Italy Field School 2025
Images from Pixabay and Joe Pavelka
Italy Slow Culture Field School
Slow food, slow travel, and slow culture in Italy- a storied part of the world filled with beauty and contradictions.
This month-long field school will explore what it means to be a global citizen in today's world. By experiencing Italy in a slow and thoughtful manner, participants will examine and contrast different ways of living and the meanings behind them.
The field school begins with two-weeks in the Tuscan city of Florence where students will be immersed in Italian language and culture. Students will explore the nuances of Italian life through participation in language school, homestays, and immersive assignments. The group will then travel to Siena, a smaller city in Tuscany, where students will continue with assignments as well as cultural excursions including a bike tour of the countryside, wine tasting and cooking classes. Next the group will travel to the fabled "blue-zone" island region of Sardinia where they will explore a different way of life and examine what makes that location a rare blue-zone region. Returning to the mainland, the experience will wrap up in Rome.
This program is based on experiential learning. Participants will have assignments to complete before departure and while on the field school, however the goal is for participants to learn by doing. If you are serious about an immersive learning experience, this program is for you.
Program Dates
Program Departure Date: May 2, 2025
Program Conclusion Date: June 2, 2025
Participants must be available for in-personal pre-departure classroom sessions at MRU prior to departure.
Course Information
HPED 3711 (6 credits)
Description: This course is designed to provide students with a learning experience outside of the traditional classroom setting. Students will travel nationally or internationally to a discipline-specific and relevant location related to their program of study. Students will apply theoretical principles learned throughout the program. A major project (typically research-based) will be completed while on location or data collection will occur throughout the experience. Please note that additional fees (travel, accommodation, sustenance, program fees) will apply outside of the standard tuition.
This course can fulfill requirements under GNED Cluster 3 - Tier 3
Interested students should confirm their ability to use the course for credits with their academic advisor prior to joining the field school.
Information Sessions
Interested students are invited to attend a scheduled information session:
| October 30, 2024 | 4 pm - 6 pm | Room: X 303 |
If you are unable to attend or if you would like more information, please contact Joe Pavelka (jpavelka@mtroyal.ca)
Application Deadline
November 14, 2024 at 4 pm
Applications should be submitted online as per the process outlined below.
Successful applicants will be notified by November 18, 2024 and will need to pay the initial deposit of $1000 by November 25, 2024 in order to confirm their spot in the program. Failure to make the initial deposit by this deadline will result in the spot being given to another student.
Application Process
Before applying for a MRU field school, students should ensure they have familiarized themselves with the general field school requirements and policies.
To apply for the Italy field school, submit the following by the application deadline:
- Field school Application Form (with all requested supporting documents attached in PDF format);
- A two-page document (to be uploaded to the application form) including:
- One-page letter of intent explaining
- Why you would like to be part of the Italy field school;
- How you believe it will enhance your education and career goals;
- Past experiences you have had with travel and/or adjusting to challenging or uncomfortable situations.
- One-Page Payment Strategy:
- Outline how you intend to meet the financial commitment of participating in the field school.
- One-page letter of intent explaining
Program Costs
Italy Field School Program Fees - $6,709.00
The Italy field school program fees include:
- Italian Language School & Homestay;
- Most local transportation in Italy;
- Accommodations;
- All course-related programming, excursions, tours, visits and activities;
- Some meals;
- Contingency fee;
- Faculty Expenses & MRU administration fees.
Program fees are payable according to the payment deadlines outlined in the following table. Instructions on paying program fees will be provided to participants at time of acceptance.
| *1st deposit | November 25, 2024 | $1,000.00 |
| 2nd deposit | January 30, 2025 | $2,855.00 |
| 3rd deposit | March 13, 2025 | $2,854.00 |
*Initial program deposit is non-refundable and secures the participant's place in the program. Possibility of refund of subsequent deposits due to withdrawal from the program will be assessed and determined at the time of withdrawal according to the field school refund policy.
MRU Tuition & General Fees
MRU tuition and fees for HPED 3711 (6 credits) are in addition to the program fees and will be assessed to each student's account in April 2025. They are payable to MRU by the spring 2025 fee payment deadline.
Additional Student Expenses
Students are responsible for all additional expenses not included in the program fees such as: airfare, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, some ground transportation, meals & incidentals, passport, ETIAS authorization (if required), Out of Country Travel Heath and Medical Insurance, communication costs, personal spending, emergency funds, etc.
Financial Assistance
Italy field school participants will receive a $1,500 grant from the MRU International Mobility Award to use towards the costs associated with the field school.
Further information about this funding, other possible grants and student loan funding for field schools can be obtained at the information sessions or by contacting MRU International Education.
Contact Information
For more information please contact:
Joe Pavelka - Field School Instructor (jpavelka@mtroyal.ca)
Trinda Guillet - International Education (tguillet@mtroyal.ca)