The Lorenzo de’Medici (LdM) Tuscania campus is located in the historic hilltop town of Tuscania in central Italy. The program offers students an opportunity for cultural immersion while taking classes in the fine arts, social sciences, and Italian language and culture. Due to Tuscania’s small size and its geographic location, students live and study in a fully Italian and a more traditional small community-based environment.
LdM’s Tuscania building is situated in the old town center and holds reading rooms, classrooms, an exhibition space, studios, a library, a courtyard, and a computer room. The program encourages an integrated learning atmosphere and actively uses the amenities of the town as an extension of the campus.
Tuscania is a picturesque town in the Lazio region of central Italy, south of Florence and not far from Rome. The beautiful countryside surrounding the town forms part of a nationally protected nature reserve, and has one of the richest collections of archaeological remains in the world. The town is strategically positioned for quick trips to the beach, to volcanic lakes and hot springs, as well as for visits to the nearby towns of Viterbo and Tarquinia. In addition, the central location allows for easy access to Rome, Florence, Siena, Pisa and Assisi for day trips.
Academic Information: Maximum of 15 U.S. credits per semester / 6 U.S. credits per summer / 3 U.S. credits per Minimester. All students participating in the TU in Italy program at LdM Tuscania in the fall or spring are required to enroll in an Italian language class during their semester abroad. Service-learning opportunities available. TU students may receive Honors College credit for their study abroad experience.
Language of Instruction: English (except for Italian language courses).
Excursions: LdM offers a range of academic and cultural optional excursions during the semester which students may participate in for an additional fee. Summer students may have one optional excursion each term which they may participate in for an additional fee. There are no optional excursions offered during Minimester, but students may participate in optional cultural activities.
Housing: Semester or year-long students can opt to live in shared apartments or homestays organized through LdM. These housing options have different costs and students should review the “Costs” section below for more information. Students can indicate their preferred housing option and LdM will do its best to accommodate all requests; however, no housing requests are guaranteed. Summer students live in shared apartments organized through LdM. Minimester students live in a double-occupancy bedroom at a B&B.
Apartments are furnished and usually consist of 2-4 double-occupancy bedrooms, a living area, kitchen and bathroom. Bed linens and access to a washing machine are provided in apartments. Utilities are included in the program cost. Please note that excessive use of utilities (over $75 per month) will result in additional fees.
Homestays are with local residents. Students typically share a bedroom with another student, and there are 2-4 students per homestay. Homestays include a continental breakfast (bread, butter, milk, coffee/tea) and dinner with the family from Monday to Friday (except during semester break). Students do not have use of the kitchen, and should expect to purchase their lunches.
Dates: Fall: September - December Minimester: January
Spring: January - May Academic Year: September - May Summer I: June Summer II: July
Costs:* Spring 2013 (apartment option): $9,700 Spring 2013 (homestay option): $10,200 Fall 2013 (apartment option): $9,700 Fall 2013 (homestay option): $10,200 Spring 2014 (apartment option): $9,700 Spring 2014 (homestay option): $10,200
Cost includes academic credit (maximum 15 credits), housing, airport pick up from Rome-Fiumicino and bus transfer to Tuscania on day of arrival, health insurance, and orientation. Homestay option also includes five breakfasts and dinners with the family per week. Additional costs include airfare, local transportation, meals, visa and passport fees, personal expenses, a $300 housing deposit, any additional class fees, sand a $300 study abroad fee.
Minimester 2014: $3,550
Cost includes academic credit (maximum 6 credits), housing, daily
continental breakfast (bread, butter, milk, coffee/tea),
one meal voucher for lunch or dinner in local bars/restaurants (Monday to Thursday only),
airport pick up from Rome-Fiumicino and bus transfer to Tuscania on day of arrival, health insurance, and orientation. Additional costs include airfare, local transportation, all other meals, visa and passport fees, personal expenses, a $300 housing deposit, any additional class fees, and a $150 study abroad fee.
Summer 2014 (per session) (apartment option): $4,000 Summer 2014 (per session) (homestay option): $4,200
Cost includes academic credit (maximum 6 credits), housing, one meal voucher for lunch or dinner in local bars/restaurants (Monday to Thursday only), airport pick up from Rome-Fiumicino and bus transfer to Tuscania on day of arrival, health insurance, and orientation. Homestay option also includes five breakfasts and dinners with the family per week. Additional costs include airfare, local transportation, all other meals, visa and passport fees, personal expenses, a $300 housing deposit, any additional class fees, and a $150 study abroad fee.
*The Towson University Study Abroad Office reserves the right to make any necessary changes including adjustments in cost in the event that unforeseen circumstances arise.
Eligibility: Must be a full-time undergraduate degree-seeking student with an overall GPA of 2.8. Sophomore/Junior/Senior status. No previous knowledge of the Italian language required.
Application Process: Fill out the application and submit it to the TU Study Abroad Office. $50 application fee. Non-TU students must also submit a completed Non-Degree Enrollment Application.
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