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Italy

Dates

May 20 – June 17, 2024

Cost

$5,395 + airfare
Scholarships & Financial Aid

Subjects

Fashion Design & Merchandising, Art & Drawing, English, Italian Humanism, Honors

Deadlines

Dec. 1: Apply Early & Save $100
Feb. 5: Regular Deadline 

Program Overview

The KIIS summer program in Italy begins in the Oltrarno quarter of Florence with an exploration of the Renaissance city’s world-class art and architecture and surroundings. It then moves to the Trastevere district of the ancient and modern capital of Rome, visiting museums, classical ruins, historic churches, palaces and other destinations. By investigating Italian art and history and taking part in the local culture, students become acquainted with the Italian people, their culture and their way of life.

Note: Studying abroad likely is more physically strenuous than you are used to at home. KIIS study abroad programs typically involve approx. 5-10 miles of walking (approx. 10,000-20,000 steps) or the like in a day, including the possibility of walking, hiking, and climbing stairs in heat and humidity, over elevations at higher altitudes, and over rocky terrain. See Health & Wellness for more information.

Language Requirement: None. All courses are taught in English. 

Accommodations: Hotel, 3-5 people per room.

OrientationMandatory orientation on Saturday, April 13, 2024 in Bowling Green, KY. See Orientation for more information.

Courses

All courses are taught in English and are 3 credit hours. You may enroll in 1-2 courses. Courses are divided into 2 time-blocks. You cannot select 2 courses in the same time block.

Block 1

ITAL 105 Introduction to Italian Culture

Dr. Erik Liddell

This introduction to Italian culture and history focuses on the many ways in which Italians—artists, writers, composers, architects, scientists and more—have contributed to world civilization, emphasizing connections with program cities and sites including Florence and Rome. The course explores highlights from the classical age through the medieval period and the Renaissance, and up to the modern age and contemporary life.

IDFM 426 Fashion Design Market Trends

Dr. RayeCarol Cavender

This course provides a survey of trend forecasting for fashion and related industries. Students will become acquainted with the guiding frameworks that are employed to understand and predict fashion change and will examine the integral role that social, cultural, and contextual indicators play in the forecasting process. Students will put learning to practice through the completion of assignments that will require the identification, analysis, and interpretation, of existing and emerging fashion trends.

ART 340 Drawing III

Prof. Kevin Gardner

This intermediate-level course is designed for students to integrate personal research into image making through a variety of drawing materials and processes. Much of our time will be spent with on-site drawing at important locations throughout Italy, and by the end of this course, students will have produced an artist’s sketchbook as a record of their time abroad.

Block 2

ENG 290/HON 300 Topics: Creativity and Identity in Rome and Florence

Prof. Kelly Liddell

This course engages students with particularities of Italian social life and cultural identity through selected readings, self-guided explorations, interactive encounters, creative responses and current events reports, and through group activities such as place-as-text observations and analyses of the thriving cultural spaces and distinctive neighborhoods of Rome and Florence.

IDFM 432 Visual Merchandising and Promotion

Dr. RayeCarol Cavender

This course provides students with knowledge of the strategic purpose of retail atmospherics and an understanding of how visual merchandising serves as an effective sales strategy through appeals to consumers’ affiliations, emotions and intellects. Italy provides a unique opportunity for experiential learning due to its recognition as a global fashion center.

ART 102 Introduction to Making Art & Making Meaning

Prof. Kevin Gardner

While introducing some foundational ideas in drawing, this class is designed for students with limited previous drawing experience who wish to engage directly with the artistic traditions they will see around them in Italy. At the end of the course, students will have produced a travel sketchbook as a record of their drawing observations and time traveling.

All KIIS course credit is awarded by Western Kentucky University. Prior to your KIIS program, please speak with your home campus academic advisor and/or study abroad office to determine course equivalencies. Grades will be transferred to your home institution in mid-August after the completion of the program. Course offerings are subject to change according to enrollment. For more information, visit Transcripts & Grades.

Program Excursions

Venice (independent)

Students may take an independent day trip to Venice, the capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region. Once the capital of the maritime empire, the city is built on islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. Here the canals lined with Renaissance and Gothic palaces offer an unparalleled experience whether walking alongside the canals or taking a ride in a gondola.

Fiesole Etruscan Ruins

We take a day to leave the hustle-bustle of Florence for the nearby hill-town of Fiesole. There we tour the ruins of a settlement occupied by the ancient Etruscans and Romans. We have lunch in town, walk its charming streets, and hold classes on the piazza before returning to our Florence hotel.

Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica

Vatican City is considered to be the center of the Roman Catholic Church and home to the Pope. The KIIS group will visit St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum, all of which are the most popular landmarks of Vatican City.

Florence Cathedral Dome

The Duomo is the main cathedral of Florence. With its famous cupola (dome) designed and engineered by Brunelleschi, fascade, baptistery and campanile, it is one of the most memorable landmarks in the world.

Uffizi & Accademia Galleries

The Uffizi and Accademia Galleries showcase some of the most important artworks created during the Italian Renaissance. Home to famous artworks, such as, Michelangelo's David, Botticelli's Birth of Venus and countless others, students will experience these masterpieces firsthand.

Roman Forum & the Colosseum

The Colosseum and Roman Forum are some of the most important landmarks of western civilization. We will spend time exploring these ancient ruins that were once the center of the world and that have captivated our collective imagination ever since.

What's Included

Program Cost: $5,395 + airfare

Earn up to 6 Credit Hours

Group Flight (Optional)

Airport Transfers in Italy

Accommodations

1 Meal per Day

Groups Excursions & Transport

Security Evacuation Protection

Medical Insurance

Program Director & Faculty
on-site 24/7

To help you budget, keep in mind that you are responsible for the cost of obtaining a passport ($165), two meals per day + personal expenses (approx. $600-$1200 depending on your food tastes/spending habits/optional independent travel preferences), any class readings/materials, and any fees from your college/university.

Although KIIS tries to foresee all possible expenses in formulating program fees, please note that dramatic fluctuations in foreign currency valuations and/or airline surcharges may affect the total cost of the program.

Group Flight

Estimated Cost: $2,200 – $2,300

The KIIS Italy program offers a group flight option where you can travel to/from Italy with other students and faculty. If you choose this option, KIIS will purchase a round-trip flight ticket for you. The flight cost will be added to your final program fee on April 1. The group flight will depart from Cincinnati or Louisville.

If not selecting the group flight, you are responsible to purchase your own roundtrip airfare.

The flight to Florence, Italy is overnight, arriving the following morning. On the return, the flight from Rome, Italy to the USA departs and arrives on the same day. Visit Flights and Passports & Visas for more information.

Student Voices

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Description

Dates

May 20 – June 17, 2024

Cost

$5,395 + airfare
Scholarships & Financial Aid

Subjects

Fashion Design & Merchandising, Art & Drawing, English, Italian Humanism, Honors

Deadlines

Dec. 1: Apply Early & Save $100
Feb. 5: Regular Deadline 

Program Overview

The KIIS summer program in Italy begins in the Oltrarno quarter of Florence with an exploration of the Renaissance city’s world-class art and architecture and surroundings. It then moves to the Trastevere district of the ancient and modern capital of Rome, visiting museums, classical ruins, historic churches, palaces and other destinations. By investigating Italian art and history and taking part in the local culture, students become acquainted with the Italian people, their culture and their way of life.

Note: Studying abroad likely is more physically strenuous than you are used to at home. KIIS study abroad programs typically involve approx. 5-10 miles of walking (approx. 10,000-20,000 steps) or the like in a day, including the possibility of walking, hiking, and climbing stairs in heat and humidity, over elevations at higher altitudes, and over rocky terrain. See Health & Wellness for more information.

Language Requirement: None. All courses are taught in English. 

Accommodations: Hotel, 3-5 people per room.

OrientationMandatory orientation on Saturday, April 13, 2024 in Bowling Green, KY. See Orientation for more information.

Courses

All courses are taught in English and are 3 credit hours. You may enroll in 1-2 courses. Courses are divided into 2 time-blocks. You cannot select 2 courses in the same time block.

Block 1

ITAL 105 Introduction to Italian Culture

Dr. Erik Liddell

This introduction to Italian culture and history focuses on the many ways in which Italians—artists, writers, composers, architects, scientists and more—have contributed to world civilization, emphasizing connections with program cities and sites including Florence and Rome. The course explores highlights from the classical age through the medieval period and the Renaissance, and up to the modern age and contemporary life.

IDFM 426 Fashion Design Market Trends

Dr. RayeCarol Cavender

This course provides a survey of trend forecasting for fashion and related industries. Students will become acquainted with the guiding frameworks that are employed to understand and predict fashion change and will examine the integral role that social, cultural, and contextual indicators play in the forecasting process. Students will put learning to practice through the completion of assignments that will require the identification, analysis, and interpretation, of existing and emerging fashion trends.

ART 340 Drawing III

Prof. Kevin Gardner

This intermediate-level course is designed for students to integrate personal research into image making through a variety of drawing materials and processes. Much of our time will be spent with on-site drawing at important locations throughout Italy, and by the end of this course, students will have produced an artist’s sketchbook as a record of their time abroad.

Block 2

ENG 290/HON 300 Topics: Creativity and Identity in Rome and Florence

Prof. Kelly Liddell

This course engages students with particularities of Italian social life and cultural identity through selected readings, self-guided explorations, interactive encounters, creative responses and current events reports, and through group activities such as place-as-text observations and analyses of the thriving cultural spaces and distinctive neighborhoods of Rome and Florence.

IDFM 432 Visual Merchandising and Promotion

Dr. RayeCarol Cavender

This course provides students with knowledge of the strategic purpose of retail atmospherics and an understanding of how visual merchandising serves as an effective sales strategy through appeals to consumers’ affiliations, emotions and intellects. Italy provides a unique opportunity for experiential learning due to its recognition as a global fashion center.

ART 102 Introduction to Making Art & Making Meaning

Prof. Kevin Gardner

While introducing some foundational ideas in drawing, this class is designed for students with limited previous drawing experience who wish to engage directly with the artistic traditions they will see around them in Italy. At the end of the course, students will have produced a travel sketchbook as a record of their drawing observations and time traveling.

All KIIS course credit is awarded by Western Kentucky University. Prior to your KIIS program, please speak with your home campus academic advisor and/or study abroad office to determine course equivalencies. Grades will be transferred to your home institution in mid-August after the completion of the program. Course offerings are subject to change according to enrollment. For more information, visit Transcripts & Grades.

Program Excursions

Venice (independent)

Students may take an independent day trip to Venice, the capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region. Once the capital of the maritime empire, the city is built on islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. Here the canals lined with Renaissance and Gothic palaces offer an unparalleled experience whether walking alongside the canals or taking a ride in a gondola.

Fiesole Etruscan Ruins

We take a day to leave the hustle-bustle of Florence for the nearby hill-town of Fiesole. There we tour the ruins of a settlement occupied by the ancient Etruscans and Romans. We have lunch in town, walk its charming streets, and hold classes on the piazza before returning to our Florence hotel.

Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica

Vatican City is considered to be the center of the Roman Catholic Church and home to the Pope. The KIIS group will visit St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum, all of which are the most popular landmarks of Vatican City.

Florence Cathedral Dome

The Duomo is the main cathedral of Florence. With its famous cupola (dome) designed and engineered by Brunelleschi, fascade, baptistery and campanile, it is one of the most memorable landmarks in the world.

Uffizi & Accademia Galleries

The Uffizi and Accademia Galleries showcase some of the most important artworks created during the Italian Renaissance. Home to famous artworks, such as, Michelangelo's David, Botticelli's Birth of Venus and countless others, students will experience these masterpieces firsthand.

Roman Forum & the Colosseum

The Colosseum and Roman Forum are some of the most important landmarks of western civilization. We will spend time exploring these ancient ruins that were once the center of the world and that have captivated our collective imagination ever since.

What's Included

Program Cost: $5,395 + airfare

Earn up to 6 Credit Hours

Group Flight (Optional)

Airport Transfers in Italy

Accommodations

1 Meal per Day

Groups Excursions & Transport

Security Evacuation Protection

Medical Insurance

Program Director & Faculty
on-site 24/7

To help you budget, keep in mind that you are responsible for the cost of obtaining a passport ($165), two meals per day + personal expenses (approx. $600-$1200 depending on your food tastes/spending habits/optional independent travel preferences), any class readings/materials, and any fees from your college/university.

Although KIIS tries to foresee all possible expenses in formulating program fees, please note that dramatic fluctuations in foreign currency valuations and/or airline surcharges may affect the total cost of the program.

Group Flight

Estimated Cost: $2,200 – $2,300

The KIIS Italy program offers a group flight option where you can travel to/from Italy with other students and faculty. If you choose this option, KIIS will purchase a round-trip flight ticket for you. The flight cost will be added to your final program fee on April 1. The group flight will depart from Cincinnati or Louisville.

If not selecting the group flight, you are responsible to purchase your own roundtrip airfare.

The flight to Florence, Italy is overnight, arriving the following morning. On the return, the flight from Rome, Italy to the USA departs and arrives on the same day. Visit Flights and Passports & Visas for more information.

Student Voices

Related Posts

Take Your Education Further

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