Cultural Experiences

Cultural Ambiance

This program provides the opportunity for students to enjoy Florence as well as the rich cultural and social heritage found in the Tuscan setting and cities like Rome, Venice, Pisa, Bologna, and Siena. Activities include visits to Italian courts, art museums, and other facilities that further an appreciation of not only international law but also Italy's domestic institutions.

Florence, the center of the Italian Renaissance, is a showcase for the work of the Medicis, Machiavelli, Dante, Boccaccio, Fra Angelico, Donatello, Giotto, Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Cellini, creative geniuses in painting, sculpture, architecture, and literature during the Renaissance period. Students are encouraged to experience the creations of these artisans and to explore the many other cultural amenities afforded throughout Florence and its surrounding areas.

Cultural Excursions

Thanks to Penn State Dickinson's extensive network of contacts in Italy, students on this program will be able to enjoy many unique cultural experiences during their trip. Instead of having a normal tour guide through museums, you will be guided through some of the most treasured works of art by experts in the field. Rooftop potluck dinners and bike tours through the vineyards of Tuscany will provide you with new arenas in which to get to know fellow students and professors.

In addition to recognizing the importance of planned cultural activities during the program, course administrators also appreciate students' desires to have time to explore on their own. Past program participants have spent long weekends enjoying the beach on the Amalfi coast or swimming in the Blue Grotto off of the Isle of Capri. The list of optional weekend trips is limitless.

Here is a list of some of the planned activities that students have available to them during the program:

Guided walking tour of the historic areas of Florence
Dott. Franco Sottani, president of the Florence Institute for Art Restoration, will provide a guided tour of the 13th century Palazzo Vecchio, which serves as the seat of city government for Florence and is also considered one of the world's greatest art museums
Day trip to historic Siena and the famous medieval city of San Gemignano
Rooftop potluck dinner at the Residence Palazzo Ricasoli — enjoy a Florentine sunset overlooking the Tuscan countryside and the world famous Brunelleschi Duomo, while enjoying delicious dishes prepared by faculty and fellow students
Three-day trip to Rome
Tour of the world-renowned Uffizi Gallery
End-of-course gala “Buon Viaggio-Arrivederci Firenze Festa” hosted in the historic Villa Viviani in suburban Florence overlooking the Ponto Vecchio