Summer Exchange Programs - Italy

Age Range:

Birth Date Range:

Travel Dates:

Application Deadline: March 15, 2012

Italy Summer Sculpture Program

Spend five unforgettable weeks in Italy over the summer learning Italian language, culture, and sculpture on the Tuscan seaside in the heart of the marble capital of the world - Massa Carrara.

Program Details

After attending the Gateway Orientation in New York, you and your fellow AFSers will fly to Rome. Upon arrival, you will be met by AFS Italy volunteers and staff who will escort you to the arrival orientation site. During the first evening, you will get an overview of the program along with detailed information regarding the 3-week sculpture course and tips on adjusting to life in Italy. The next day you will begin your homestay with a host family, in or around Massa Carrarra, your new home for the summer.

The first 3 weeks will be a mix of morning classes (usually from 9a - 1p each weekday) and free-time in the afternoons. AFS has partnered with a local art institute to offer a hands-on sculpture course to learn the theory and the practice of sculpture. No prior sculpting experience is necessary; all you need is the will to learn and try. Each participant will have their own piece of marble to work on.  At the end of the program, you may be able to bring your sculpture home with you - as long as you can fit it in your luggage!

During these 3 weeks, you'll also attend Italian language lessons to help you communicate with your host family and new friends. Beginners are welcome to participate in the program; no previous Italian speaking ability is required in order for you to participate in the program but we encourage you to learn as much as possible before departure. After your morning classes, you will be free to spend the afternoons with your host families or to take part in excursions to explore the surrounding area and nearby places of interest.

The next 2 weeks are all about your host family. Your time is free to spend with your host family in their normal everyday life and activities. This is your opportunity to immerse yourself in Italian life and culture.

The final 3 days of the program will be spent in Rome, the "Eternal City", visiting the amazing ruins of the "Fori Imperiali" in the centre of Rome, the Coloseum, Vatican City, St. Peter’s Cathedral, and other famous Roman sites of historical interest. You'll also have an End-of-Stay Orientation to help you evaluate your program, reflect on your experience, and prepare for your return home.

Eligibility

To participate in this program, you must:

• Be within the age range at the start of the program (age range located above)
• Have a passing GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
• Be mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy in accordance with the AFS Medical Evaluation Policies
• Have an open mind, willingness to be flexible, and the ability to adapt to new a culture, school, and environment
• Be in possession or have applied for a U.S. passport at the time of application.
• Vegetarians are difficult to place. The more flexible you are, the easier it is to place you (i.e. if you eat white meat and fish).