Italian Media, Culture and Society

DATES: July 1st - 28th, 2012

Participants should plan to leave the US on June 30th in order to arrive on site for the first day of the program on July 1st.

ELIGIBILITY: This program is open to all undergraduate and graduate students, including students who do not attend George Mason University.

PROGRAM FEE: $4,637, NOT including international airfare.

This includes 6 credits of tuition, welcome and farewell dinners, double-occupancy rooms, unlimited metro/bus pass for transportation within Milan during July, walking tour of the area around the University of Milan and student residence, a week of excursions to places such as Lake Maggiore, predeparture orientation and materials, and health & emergency evacuation/repatriation insurance.

HOUSING: Double occupancy rooms in university student housing, Residence Rubattino in Milan.

CREDITS: Earn 6 credits across these disciplines: Art History (ARTH 303), Communication (COMM 307:Photography, COMM 307: The Italian Media, COMM 452: Media Production Practicum), Film and Video Studies (FAVS 399), History (HIST 398), Honors (HNRS 122) & New Century College (NCLC 399).

EXCURSIONS: Cinque Terre, Lake Maggiore and more! Participants will have free time on the weekends to make trips to Rome, Venice, and Florence...

Check out this AMAZING student video from summer 2010 -- Thanks, Travis!!!

CONTACT: Erin at (703) 993-3864 or toll free at (866) 468-1243
When using Meebo please indicate the name of the program about which you are inquiring.

Apply online by March 2nd, 2012!

During this four-week course, students will travel to MILAN, ITALY and immerse themselves in Italian media and cinema to consider how it interrelates to culture and society as they experience it.

"I only needed 9 credits to graduate in the Summer 2008 session, so I decided to go on one of the study abroad programs offered by the Center of Global Education. My experience studying abroad in Milan, Italy was amazing. If I was asked to change anything from the trip, I wouldn't. I got a chance to meet Mason students I had never met before and I formed new friendships with people outside of the social circle I'd become accustomed to. I made a couple of friends in Italy and still keep in touch with via email.  Studying abroad gave me a new perspective on life. Going on this trip taught me to be a better person overall. I would recommend this program to anyone who wants to broaden his or her perspective on life!"

--Jessica, CGE Alum, Summer 2008 Program in Milan, Italy

Students attend lectures given in English by Italian faculty from the University of Milan on specific topics and then visit related sights in Italy. In-class course work is supplemented with tours to several other Italian cities where participants will learn about and experience Intercultural Communication, Renaissance Art, Fashion, Architecture, Commerce, and the Performing Arts. Assessment is determined by written exercises, daily journal entries, in-class discussions, quizzes, and a final project focusing on the student’s particular area of study.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT: One of the many highlights of the program in Milan is seeing Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper in person. The painting still stands on the wall of the church where Leonardo originally painted the extraordinary masterpiece.

Study Abroad Reviews

summer 2008 participants in Venice

Academic Director

Professor Catherine Wright is the Undergraduate Academic Advising Coordinator and Term Associate Professor for the Department of Communication at George Mason University. She has taught courses in public speaking, small group communication, mass media and society, business and professional communication, interpersonal communication in the workplace, and web development (Fall). Dr. Wright received her B.S. from Phillips University and her M.A. in Mass Communication from Texas Tech University. She earned her PhD from Regent University in May 2005, after completing her dissertation entitled, "Digital Piracy: The Investigation of Music Downloading via Peer-to-Peer Connections on the Internet." Her passions include travel and technology.

Guiding students as they explore communication theory and practice outside of the classroom is her top priority on study abroad trips. This is the 5th consecutive year Dr. Wright will be leading her beloved Milan program!

*CGE reserves the right to make changes to a program in light of currency fluctuations, changing security and safety conditions, or any other unforeseen circumstances.