Sustainable Development Study Abroad Programs in Italy

Spend a summer in the unforgettable capital city of Rome, Italy, with AIFS Abroad! Choose from internship opportunities in a variety of fields, with up to 7 credits awarded by Fairfield University. Plus, select from course options offered at the Global Study Center to complement your internship. The AIFS Abroad Global Study Center is centrally located in Rome’s historic center in a beautiful building in Piazza Sant’Andrea della Valle. This Internship Program provides an integrated learning experience of a high academic standard, combining classroom study with a practical work placement. It focuses on arts and tourism, preparing you with skills and expertise in management, marketing, and operations. An Internship Coordinator will advise and support you during individual meetings and seminars throughout the program. Then, take your learning outside the classroom through cultural and social activities. Past events have included: - Guided city walks - Visits to museums - Wine, pizza, and gelato tastings - Opera, ballet, and musical performances - 2-day excursion to Florence (Session 1) - 3-day trip to Sorrento, Pompeii, Naples, & Capri (Session 2 only)

Your Open Campus Block program in Rome lasts 6, 12, or 18 weeks and is designed to be completely customizable. You will enroll in CIEE courses and online courses taught through CIEE's global academic partner, ASU. Enhance your experience with co-curricular and extracurricular activities while immersing yourself in Italian culture. Live and learn in Rome! Rome is Italy’s historic, artistic capital, offering an inspiring environment for students of all disciplines. Spend 6-, 12-, or 18-weeks exploring Rome’s ancient ruins, vibrant cultural scene, and iconic landmarks like the Colosseum and Vatican City.

Make Rome your home while preparing for your future in both global and local networks. With accessible GPA requirements and an affordable price, this program is ideal for students ready to explore and engage. It’s a great fit for majors in business, communications, political science, social sciences, sustainability studies, and more. Take classes in English focused on contemporary topics in business and the social sciences. Designed to align with U.S. degree requirements, courses use case studies and field visits to examine issues within Roman, Italian, and European contexts. Earn 12–16 credits by choosing from a wide range of IFSA elective courses—all open to students without prerequisites. You can also choose to add an internship, gaining practical experience and new insight while living and learning in one of the world’s most iconic cities.

At Florence University of the Arts and the affiliated Apicius School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality, SAI offers Career Certificate Programs for students seeking to develop new skills and knowledge while building professional experience in an international learning environment. Career Certificate Programs may be taken for one session, one year, or two years. Each year is comprised of two sessions, with pre-set “core classes”. Students receive US credit for Certificate Programs through the University of South Florida.

Istituto Lorenzo de' Medici offers a variety of Certificate Programs and Special Workshops that are carefully designed with intentionally structured plans of study. These programs provide on-site educational opportunities that allow students not only to develop professional knowledge and the theoretical underpinnings of exciting fields, but also to harness creativity, artistic talent, and technical skills. Location, either Florence or Tuscania, is dependent on the individual programs. Semester Certificates: Italian Gastronomy; Balance in Nutrition; Architecture in Urban Context; Interior Design in Contemporary Living; Product Design towards Sustainability; Visual Communication for Fashion; Fashion Sustainability; Applied Integrated Media (AIM) Yearlong Certificates: Fashion Design; Fashion Marketing and Merchandising; Fine Arts; Graphic Design and Visual Communications; Interior Design; Jewelry Design; Restoration and Conservation Summer Certificates: Wine Business and Culture; Human Creativity; Global Sustainability; Branding Special Workshops: Archaeology Field School; Summer Conservation Workshop; Stop-Motion Workshop

Imagine spending your summer in the scenic, seaside city of Sorrento, the gateway to the Amalfi Coast. By day, study Italian, marine biology, volcanology, international tourism, and sustainability. Then, retreat to the romantic piazzas overlooking the sea in the evening. As you stroll the uneven cobblestone streets, stop to take in the live local music and experience amazing Italian cuisine. The Sant’Anna Institute encourages students to become members of the community during their time abroad. You can join a variety of civic engagement and service learning opportunities. Clean up a beach, help a non-profit, or teach English to locals as you make a lasting impression in Sorrento.

Experience an unforgettable summer taking classes and traveling through Europe! The Ultimate Summer in Europe program is a multi-city summer study abroad program that visits some of Europe's top cities. Classes are taught by an international team of professors who travel with you. In the evenings and on weekends, enjoy free time to explore and sightsee on your own. Make friends from around the world while gaining valuable professional and academic experience. This is Forum-Nexus! Ultimate Summer in Europe: 5 Countries, 8 Cities in 1 Month Program itinerary: Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Milan, Paris, Lugano, Verona, Riva del Garda Program dates: June 28 - July 25, 2026 Shorter sessions are also available. Don't miss our early bird discount! Visit our website for more details, including how to apply for free.

Engage with Italian food professionals and local communities to explore foodways, cultural ecologies, and sustainable agriculture practices. Experience Italy’s food systems, from Bologna’s culinary traditions to Turin’s urban food systems and the Venice lagoon ecosystem. Learn frameworks such as bioregionalism and terroir, and consider Italy’s role as the birthplace of the Slow Food movement. Observe how food insecurity is addressed through agricultural practices, sustainable food production, and social safety networks, while developing cross-cultural awareness of food’s symbolic and nutritional role. MONEY MATTERS SIT has given an average of over $1.3 million in scholarships and grants to SIT Study Abroad students in recent years and is committed to ensuring you have the information necessary to apply for such funding. Our program costs include academics, excursions, accommodations, airport transfers, and health insurance. Meal arrangements vary by program. Be sure to discuss how study abroad costs are handled at your school with your study abroad advisor and read the website for more specific information

Spend Spring (semester) or Summer 2026 in historic Florence, Italy with Authentica! Experience Italy’s leadership in sustainability, from the Slow Food movement to renewable energy, circular economy, and smart city initiatives, while exploring challenges like over-tourism and regional disparities. Engage directly through hands-on coursework, co-curricular experiences, and professional development opportunities. Explore SDG-related issues on field visits and participate in workshops, seminars, volunteering, and networking events focused on sustainable business and professional skills. Live in a shared apartment or student residence and dive into Florence’s culture with: Guided visits to major museums Market tours and cooking classes Basic Italian lessons Welcome and farewell dinners Neighborhood walking orientations One-day excursion to either a sustainable farm, a medieval Tuscan town, Bologna, Pisa, Lucca, Siena, or San Gimignano Two weekly co-curricular activities in Florence Earn up to $1,000 in flight credits and compete for SCALE scholarships covering up to 100% of program fees. Join our Changemaker Crew and advocate for purpose-driven study abroad on your campus.

The Master of Arts in Transdisciplinary Design is a second-level academic Diploma accredited by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR). This two-year, full-time course takes place in Torino and focuses on the theme “Future of Mobility.” The program’s key elements are research and experimentation, with the first year organized into three stages and the second year comprising four stages: -First Year: Foundations, Framing the Context, and Design Research -Second Year: Ideation, Development, Test, and Executive Summary & Final Exam This course is open to both designers and non-designers and to students from different academic backgrounds. Our participants come from fields of study, such as design, arts, sciences, humanities, digital technologies, and economics. They share a common motivation to use their knowledge and experience in addressing problems in a transdisciplinary environment. The language of instruction is English. This program starts each October.

Are you looking to develop the knowledge, abilities, and attitudes necessary for professional success and lifelong learning? CEA is pleased to announce our new Undergraduate Research programs at our Study Centers in Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Florence, and Seville starting in Fall 2022. No matter where you study, each program leverages the local connections and active learning opportunities of each host city. These are combined with experienced faculty and engaging classroom experiences built around specific academic disciplines. The program comprises a personalized research opportunity, an Independent Study Project course, and 3-4 additional elective courses. Overall, you may earn 12-15 credits. Classes are small to ensure close attention and courses are taught in English. Your group will take full advantage of the host city’s offerings, beyond the doors of the classroom. Eligibility for these programs are: - Minimum GPA of 2.75 - One year of university/college study by the time of application Interested in going abroad with CEA? Contact us to get started!

Are you a student or young professional looking to enhance your career prospects through international work experience and hands-on learning? At Intern Abroad HQ, we help students and young professionals turn career aspirations into reality. We organize affordable internships in 20 destinations across 24 career fields that are tailored to meet each individual’s academic, professional, or personal requirements. With over 200 internship programs across Europe, Asia, Africa, Central America and South America to choose from, and options to intern from 2 weeks to 6 months either full-time or part-time, in-country or virtually, we facilitate career-enhancing experiences that work for you, not just the host organization. Intern Abroad HQ is proudly brought to you by the team behind International Volunteer HQ. We have collectively supported over 120,000 program participants since 2007 and are the only B Corp certified provider in our field.

Spend your semester exploring the environmental and sustainability issues that shape Sicily and the surrounding Mediterranean region. Engage with local communities through field visits and excursions connected to your coursework. A project-based learning course allows you to put your ideas into action by partnering with a local organization working in the field of sustainability. Live in furnished apartments with shared bedrooms with other students on the program. Generally apartments are 2-4 bedrooms, with 4-8 students per apartment. Meals are not included, but kitchen supplies are available for you to look your own meals. Full day excursions around the island of Sicily will be included in the program fee.

Who wouldn’t want to spend the summer perched on the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast? The Sant’Anna Institute, located in Sorrento, promises breathtaking views, robust cultural exchange, and exciting academic opportunities that add up to the summer of a lifetime. With immediate proximity to both harbor and rail connections, Sant’Anna was originally founded in 1998 as a language institute, which expanded to offer study abroad experiences with courses taught in English in areas ranging from Business to Humanities, Culture to Classical Studies, Italian Language, and more. Summer students can enroll in one of three possible sessions, running from the end of May through the beginning of August, taking between 3 and 7 credits per term. Summer I and II are approximately five weeks each, and you’ll take one or two courses; Summer III encompasses the entire ten weeks of instruction, and you’ll take two to four courses. An optional internship opportunity is also available. This program welcomes students who are looking for an innovative, personalized experience in one of the world’s most inspiring study abroad destinations.

Discover a whole new world while expanding your academic knowledge and skills in Perugia, a city often called “the big university town in a small Italian city”. Classes are taught in English and you can build your semester by selecting electives from various disciplines. This is one of the best ways to ensure that your experience abroad aligns with both your personal and degree goals. You can learn more about available electives by getting in touch with us. Community engagement opportunities, excursions to famous cities and sites, and extracurricular activities (wine tastings, language exchanges) are incorporated into your courses. Our diverse faculty and friendly staff strive to integrate your study with a real Italian experience. The location of Perugia atop a hill makes for a picturesque backdrop for your study-abroad experience in Italy. It is rich in history, architecture, and art and is recognized internationally as a city of learning. Plus, it offers easy access to equally beautiful Italian destinations – Florence, Rome, Siena, Assisi, and Cortona. Its international airport can take you to destinations like London and Brussels.

The NECAFlorence Program provides a unique opportunity to study, earn university credits, and experience Italian culture firsthand. Interdisciplinary courses based on experiential learning at NECAFlorence are designed to stimulate students’ interests and to challenge their way of thinking. Small group courses assure a high level of individual attention. Highly-qualified teaching staff. Throughout your stay, you will gain an intimate understanding of Italian and Florentine culture and life. Students must be over the age of 18 to join. Non-traditional participants should contact NECAFlorence for eligibility details. The NECA Scholarship Program has been developed to assist highly motivated students (enrolled in 2-year or 4-year institutions) and adults with academic merit and/or who do not have enough financial resources.

Study human rights where global migration meets the Mediterranean. Build a strong academic foundation in migration, asylum, and human rights while learning directly from the people and organizations working on the front lines. As a key hub for Mediterranean migration, Sicily offers a powerful, real-world classroom, connecting you with NGOs, institutions, and migrant communities engaged in this crucial global issue. Three-week courses Migration, Human Rights & the Media 3-week session 3 credits | 45 contact hours Related disciplines: Humanities, Political Science & Politics, Human Rights Advocacy International Human Rights Law 3-week session 3 credits | 45 contact hours Related disciplines: Pre-Law, International Policy & Diplomacy, Human Rights Advocacy Add a research component (extend to six weeks) Research in Sicily Deepen your learning by designing and carrying out your own research project on a topic you care about. 6-week session 4 credits | 60 contact hours Related disciplines: Pre-Law, International Policy & Diplomacy, Human Rights Advocacy, Humanities, Political Science & Politics

SILK Summer School is built around four fundamental pillars that define the unique ecosystem of Lake Como: Sustainability: From environmental responsibility to circular economy in high-end textile production. Innovation: Exploring how creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship transform traditional industries into global leaders. Legacy: Understanding how cultural heritage and historic identity drive modern design and urban regeneration. Knowledge: Mastering the "Design Thinking" mindset to create impactful solutions for the future. The course is held in the city center of Como and features a dynamic mix of classroom sessions and field excursions.

Join IFR on the stunning coast of Sardinia to conduct cutting-edge research on dolphin behavior and investigate human impacts on marine ecosystems. In this immersive study abroad program, you’ll join expert-led surveys to monitor dolphin populations in Alghero’s marine protected areas, using bioacoustic technology to analyze underwater soundscapes. Back on land, work with fishers and tourists to identify and promote sustainable practices within these key local industries. With Sardinia’s spirited culture and wild beauty as your classroom, this is a summer you’ll never forget!

The Master’s in Economics and Technologies of Sustainability is an interdisciplinary program combining economics, natural sciences, and technology to prepare professionals for global sustainability challenges. Students gain skills to address resource scarcity, energy transitions, circular economies, carbon neutrality and negativity, waste valorization, certification systems, and the socio-political dimensions of sustainability. Courses cover resource and environmental economics, sustainable production technologies, energy generation and storage, and sustainability-driven business strategies. The program emphasizes both theoretical foundations and hands-on practice through specialized labs and innovative teaching methods, designed to foster high student engagement. Graduates become Sustainability Specialists or Tech-Economists, able to bridge economic and technological solutions for sustainable development in private companies, public institutions, and consultancy. Admission requires prior knowledge in economics and science, ensuring a solid background for tackling sustainability from multiple perspectives.