Study and live in Todi, Italy.

June 2 - July 14, 2009

Todi is a gracious medieval city with antique origins in the heart of the Umbrian valley halfway between Rome and Florence. It stands upon a hilltop, overlooking the Tevere River. The bustling piazza, where residents do their daily shopping and take their morning coffee, is the hub of the city's civil, economic, and social life. Filled with open-air cafés and art, antique, and clothing stores, the piazza is a great meeting place for residents and tourists alike. Todi offers the values of family, peace, and comfort. Its society is one of slow rhythms, which allow for reflection and the development of sincere and profound relationships. Todi is the perfect place to study Italian art and culture and to practice speaking Italian every day. For more information, visit www.bellaumbria.net/Todi/home_eng.htm.

View slideshows from 2007, 2008.

Living and travel

Housing is located within the medieval walls of Todi. Students live in shared apartments that are a short walk from the piazza and supermarket. One of the program's goals is to allow students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the society of Todi, participating in the culture by buying their groceries daily and hanging their laundry out to dry. Apartments are fully equipped with kitchen and laundry facilities (usually no dryers). Students may request roommates.

We will explore ideas of cultural history and see masterpieces of art and cathedrals as we travel for three days to Rome, spend two nights in Florence, and travel to Assisi, Arezzo, and Perugia. We will travel via public transportation. Museum entry fees are included.

Study

The program consists of two four-credit classes (course descriptions):

• Drawing and Painting the Landscape
• Italian Culture and Language

Each day during the week you will spend mornings in the plein air painting and drawing the landscape around Todi. Various readings will explore ideas of cultural history and the landscape in art, and how the modern world is transforming landscapes. Your work will include a small portfolio of personal work and a sketchbook done from our museum visits each week.

After lunch you will be in language classes taught by native speakers at the Language Institute of Todi. Scheduled cultural activities enable you to practice your Italian. As your language skills progress you will be able to use Italian as you meet with Enzo Zoccoli, a native of Todi, to restore paintings from the 1600s to the 1800s inside a working bottega of restoration.

You will also be exploring the medieval, Etruscan, and Tuderti history of Todi with Frederico Spiganti, a native who undertakes major archeological digs, conducts spelunking expeditions of the underground Roman water systems, and catalogs ancient fragments from pre-Christian churches in and around the town. Included are walking tours and hands-on activities with ancient artifacts.

You will be introduced to hand building ceramics using the raku process of firing in Buonfiglio's working studio, seeing what it means to be a modern-day artist in a country rich in tradition.

You will meet with local historians to discuss early Italian history, the Roman Empire, the Middle Ages, and post war Italy. Students will explore the archive of Todi, speak with women who were part of the feminist revolution, and enjoy lectures on Etruscan and Roman history by Carlo Zoccoli.

Eligibility and credits

Students earn eight college credits. The program is open to all female college students, 18 years of age or older with a 2.5 GPA, and nontraditional students who choose to attend for credit or personal enrichment. Students should verify with their home institution that credits are transferable. Courses count toward graduation, but not toward Hollins art major or language requirements. Students must apply for "special student status" through admissions if college transfer credits are needed.

• Scholarship opportunities

Fees

The total fee of $6,640 includes tuition, language instruction, supplemental activities, accommodations in student-shared apartments, trips to Assisi, Florence, Perugia, Arezzo; two overnight accommodations in Florence; and three-day trips to Rome. It does not include round-trip airfare, painting/drawing supplies, most meals, cell phones, and personal independent excursions, or ISIC travel card (PDF) fee.

• March 30: $500 nonrefundable deposit due (counts toward total costs). We accept major credit cards or checks made payable to Hollins University.
• April 5: Final payment of $6,140 due

Application timeline

• March 25: Application forms due. You may e-mail your application to achall@hollins.edu or jknipe@hollins.edu (additional forms will be sent via e-mail). Or, you may fax forms to (540) 362-6694. If you do not already have a passport, apply for one now.
• March 26: Notification of acceptance via e-mail.
• March 30: Completed additional forms are due: transcript release, behavior contract, liability waiver, contact information, ISIC application, housing form, and health report/release form

Return forms to Alison C. Hall, Hollins University, P. O. Box 9583, Roanoke, VA 24020-1583.