The Italy Experience

The tentative program dates for 2027 are May 12-June 3.The cost is $3,000. This does not include airfare, most meals, and personal expenses.

• Airport transfers in Rome at the beginning and end of the program
• First day lunch and welcome dinner
• “Arrivederci, Roma!” lunch or dinner (final day)
• Continental breakfast daily
• Lodging in Rome, Florence, and Venice
• All field trip admissions
• Guided tours of all field trip sights
• Round-trip train transportation between Rome, Florence, and Venice
• Rome Metro passes for unlimited travel within the city
• Health and accident insurance
• Florence bus tickets
• Venice vaproetto pass
• Pre-departure information booklet
• International Health Insurance

The following are not included in the program cost:

• Airfare
• Lodging for those who arrive early or remain after the program ends
• U.S. Passport fees and any visa fees
• Lunch and dinner for most days
• Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
• Optional activities and travel
• Souvenirs and other items of a personal nature
• Spring semester tuition for HUM 301 (for most students this is included in their 18-hour maximum allotment for the semester) and May-term tuition for 302.

Yes. Many restaurants have gluten-free pasta and other dietary alternatives.

There are two weekends set aside for independent travel. Students have the option of staying in Rome or arranging for trips to other locations within Italy, such as Cinque Terre or the Amalfi Coast.

Airfare varies widely depending on how far in advance a ticket is booked and what U.S. city you fly out of and return to. Normally, you can figure anywhere from $1,200-$2,000 round-trip.

Students may book their own travel, but must arrive at our Rome accommodations no later than 12:30 p.m. on the first day of the program in Italy. Because of visa limitations, students may not remain in the Schengen Zone for more than 90 days. Accommodations before or after the program are the student’s responsibility.

Italy allows U.S. citizens who possess a valid U.S. passport to remain in the country for up to 90 days.  Students who are not U.S. citizens should consult with Crossroads to ascertain whether they will need a visa.  If a visa is needed, Crossroads can assist with the process.

First Year Honors Program students may be able to apply their stipend to the trip fees. Consult with the Crossroads Office for details.

Students enroll in HUM 301 (4 credits) and complete the coursework prior to their trip to Italy in May. Next, students enroll in HUM 302 (2 credits), which is the immersive course in Italy. In conjunction, HUM 301 and HUM 302 fulfil the requirements for HUM 203 and HUM 303. Refer to the syllabus on this website for details about the HUM 301 course.

The class will meet MWF at 11:15.

The only prerequisite for HUM 301 is HUM 103.

Yes.  Students who have taken HUM 203 and/or HUM 303 may go on the trip without taking HUM 301 during the spring semester.

The syllabus for HUM 301 posted on this website details the requirements for this course. The 2027 syllabus will be similar to the one posted. HUM 302, which is the course for the Ital trip, is comprised of visits to museums, historical sights, and attendance at various cultural events. Students will give two presentations, engage in reflective discussion about what they experience, and submit a journal for this part of the course.

Applications will be received beginning Monday, January 12, 2026. A limited number of spots are available, and space is reserved on a first-deposited basis only. Please complete the application form posted to this website and mail or bring it with your $500 deposit to the Fern Cliffe office, which is located on the first floor of the building.

Yes. The trip is usually full by May of the year prior to departure.

A deposit of $500 will confirm your participation in the trip. Deposit checks should be made payable to Geneva College and submitted with the application. If participating in the trip only, payment of the balance of the program fee must be received no later than January 30 of the trip year.

Students taking the class will have their Spring semester student invoice charged for the remaining balance.

Notification of cancellation must be received in writing to rome@geneva.edu. Deposit refunds less a cancellation fee of $250 will be granted if cancellation is received by January 29 of the trip year.

After January 31 of current trip year, the following refund schedule applies:

February 1- April 12: 65% of the program fee is retained by the college

April 13 - April 19: 85% of the program fee is retained by the college

After April 19: 100% of the program fee is retained by the college

If a student cancels and finds another student of the same sex to take her/his place prior to January 31, and the trip director consents, the cancellation fees are waived.

No. The trip is part of the course. Students complete some assignments while in Italy.

Deposited students receive an orientation booklet that provides a wealth of information related to the trip.