June 4 - July 16, 2013

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.

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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, ordering breakfast and meeting their Italian neighbors. Apartments are equipped with a kitchen, bed linens, and towels. Clothing and linens are washed weekly. Students may request roommates.

We will explore ideas of cultural history and see masterpieces of art and cathedrals as we travel for two days to Rome, spend two nights in Florence, and travel to Assisi, Arezzo, and Perugia. We will travel via public transportation. Museum entry fees and transportation by bus and train 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 1400s to the 1800s inside a working bottega of restoration.

You will also be exploring the medieval, Etruscan, and Tuderti history of Todi with Federico 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 Etruscan methods 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, as well as lectures on feminism in Italy by Luana Mariani, longtime educator and cultural historian.

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. Contact the Hollins Office of Admissions for more information.

• Scholarship opportunity
• Belk International Scholar Award and the Anne Holmes Hurley Travel Award

Fees

The total fee of $7,224 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.

Deadlines for Early Acceptance

The Summer Study Abroad in Todi, Italy program will begin accepting applications for Summer 2013 in April 2012, to participate in the payment plan and early acceptance program please take note of the following deadlines.

• May 1, 2012: Application forms due. The application and all other required forms can be found on this page in the right margin. You may e-mail your application to achall@hollins.edu. Or, you may fax forms to (540) 362-6694. If you do not already have a passport, apply for one now.
• May 2, 2012: Notification of acceptance via e-mail.
• May 7, 2012: 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, to Alison’s office in the Visual Arts Center (VAC 211) or to the Visual Arts Center Office (VAC 201).

Payment Options for Students with Early Acceptance

• May 15, 2012: $522 nonrefundable deposit due ($500 counts toward total cost). This deposit includes the $22 application fee for the International Student Identification card. Along with your deposit and fee for the ISIC card, please submit two passport photos and the completed additional forms: transcript release, behavior contract, liability waiver, contact information, ISIC application, housing form, health report, and release form. Major credit cards accepted or checks made payable to Hollins University.
• July 16, 2012: $1120.66 due
• September 17, 2012: $1120.66 due
• November 15, 2012: $1120.66 due
• January 15, 2013: $1120.66 due
• March 15, 2013: $1120.66 due
• May 15, 2013: $1120.70 due

We accept major credit cards or checks payable to Hollins University. If there are any questions, please call Melanie Moses at (540) 362-6518.

Deadlines for Students Not Participating in Early Acceptance

• March 30, 2013: $522 nonrefundable deposit due ($500 counts toward total cost). This deposit includes the $22 application fee for the International Student Identification card. We accept major credit cards or checks payable to Hollins University. If there are any questions, please call Melanie Moses at (540) 362-6518. Along with your deposit and fee for the ISIC card, please submit two passport photos and the completed additional forms: transcript release, behavior contract, liability waiver, contact information, ISIC application, housing form, health report, and release form. Major credit cards accepted or checks made payable to Hollins University.
• April 11, 2013: First payment of $3,362 due
• May 11, 2013: Final payment of $3,362 due

Application timeline for Students Not Participating in Early Acceptance

• March 25, 2013: Application forms due. The application and all other required forms can be found on this page in the right margin. You may e-mail your application to achall@hollins.edu. Or, you may fax forms to (540) 362-6694. If you do not already have a passport, apply for one now.
• March 26, 2013: Notification of acceptance via e-mail.
• March 30, 2013: 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, to Alison’s office in the Visual Arts Center (VAC 211) or to the Visual Arts Center Office (VAC 201).