Earth Sciences Study Abroad Programs in Italy

My experience studying abroad in Molise Italy was absolutely life-changing. I learned so much about culture, made lifetime, friendships, and endless memories. Getting to experience the culture and beauty of Molise was the absolute highlight of my summer.

Molise Italian Studies responded to this reviewJuly 21, 2026

Grazie, Breanna! Colli really is beautiful and it's such a great partnership!

The Molise Italian Studies program was a wonderful way to be immersed in the Molise region, some of the Puglia region, and Rome. By visiting some of the smaller, lesser-known areas in these regions, I got to see firsthand how people live, work, and support their communities through the activities and social work experiences. I can say I grew as a person and have a new outlook on my everyday life at home. It was evident that Italians in these regions value community and connection. I appreciated the opportunities to participate in activities at some of the agencies, such as at LAI and in Capracotta, rather than simply observing the activity. Our tour leader, Andrea, was kind, patient, organized, and knowledgeable throughout the entire trip.

Molise Italian Studies responded to this reviewJuly 05, 2026

Grazie, Maggie! We are so glad to hear this trip made such an impact on you, and we can't wait to hear about your plans moving forward!

I had an absolutely amazing time; I made so many incredible memories that I truly won't ever forget. The friendships I made were so awesome, and the opportunities to experience true culture were life-changing. Both of my professors were absolutely wonderful, and our guide was incredible. Everyone was so amazing and truly tried their best to give us the most rewarding experience possible, and they exceeded my dreams.

Molise Italian Studies responded to this reviewJuly 05, 2026

Grazie, Alex!

Myself and my colleague brought a group of ten university students on a trip with Molise, and we could not be happier! Our guides were knowledgeable and kind. Every single person we encountered along the way as we traveled was welcoming and gracious. So many laughs were shared amongst our students and the Italian community, and we never once felt as if we were not in steady, capable hands with the company. Upon returning home from Italy, we immediately arranged our next trip with Scott and Megan, and plan to continue this trip regularly to allow students to continue to experience all the amazing things our first group did.

Molise Italian Studies responded to this reviewJuly 05, 2026

Thank you, Jen! Looking forward to working with Wilkes again in 2027!

As a student who dreamed of going abroad for years, I never considered a trip like this would be at my fingertips. Many know that traveling abroad is a big decision because it involves location costs return of investment and with being in school of the timeline of when it’s going to happen. I decided to make my minor Hotel restaurant management sophomore year of college, but wasn’t sure of how I was still going to make my broad dream come true. Fall semester of 2024 when I was in one of my HRM studies I wondered what options there could be to study the subject abroad. That’s when I discovered the Molise Italian Studies program NAU in Italy: Economics of Gastronomy. After promptly siding up, I was introduced to a fully guided program with pre-arrival meetings that fully explained the details and necessary precautions of going abroad. Which included an itinerary of the daily activities the lessons that would be focused on and places of accommodation. All details, which transferred extremely well into the actual trip. Each lesson was fully in depth and offered different opportunities. My favorite day was probably the day we visited Di Iorio Tartufi - Italian Truffle where we learned how truffles were safely found and made into a meal. I came home with at least 5 jars!! I highly enjoyed the environment, the greenery, and absolutely the delicious assortment of truffle products. At the end of the day, this program offered me a week of excitement and verity of locations across molise. I couldn’t have asked for a better program to introduce me to the world of traveling.

Molise Italian Studies responded to this reviewJuly 05, 2026

Grazie, Cialyn! So glad to be a part of your HRM journey (& we dream of truffles too)!

I had a great experience with Siena Italian Studies. The program had wonderful teachers and I was incredibly immersed in Italian language and culture. Our host family was welcoming, friendly, and supportive. Siena remains one of my favorite places in Italy. I can’t wait to visit again!

Studying in Siena through SIS was the single best decision I’ve ever made for myself. Living with a host family allowed me to truly immerse myself in the culture and - more importantly - make connections that will last a lifetime. My language skills skyrocketed, and I learned so much about history, chemistry, and more. I envy anybody who gets to go.

I feel I truly grew so much as a person from my time abroad. I became more independent, confident, and made relationships to last a life time. Aside from learning a new language, I learned countless life experiences that I will use for the rest of my life.

I loved every moment of this program, from the hands-on field activities to learning Italian and meeting students from all over the world. It was not only educational but also a lot of fun. Highly recommend to anyone passionate about environmental science and sustainability.

As an Environmental Sciences major, this program was incredibly enriching. The hands-on activities and the capstone project on environmental sustainability provided real-world experience that's hard to come by. Also, the opportunity to learn Italian and interact with a diverse group of students added so much value.

Mixing marine biology studies with snorkeling and boat trips around Syracuse's coast was unreal. Saw some amazing sea life and got to chill on some of the most beautiful beaches during our downtime. Study sessions by the sea? Can't beat that.

This summer program perfectly blended academic rigor with adventure. Visiting Mt. Etna and the Aeolian Islands for field studies was beyond educational. However, I wished for more in-depth sessions on marine biology. Overall, the multicultural environment and earning college credits were major pluses.

The Environment and Biodiversity program in Sicily was a life-changing experience. Exploring ecosystems from the coast to Mount Etna offered unparalleled learning opportunities. The mix of theoretical knowledge and fieldwork, especially the capstone project, was perfect for hands-on learning. Also, learning Italian was a bonus!

If you're into nature and sustainability, this is your jam. We were out in the field more than in class, which was sick. Seeing conservation efforts up close and getting to contribute? Priceless. Plus, the local scene in Syracuse is chill and super welcoming.

I would definitely say that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity! There are so many things that we were able to do on this trip that I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to if I had just gone on vacation to Italy. We got to meet so many new individuals and build strong connections with them. We were also able to see so many wonderful sights and learn so much about the culture! Would 100% recommend!

In the moment, this experience felt like A LOT. A lot was happening all the time and it can be really overwhelming at times. But I think this goes back to something we learned while there. That is putting yourself in your panic zone so that you can get to your learning zone. Since returning, I would not change a single thing about this trip. Every hardship was a learning experience and I will have these lessons and memories forever. It's so cliche but I really feel like this trip opened my eyes to new perspectives and different ways of life and honestly made me care more about people with different backgrounds and worldwide issues.

I can not say enough good things about SIS. It was the best time of my life. I participated in Summer 2022 and it was incredible. It was awesome seeing the events leading up to the Palio and the palio itself. We had 10 people total for the first summer after covid and we all became very close and took weekend trips together. The staff is so supportive and nice. They really challenge you to learn. I will say you need to be a more motivated student to do this program, especially if you do not know Italian because the courses are taught in Italian. However, I really enjoyed this aspect coming in as a beginner as I was able to see myself improve. My host family was so sweet and I loved living with them. I think about my summer abroad every day and am constantly wishing I could go back. If you have the chance to do this program....do it!!

I took the gap year program in the spring 2022 semester. In spite the limitations posed by of the pandemic, SIS' wonderful team staff managed to organize excursions and activities so I feel like I got to know Tuscany and Italy well. really liked our classes as they were extremely hands-on and the topics we learned had much to do with what we were experiencing, like medieval History and art. The service learning/volunteering experience was also great as I got to interact with local vulnerable communities and practice my Italian. My favorite part was the host family. I feel like it really helped me to improve my Italian by a lot, and I created a stronger bond with Italy and learn more about the culture. My host family was always extremely nice, making me feel comfortable 100% of the time, and the food at their home was amazing.

I did Siena Italian Studies about 5 years ago and I think about my experience every single day. I have returned a few times and everyone is so friendly and welcoming even still. It’s really a family. The activities that we did were so amazing like when we went to the alps to ski, had a wine tasting class, and went to the beach. Our program set us up with awesome families that fed us well. Our classes were as challenging as you wanted them. There were some offered for beginning Italian learners and some for intermediate and advanced. In the end you get to take the CILS exam which is really nice because you have some documented proof you actually learned some Italian! This program was one of the highlights of my life so far!

I spent a spring semester with Siena Italian Studies as a gap year student when I was 19 years old and I can tell you that this is the best study abroad program you can attend. I didn't know any Italian when I left for Siena and when I came back for college in the US I chose it as my major and received my degree in Italian Studies. It doesn't matter if you are a beginner or already advanced in Italian, Siena provides the perfect setting for learning or improving your language skills. The teaching at Siena Italian Studies is also unmatched. The Town of Siena Siena is the perfect town in which to live. It is relatively small, which makes getting around town a breeze. The people of Siena are also extremely kind and always willing to help you out. Siena is absolutely beautiful and is in the center of Italy's best wine regions. The food and wine is unparalleled and the hospitality makes you feel right at home. Host Families SIS is well connected with many families that host the students. The program has had long relationships with all of the host families, so the families know how to handle exchange students very well. I loved living with my host family and they made me feel right at home. I still keep in touch with them constantly and visit when I can after six years. Host families are also extremely helpful in practicing Italian and learning more about Italian culture, things to do in Siena, etc. Classes The classes are very well taught and the course subjects are extremely interesting. I was able to take a business class that actually introduced me to the business school in Milan where I now attend. The language classes may seem like a lot, but it is all worth it. From knowing no Italian at the beginning, I was able to have detailed conversations with my host family near the end of the semester. SIS Administration Siena Italian Studies makes it extremely easy for students to get their visas, permit of stays, bus passes, etc. In fact, the organization pretty much takes care of everything. These processes are not very easy and now living in Milan and doing them myself, I can see how lucky I was to have had SIS take care of most of the administrative issues for me. As I said before, SIS is also extremely well connected with the Siena community, so if you have any opportunities or worries in mind, just ask them because I'm sure they will know someone in the town to help out! Do not hesitate to study abroad with Siena Italian Studies. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had!