International Study Experience in Rondine, Tuscany

Deadline to apply TBD.

UWO Study abroad at Rondine is a program promoted by the University of Western Ontario and its partnerships with Huron University College, King's University College and the Rondine Cittadella della pace institution. The program is aimed at any student enrolled at Western and its affiliates interested in pursuing the study of Italian language and culture at the beginning and intermediate level and with an interest in international relations, peace building, conflict resolution and intercultural competence.

The association "Rondine Cittadella della pace" is an international organization established in 1997 in order to promote dialogue and conflict resolution through education, fostering social change. It is an Italian NGO nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2015 for its outstanding international commitment it was awarded the Luxenbourg Peace Prize for Outstanding Peace Education in June 2016. The core project of Rondine Cittadella della pace is the cohabitation of young women and men who come from countries in conflict and from different cultures. Rondine helps them to become global citizens, and young leaders able to develop concrete social, political and economic projects leading to social change. It is located in a picturesque Tuscan region in Italy believed to be the backdrop to Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. 

Western students have the opportunity to study and live alongside a group of international graduate students in a Medieval Italian town where they will experience global academic engagement in a truly novel and stimulating environment. On top of UWO academic curricula, students may attend local conferences and events focusing on subjects such as human rights, international law, forced migration, war crimes, and conflict resolution. The quality of the instruction, combined with the variety of study options available and the global setting constituted by international students who are permanently on location, make Rondine an incomparable institution for this International Study Experience.

Students will also acquire language skills as they learn Italian in its original setting, and gain intercultural communication abilities that will resonate with them both in their personal lives and future professional careers,  making friends throughout the process. They will be immersed in Italian culture in the heart of Tuscany through daily interactions with native speakers, and through the screening of films, the study of pop songs, and the reading of some examples of non-fictional texts in the classroom. 

The activities will take place in May at Rondine Citadella della Pace, Tuscany, Italy, while the participants will stay in the city of Arezzo. 

Throughout the week, morning courses will be followed by a lunch break with further cultural activities or time to study during the afternoon. Students will share common meals, housing in Arezzo, and be involved in sightseeing and other practical activities during the weekends. The courses will last one, three or four weeks (depending on the course).  

Any student enrolled at Western (Affiliates included) interested in pursuing the study of Italian language and culture at the beginner and intermediate levels. Western's Italian Studies program has partnered with the Social Justice program at King’s University College to also offer the seminar Ital 3040. The course will last three weeks and will combine frontal lessons, active working groups, and non formal training activities. 

Course offerings are listed below and prerequisite information is listed in the Academic Calendar. Please contact Sarah Brennan for permissions assistance or any other questions.

Upon successful completion of this course students can earn 0.5 or 1.0 credits for the following courses or course combinations (Note: students cannot take ITA 1045/1046 and ITA 2202 in the same year):

ITA 1045 Italian for Travellers I (0.5 credits; 1.0 credits with Italian 1046 or Italian 3040/SJSP 2277)
The Italian for Travellers I course is an accelerated and full immersion course lasting one week, that will include 34 hours of Italian language instruction (plus 6 hours during pre-departure meetings, held during the Winter term) and will be taught as a full-time, intensive learning experience. Register for Italian 1045B, listed in the Winter term.

ITA 1046 Italian for Travellers II (0.5 credits; 1.0 credits with Italian 1045)
Students of Italian for Travellers I would also be eligible to take an additional 0.5 credit course, Italian for Travellers II, running for a further three weeks, Monday to Friday for two hours a day on average (30 hours) plus 10 hours of Rondine's weekly seminars for a total of 40 contact hours. Register for Italian 1046B, listed in Intersession.

ITA 2202 Intermediate Italian in Italy (1.0 credits)
Designed for students with a basic knowledge of Italian, the course builds upon this knowledge placing emphasis on the development of effective oral and written skills in a real-life environment. The primary objective is that students learn how to communicate their ideas with clarity in a variety of settings. The course will last four weeks, students will be in class for 4 hours a day for 5 days a week. This course has a Community-engaged learning component.
Register for Italian 2202X, listed in the Winter term.

ITA 3040/SJPS 3211 Studies at Rondine Cittadella della Pace (0.5 credits, 1.0 credits with Italian 1045)
Students will have the opportunity to attend seminars, classes, or conferences organized in Rondine which focus onvarious aspects of human rights, international law, war crimes, genocides, and conflict resolution.
The curriculum is taught in a combination of Italian (for language and culture courses) and English (for the seminar in social justice, contemporary migration and peace building). Register for Italian 3040B, listed in the Winter term.

1. Review the program information above and the Academic Calendar course requirements
2. Register and attend the info session for more details and to ask any questions
3. Apply for the program through the Western International Atlas portal
4. Once approved, enroll in the applicable course codes for Winter/Intercession sessions on the Student Center website. Please contact Sarah Brennan for permissions assistance or any other questions

Who can apply?
Any student enrolled at Western and its affiliated University Colleges.

How long can I go for?
Depending on the course, from a minimum of 1 week to a maximum of 4 weeks, in May.

How much does it cost?

EUR 1350-EUR 2450 

These prices include: lunch (which is the big principal meal in Italy) coffee breaks and snacks, housing in Arezzo, monthly or weekly bus tickets, excursions.

Location
Arezzo and Rondine, Tuscany, Italy 

When does the program start?
Registration in the fall for Winter/Intercession-listed courses. There will be three group meetings scheduled during the Winter Term. Travel takes place in May. 

Language of Instruction
Italian (for language and culture courses) and English (for the seminar in social justice, contemporary migration and peace building).

How many credits can I earn?

Students can earn 0.5-1.0 credits depending on the courses taken below (Note: students cannot take ITA 1045/1046 and ITA 2202 in the same year):

ITA 1045 Italian for Travellers I (0.5 credits; 1.0 credits with Italian 1046 or Italian 3040/SJPS 3211)

ITA 1046 Italian for Travellers II (0.5 credits; 1.0 credits with Italian 1045)

ITA 2202 Intermediate Italian in Italy (1.0 credits)

ITA 3040/SJPS 3211 Studies at Rondine Cittadella della Pace (0.5 credits, 1.0 credits with Italian 1045)