Faculty-led Program in Southern Italy (Prof. Heinzel)

This UNI course in Italy offers opportunities to obtain fundamental understandings of the relationships between humans, our environments, and the important role interdisciplinary studies play in understanding our past, but using this knowledge to plan for a sustainable future. This general education course is designed to benefit all UNI students and majors.

Explore Italy, Sicily and the Mediterranean as we practice environmental and social responsibility. While abroad you will learn from Italy’s art, people, world renowned archeological sites, beaches, food, fashion, volcanoes, and much more!

“This was the most amazing experience full of a lot of education and fun. While traveling around Italy and Sicily, I learned so many important and amazing things about not only the Italian culture, but the world as well. I would not trade this experience that I had for the world.” - Past Participant

Dates & Deadlines

App Deadline: December 22, 2024
Program Dates: May 19th, 2025 - June 10th, 2025 (Dates Tentative)

To get started for Summer Break-Italy 2025, schedule a meeting with an advisor using the link below.

Schedule First Steps Meeting

Interested in studying abroad in the summer of 2025 or later? Please fill out the waitlist form below and the study abroad center will notify you when applications for future terms open. If you are still deciding where or when you want to go abroad, you can also schedule an informational meeting with our office to learn more about the programs we offer and find one that works best for you!

Study Abroad Waitlist Schedule Info Meeting

Unsure where to begin? Visit our Application Process page to learn more!

Course Leader

Chad Heinzel, Professor

Department: Earth & Environmental Sciences
Phone: 319-273-6168
E-mail: chad.heinzel@uni.edu
Campus Address: LAT 116

Chad has over 20 years of work experience in southern Italy and Sicily conducting research and leading student learning opportunities. He loves sharing his passion for the Mediterranean region with students. Chad works with each student to maximize their learning experiences on and off campus.

One of Chad's favorite quotes: "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it." - Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Academics

EARTH SCI 3336: Natural Resources and Civilizations (3 credit hours)

Students will investigate the environmental and subsequent sociopolitical implications of climate change upon Mediterranean cultures. Along the way, students will gain an understanding of Italy’s cultural past, present, and future then apply this knowledge to their own education/life! The cultural center of this course will focus on the Mediterranean (including the Greeks, Phoenicians, and Romans). Students will explore medieval castles, walk through Greek temples, swim in the Mediterranean Sea, climb an active volcano (Stromboli), eat some amazing Italian food, summit the top of the world's largest church (St. Peter's Basilica in Rome), create their own adventures in the Roman Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon and much more!

No prerequisites are required for this program and all majors are welcome! Participation in this program requires several class meetings during the Spring semester, although the course is scheduled as a Summer session course. Course meetings will cover important travel/preparation information as well as academic content to help with the project you will complete abroad. Learning materials will be provided online in addition to two or more in-person spring meetings. Please contact the program's course leader for more information on academic requirements. The Study Abroad Center will enroll participants in the course.

This course can fulfill a variety of credit options, including UNIFI: Responsibility category.

Talk to your academic advisor about how this course would work for you!

NOTES:

Students planning to participate in the spring commencement ceremony in May can enroll in this summer term program, however, their degree will not be conferred until the end of the summer term and is contingent on the successful completion of the program and all required coursework.
Students attending colleges and universities other than UNI are welcome to participate in this program. If you are not currently a UNI student, but would like to participate in this program, please contact the UNI Study Abroad Center prior to starting your program application.

Itinerary

Tentative Program Dates: Monday, May 19th - Tuesday, June 10th, 2025 (Dates do not include travel to/from location.)

Sample itinerary is subject to change.

Day 1: Students arrive to Rome Airport; travel to housing in on their own via public transportation; group walking tour of Rome, group dinner.

Day 2: Group tour of Roman Forum and Colosseum.

Day 3: Vatican (Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel/ St. Peter's Basilica), group dinner.

Day 4: Travel to Florence, check into housing; walking tour.

Day 5: Food market (AM) Academia gallery (PM), group dinner.

Day 6: Uffizi gallery (AM), Free (PM).

Day 7: Fly to Palermo - Travel to Trapani, group dinner.

Day 8: Free day in Trapani.

Day 9: Day trip to Erice - The City of Love and Science.

Day 10: Day trip to Levanzo & prehistoric cave tour, cooking class/dinner.

Day 11: Day trip to Segesta.

Day 12: Day trip to Favignana.

Day 13: Travel to Lipari, group dinner.

Day 14: Isola di Vulvano excursion.

Day 15: Museum visit (AM) and half free day in Lipari.

Day 16: Stromboli volcano excursion.

Day 17: Free day in Canneto.

Day 18: Travel to Catania, Walking tour of Catania (PM). group dinner.

Day 19: Fly from Catania to Rome.

Day 20: Day trip via fast Train to Pompei.

Day 21: Spanish Steps and Pantheon, group dinner.

Day 22: Free day in Rome.

Day 23: Students depart from Rome Airport; travel to airport on their own via public transportation.

*Expect up to 15 miles per day of walking/hiking in occasionally hilly or mountainous terrain.

Participant Info

Meet your Advisor:

Stephanie is a full time study abroad advisor who will help you throughout the application process to Italy, including documentation, finances, scholarships, and more. From your First Steps meeting until you take off for your new adventure, Stephanie will help you every step of the way.

Important information to review:

Study abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be challenged by new experiences in new environments and cultures. UNI study abroad programs are designed to prioritize educational opportunities for students. Students are encouraged to embrace the adventure of exploring how housing, meals, and daily routines differ abroad.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Review and follow the travel recommendations of the U.S. State Department for travel to Italy

Housing & Meals

Students will stay in hostels and hotels arranged by the Study Abroad Center. The cost of these accommodations are included in the “Program Cost” line item of the program cost estimate. A few meals are built into the “Program Cost” (example: all breakfasts at hotels and 7 additional group meals in Italy). Students will pay for the remaining meals out-of-pocket while traveling and are encouraged to try the local foods.

Program Costs

Summer 2025 Estimated Program Cost: 6,963*

*estimated total cost of participation, actual amount depends on type of housing accommodation selected, actual airfare purchase price, personal spending habits, and other factors

Estimated Total Program Cost	$6,963
Estimated U-bill charges	$4,895
Estimated Out-of-Pocket Costs	$2,068

Summer 2025 Estimated Budget Sheet (PDF)

Cost of Studying On Campus at UNI*

*per semester, estimated, will vary per person

Tuition & Fees	$4,527
Room & Board	$4,580
Books	$400
Personal Expenses	$878
Transportation	$320
Total	$10,705

Source: https://admissions.uni.edu/cost-aid

‌Eligibility Requirements to Study Abroad

The Study Abroad Center reserves the right to determine participants' eligibility to study abroad. Students must have a completed study abroad application, including supportive recommendation form(s). Additionally, students must meet all of the following in order to be eligible to study abroad:

Have a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher at the time of application and maintain this cumulative GPA prior to departure and throughout the study abroad process
If your cumulative GPA is lower than 2.5, submit the following to the Study Abroad Center (103 East Bartlett):
- Letters of reference from two academic contacts (e.g. academic advisor and former or current professor) supporting your pursuit of study abroad. If you are attending a faculty-led study abroad program, one of the letters must be from a course leader. However, if the program has two course leaders, only one of the letters can be from one of the course leaders.

Must be over the age of 18 years old
Must meet the course prerequisites (participation in the program is dependent upon meeting these)
Must be in good standing with the university
UNI's partner institutions may require additional eligibility requirements to be met, these vary from institution to institution. Please consult with the Study Abroad Center staff to discuss these additional requirements, if applicable.
Applicants traveling to a region of a country or a country with an overall Travel Advisory Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or 4 (Do Not Travel) will not be eligible.