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General FAQ

Molise Italian Studies challenges traditional study abroad and tourism models through the integration of holistic Global Intercultural Citizenship; safe, scaffolded, and individualized instruction and support; and intentional and sustainable travel.

Molise IS a full slate of travel and education programs for participants of any background, including Adult Study Abroad, Digital Nomads, Italian Language training, University Semesters, and Summer Internships—all based in the small and authentic Italian region of Molise.

Molise (pronounced [moˈliːze] (i.e. mo-LEE-zay)) is a small, remote region in Italy full of history and tradition, hillside villages and stunning vistas, and kind, welcoming, hard-working people. If you are looking at the “boot” of Italy, it is roughly at the back of the knee, and includes a stretch of Adriatic coastline, rolling hills, and stunning mountains.

Molise remains untouched by the bustle of modern tourism, which is exactly why it has so much to offer to reflective learners and slow travelers looking for an authentic Italian experience. Yet it still allows easy access to the world-class opportunities and sophistication of Rome and Naples. Molise is a model for purposeful living, an ideal environment in which to foster intercultural collaboration and exchange through Adult Study Abroad and immersive Community-Based Global Learning.

Molise IS where your adventure begins, and it is waiting for you!

Community-Based Global Learning is community-driven learning or service centered around Global Intercultural Citizenship, which entails the ongoing development of critically reflective and culturally humble intercultural competence, and which has the goal of fostering a broader respect for fundamental human dignity and for our shared planet.

As with any kind of citizenship, it is essentially a set of rights and responsibilities–in this case, the rights and responsibilities relevant to improving human interactions across difference and creating a more just and equitable society.

*Eric Hartman (Co-Founder of the Community-Based Global Learning Collaborative and co-author of Community-Based Global Learning: The Theory and Practice of Ethical Engagement at Home and Abroad, 2018), Darla Deardorff (author of UNESCO Manual for Developing Intercultural Competencies: Story Circles, 2020), Tara Harvey (Founder of True North Intercultural), and Milton Bennett (Founding Director of the Intercultural Development Research Institute) have all contributed to our thinking and definitions.

Two inevitable questions of our lifetime are how to share our planet, and, by extension, how to share a common dignity. We don’t have all the answers, but the tiny ripples each of us makes by acting on an exploration of those questions can lead to giant waves of positive change.

Our vision is a world in which all individuals can lead safe, fulfilling, and purposeful lives in mindful harmony and cooperation with those of diverse backgrounds and experiences.

As a consequence, our mission is to implement — and develop our participants’ capacity to implement — positive, effective, and sustainable change towards a more just and equitable society in which our vision can become reality.

And our passion is the preservation and promotion of Molise’s cultural heritage.

Through our broad range of immersive and transformative program options, we bring our vision, mission, and passion together in the magical land of hillside villages, stunning vistas, and welcoming people that is Molise to cultivate curious, compassionate, and effective global citizens committed to fostering a broader respect for fundamental human dignity and for our shared planet. In short, Molise IS bridging the difference to make a difference.

No Molise Italian Studies program includes more than 90 days on-site, so a visa is NOT required for citizens of the United States. You do, of course, need a passport. If you plan to extend your time in Italy (or anywhere in the Schengen area) beyond 90 days (to do extra personal travel, or gain more experience in an internship, or for any other reason), you will need to obtain a visa prior to departure, as well as a permit to stay upon arrival. We are happy to assist you with this process, but be sure to consult the specific consulate you plan to visit to confirm necessary documents and procedures, as requirements can be strict. For a list of Italian Consulates in the United States, click here. For Italian visa information, click here.

Airfare is not included in any program cost, but we are happy to offer advice and assistance in setting up appropriate flights.

We recommend keeping your packing to a minimum. Even for a longer trip, plan to re-wear clothes and do laundry once every week or two. And, of course, you want to leave some room for souvenirs.

  • Passport/visa, travel insurance, and any other important travel documents (& copies)
  • Comfortable shoes (it’s tough to break in new shoes when traveling) and sandals
  • Layers of clothing, including a rain coat/poncho and swimwear (plan for the climate)
  • Charging pack and chargers
  • Electric adapters (converting to an Italian “C” plug with 2-3 pins)
  • Basic toiletries you don’t want to buy on-site
  • Hygiene products as needed
  • Small soothing items (e.g. a small stuffed animal)
  • Journal
  • Mini first-aid kit
  • Reusable water bottle or water backpack
  • Backup glasses/contacts
  • Medications (& extra), motion sickness medication, & melatonin (if used)
  • Snacks for flying, etc.
  • Small gifts for any hosts/service providers

All Full Semester and Summer Internship + participants are required to have a working cell phone number so that they can be reached in case of emergency. It is highly recommended that Adult Study Abroad participants also have a working cell phone number. Detailed information on phone options is presented pre-departure.

Some options for cell phone use while in Italy:

  • Bring your own smartphone and use your own U.S. provider’s international service plan (AT&T, Verizon, etc.)
  • Bring your own unlocked smartphone and rent an international SIM card and data plan through another provider (Vodafone, TIM, WIND, etc.)
  • Rent a smartphone and SIM card, along with a data plan, through another provider (Vodafone, TIM, WIND, etc.)
  • Rent a basic handheld cell phone and SIM card, along with a simple talk & text plan, through another provider (Vodafone, TIM, WIND, etc.). This option offers no data capability, but students can supplement this with their own personal smartphone, using wifi only.
    • *Please note: If you choose to rent or buy from another provider abroad (Vodafone, TIM, WIND, etc.), it is your responsibility to do your research and purchase the necessary items. Most who choose this option will save money, but must wait until they have arrived in Italy to make their purchase.

Also, Skype, WhatsApp, and other online platforms offer easy and free options for communication with family and friends at home.

You can email info [at] moliseitalianstudies [dot] com or call us at 1-888-422-9922 (or use our contact form), and you can indicate your specific needs for accommodation on your enrollment application (this information is not used in admissions decisions). Although Molise Italian Studies is committed to supporting all participants in their study abroad journey, we cannot guarantee that it will be possible to honor all accommodation requests. MIS staff will review all requests, consult with onsite staff and host institutions and communicate with you throughout this process.

If you are interested in an exciting and meaningful internship with a growing company dedicated to working towards a more just and equitable society, you can join our diverse team and contribute essential content (and even new ideas) from the comfort of your home or dorm room.

We can’t wait to hear from you! Just fill out and return the application.

Please contact us at any time by emailing in**@mo******************.com , by calling us at 1-888-422-9922, or by using our contact form. You can also find us on social media, including Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Ti piacerebbe collaborare con Molise Italian Studies come host di tirocinio? Fantastico! Una parte fondamentale della nostra missione è promuovere e preservare il patrimonio culturale del Molise, e questo inizia con te.

Compila e invia i due moduli sottostanti in modo che possiamo iniziare a reclutare studenti per la tua attività il prima possibile.

Il primo è un modulo di descrizione modificabile del progetto formativo (stage). Ti chiedo gentilmente di compilare il PDF il prima possibile in modo che possiamo iniziare a reclutare studenti per la tua specifica opportunità di tirocinio.

Il secondo allegato è una panoramica sull’alloggio in famiglia ospitante e un modulo di partecipazione per la famiglia. Molti di voi sono stati così gentili da offrire la propria casa ai nostri studenti in visita e vorremmo raccogliere tutte le informazioni per i nostri database per garantire un trasferimento momentaneo quanto più agevole possibile per i nostri studenti. Se conosci qualcun altro a pochi passi dalla tua attività (o con un dipendente che potrebbe portarlo avanti e indietro) che sarebbe interessato ad ospitare uno studente americano per 9,5 settimane durante l’autunno o la primavera a cui sarà garantito un contributo di € 1.000 , invia il modulo pertinente relativo all’ospitalità in famiglia ospitante e falla rinviare a meagan [in] moliseitalianstudies [punto] com.

Entrambi i PDF sono compilabili e possono essere compilati dal tuo computer; tuttavia, se stamparlo e compilarlo a mano ti sembra più semplice, sentiti libero di scansionarne una copia e allegarla.

Cogliamo l’occasione per ribadire di nuovo che siamo grati per la vostra collaborazione e del vostro interesse di lavorare con i nostri incredibili studenti! Grazie mille per tutto quello che state facendo per promuovere e preservare il patrimonio culturale del Molise.

Adult Study Abroad Program FAQ

Adult Study Abroad provides a variety of unique options geared towards adults looking for an authentic Italian experience and the chance to develop their Global Intercultural Citizenship. Whether you missed out on study abroad in school, or you are looking for another life-changing journey, or you simply crave purposeful education or self-transformation—Molise IS all the space to learn, engage, or disconnect you could wish for. You are not a typical tourist, and this is not just travel, so choose purposeful adventure with Molise Italian Studies!

We offer Sì! by the Sea, Intensive, and Conversational Italian Language training; immersive local living as a Digital Nomad; and themed and immersive slow travel through the unknown Italy with Bridging Across Molise. And we are constantly developing new programs, including Italy in Image and Imagination: A Literary and Cinematic Tour of Naples, Molise, and the Human Story.

The programs are in English (except, of course, for classes and conversation during Italian Language training). That said, the more Italian you can learn ahead of time (with free resources like DuoLingo or Coffee Break Italian) and the more you try to use Italian on-site, the more immersive and locally connected your experience will be.

You will receive the AFS Global Competence Certificate, Difr IC microcredential, and (if applicable) a transcript detailing your studies and service.

The next session dates are as follows:

  • June 3-July 26, 2024 (on-site June 23-July 13)
  • June 2-July 25, 2025 (on-site June 22-July 12)
  • Comprehensive 8-week program of personal development and Intercultural Citizenship with 3 weeks on-site in Termoli!
    • Intensive 3-week, 3-credit Italian language course through University of Molise
      • Live, intimate, customized, and scaffolded language instruction at UniMol, 3 hours/day, 5 days/week for 3 weeks (45 hours total)
      • Materials included
      • Optional credit transcript through Northern Arizona University (additional $500 fee)
      • One-year virtual conversation group membership following six-week class
      • Additional one-on-one lessons available at additional cost
    • MIS 304 – Global Competency, Health and Identity (3 credits)
    • 3 weeks double or triple accommodations in beachside hotel (including breakfast, beach chair, and umbrella)
    • 6-credit transcript through Northern Arizona University
    • Airport pickup at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport
    • Comprehensive study abroad health insurance through CISI
    • Optional dinner package
    • Optional cultural, historical, and outdoor activities and customized hands-on experiences
      • Bilingual, and educational
      • Led by a licensed Italian Tour Leader
      • Continued scaffolded language learning
      • Focused on Italian culture and artisan craftsmanship; food and wine; medieval cities and villages; history and archaeology; and outdoor adventures
      • Average cost €50 (about $60), lunch included
    • Optional add-ons prior to or following this program: add a second MIS program (and get $100 off both!), book further activities with one of our partners, or let us help put together a trip to Rome or Naples
  • Cost: $5,995/person (Or ask about our abbreviated 4-week, 3-credit program available for $5,495/person)

Upcoming sessions are as follows:

  • September 8-September 28, 2024
  • February 9-March 1, 2025
  • Intensive 3-week, 3-credit Italian language course through University of Molise
      • Live, intimate, customized, and scaffolded language instruction at UniMol, 3 hours/day, 5 days/week for 3 weeks (45 hours total)
      • Materials included
      • Optional credit transcript through Northern Arizona University (additional $500 fee)
      • One-year virtual conversation group membership following six-week class
      • Additional one-on-one lessons available at additional cost
  • Difr Dive Intercultural Citizenship Short-Course
  • 3 weeks of accommodations in a homestay (including 2 meals daily), an apartment, or a hotel/B&B (availability may vary)
  • On-site support
  • Optional airport pickup at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport available at additional cost (airfare not included)
  • Optional cultural, historical, and outdoor activities and customized hands-on experiences
    • Bilingual, and educational
    • Led by a licensed Italian Tour Leader
    • Continued scaffolded language learning
    • Focused on Italian culture and artisan craftsmanship; food and wine; medieval cities and villages; history and archaeology; and outdoor adventures
    • Average cost €50 (about $60), lunch included
  • Optional add-ons prior to or following this program: add a second MIS program (and get $100 off both!), book further activities with one of our partners, or let us help put together a trip to Rome or Naples
  • Cost: Starting at $3,995/person (depending on accommodations)

Dates for Conversation Italian are flexible.

Please let us know on your enrollment form what dates you are interested in.

  • Six-week group Italian language class meeting twice/week for 3 hours in Campobasso
    • Intimate, customized, and scaffolded language instruction (1.5 hours)
      • Focused on practical and relevant language tasks
      • Materials included, and live stream access available
    • Local walk, cultural visit, and group lunch (price of meal not included)
    • One-year virtual conversation group membership following six-week class
    • Additional one-on-one lessons available at additional cost
  • Difr Dive Intercultural Citizenship Short-Course
  • 6 weeks of accommodations in a homestay (including 2 meals daily), an apartment, or a hotel/B&B (availability may vary)
  • On-site support
  • Optional airport pickup at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport available at additional cost (airfare not included)
  • Optional cultural, historical, and outdoor activities and customized hands-on experiences
    • Bilingual, and educational
    • Led by a licensed Italian Tour Leader
    • Continued scaffolded language learning
    • Focused on Italian culture and artisan craftsmanship; food and wine; medieval cities and villages; history and archaeology; and outdoor adventures
    • Average cost €50 (about $60), lunch included
  • Optional add-ons prior to or following this program: add a second MIS program (and get $100 off both!), book further activities with one of our partners, or let us help put together a trip to Rome or Naples
  • Cost: Starting at $2,495/person (depending on accommodations)

Dates for Private Lessons and Conversation Groups are flexible. Academic groups start four times per year.

Please let us know on your enrollment form what dates you are interested in.

Private Lessons consist of custom one-on-one conversational Italian instruction and practice, and cost €1250 for 20 hours (€62.50/hour).

Group Conversation consists of dynamic & engaging small-group conversational Italian instruction & practice, and costs €750 for 20 hours (€37.50/hour)–*but receive 50% off (€375/person) for groups of 5+!

Academic Italian consists of small-group academic Italian lessons with a focus on grammar and structure, and costs €750 for 15 hours (€50/hour)–*but receive 50% off (€375/person) for groups of 5+!

All program start dates are customized for each participant.

    • Weekly or monthly accommodations in a homestay (including 2 meals daily), an apartment, or a hotel/B&B (availability may vary)
    • Difr Dive Intercultural Citizenship Short-Course
    • On-site support
    • Optional airport pickup at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport available at additional cost (airfare not included)
    • Optional Italian language tutoring (in-person or virtual), 3x/week
    • Optional cultural, historical, and outdoor activities and customized hands-on experiences
      • Bilingual, and educational
      • Led by a licensed Italian Tour Leader
      • Continued scaffolded language learning
      • Focused on Italian culture and artisan craftsmanship; food and wine; medieval cities and villages; history and archaeology; and outdoor adventures
      • Average cost €50 (about $60), lunch included
    • Optional add-ons prior to or following this program: add a second MIS program (and get $100 off both!), book further activities with one of our partners, or let us help put together a trip to Rome or Naples

  • Cost: Starting at $2,495/person (depending on accommodations) for a 4-week program

To enroll, you will fill out and submit the online enrollment form, then complete and return (by email or mail) the official waiver/release. Prior to enrollment, you will participate in a short video chat interview with program staff.

Yes! Add a second MIS program and get $100 off both!

Budgeting is very personal, but costs in Molise are generally quite reasonable. We do recommend that you have access to extra funds (including at least some cash) to cover additional food and beverages, optional activities, public transport, travel and any other personal expenses.

Great! We are constantly developing new programs and looking for amazing partners. Just email info [at] moliseitalianstudies [dot] com with 1) your CV; 2) a proposed course idea or description; 3) and a statement of intent detailing any experience living or teaching abroad, the dates and number of weeks you are available to teach, why Molise Italian Studies is the right fit for your proposed course idea, and what other expertise you would bring to our program. Please feel free to contact us with further questions or to discuss possible lengths and structures for your course.

Full Semester & Summer Internship + FAQ

Front-load Intercultural Citizenship concepts and skills vital to a successful semester abroad, then implement your Intercultural Citizenship skills through a homestay, internship placement, and community-focused project. Consolidate at home through career preparation and re-integration support.

  • Pre-Departure (4 weeks @ home)
    • Foundations of Intercultural Citizenship (online, 3 credits)
      • Global Competence Certificate
      • All pre-departure preparation & support
  • On-Site (12.5 weeks in Molise, Italy)
    • 3-Week Intensive Italian Language Course through The University of Molise (in-person; 3 credits)
    • Implementation of Intercultural Citizenship Course @ The University of Molise w/ MIS (in-person & online, 3 credits)
    • Customized Internship (in-person, 6 credits, 30 hours/week)
    • Homestay with local Molisani family (includes 2 meals/day)
    • 4-Day Trip to Rome & Bi-Weekly Excursions
    • Human Library Project
  • Re-Entry (1.5 weeks @ home)
    • Wrap-up Implementation of Intercultural Citizenship course
      • “What now?”
      • Career preparation
      • Digital Storytelling (online)

Click here to see the program overview and more details.

Front-load Intercultural Citizenship concepts and skills vital to a successful summer abroad, then implement your Intercultural Citizenship skills through a homestay and internship placement. Consolidate at home as you work through your reflective workbook.

  • Pre-Departure (1 week @ home)
    • Begin MIS 304 – Global Competency, Health and Identity (3 credits)
    • All pre-departure preparation & support
  • On-Site (6 weeks in Molise, Italy)
    • Customized Internship (in-person, 4 credits, 30 hours/week)
    • Continue MIS 304 – Global Competency, Health and Identity
    • Homestay with local Molisani family (includes 2 meals/day)
    • Optional outings and group activities
  • Re-Entry (1 week @ home)

Click here to see the program overview and further details.

To facilitate our ability to explore concepts in depth, class meetings and assignments for the Intercultural Citizenship courses will be conducted in English. In order to provide the most comprehensive and productive immersive learning environment, we encourage you to make your best effort to use Italian as much as possible in other communications and contexts during your time on-site (exceptions being emergencies and conversations with healthcare professionals or Molise Italian Studies program administrators). The almost-exclusive use of Italian will allow participants to achieve greater progress in Italian, build confidence, and cultivate local relationships.

In order to ensure success in your Full Semester homestay and internship, your Italian proficiency must be at least CEFR level B1 (this can usually be reached through two semesters of college-level Italian). If you have only one semester of Italian and/or have not achieved B1 proficiency, you may consider enrolling in an MIS Online Academic Italian course. During the first three weeks of your time on-site, you will enroll in an intensive 45-hour Italian language course through the University of Molise in Campobasso.

    • We recommend trying a free online assessment of your Italian level through Classgap, Strommen, or ESL.

For Summer Internship +, CEFR level B1 (2 semesters college-level Italian), is required, but we recommend having had 3 semesters (or 2 semesters and an MIS Online Academic Italian course).

You will earn 15 credits in the Full Semester program. You will earn 7 credits in the Sumer Internship + program. Full semester and Italian courses, as well as internship placements, are accredited by our school of record, Northern Arizona University.

You will receive the Molise Italian Studies Certificate of Intercultural Citizenship, the AFS Global Competence Certificate, and a transcript detailing your studies and service. Through our school of record, Northern Arizona University, you will receive a transcript from a world-class, HLC-accredited state teaching and research institution.

Molise Italian Studies operates its full semester program during Fall and Spring semesters. Summer Internship + operates during the summer.

Upcoming program dates are as follows:

Fall 2024 Cohort:

  • August 12- December 13, 2024 (On-Site: September 6-December 2, 2024)

Spring 2025 Cohort:

  • January 13- May 16, 2025 (On-Site: February 7-May 5, 2025)

Full Program fees ($12,800) include:

  • Program tuition and U.S. academic credit (15 total credits through our school of record, Northern Arizona University)
  • Intensive Italian Language Course through the University of Molise (3 credits)
  • Two Intercultural Citizenship courses (6 credits) & all textbooks
  • Customized internship placement (6 credits)
  • Community-Focused Project
  • Participation in Difr Live: The Human Story, Unshelved
  • Comprehensive study abroad health insurance through CISI
  • Accommodation with carefully selected local host family (& accommodation in Campobasso during the orientation and intensive Italian course)
  • Daily breakfast & dinner
  • Airport pickup and transportation upon arrival
  • Orientation to program, region and placements
  • International Ambassador program
  • On-site advisors dedicated to providing personal and academic mentoring
  • Guided 4-day excursion to Rome
  • Four Molise-based tours/experiences
  • Other group activities based on interest and regional happenings
  • 24-hour on-site emergency support
  • Farewell event with all participants
  • Molise IS Certificate of Intercultural Citizenship and AFS Global Competence Certificate upon completion
  • Transcript detailing your studies and service
  • Pre-departure and Re-entry services, including assistance with financial aid, travel documents, insurance and credit transfer, as well as a virtual digital storytelling event
  • Molise IS Ambassador Program for alumni

Program fees do not include:

  • Cost of round trip airfare
  • Fees for passport, visa, permit to stay, etc.
  • Personal travel expenses and any additional meals, snacks or drinks
  • Bring a Friend!
    • Are you hoping to share your transformational experience with a friend? If you and a friend each enroll in our Full Semester program, you BOTH receive $500 off the program fee! Bring more than one friend and receive $500 off the program fee for EACH friend (up to the full program cost)!
  • HBCU Study Abroad 4711 Program Discount

    • Because Molise Italian Studies is an antiracist organization committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, students at HBCUs receive a discount by enrolling in the program with Study Abroad 4711! For more information and to sign up, please visit the Study Abroad 4711 website.

  • NAU Jacks in Molise
    • Because both Molise Italian Studies and Northern Arizona University (our school of record) are dedicated to providing equitable access to excellence both on campus and abroad, NAU Lumberjack Scholars are guaranteed a $3,800 scholarship towards the Full Semester program fee! This means enjoying a semester in Italy (including 15 credits, a customized internship and homestay, unforgettable Molise excursions, and a 4-day trip to Rome) for not much more than your average cost of living in Flagstaff.
  • Molise Italian Studies also offers discounts to veterans and active military, members of the same family, and MIS alumni. Please inquire during the application process for specific information and eligibility.

Applicants with demonstrated financial need may be eligible for a tuition discount through work as an unpaid intern with Molise Italian Studies. If you are interested in such a position, please indicate this on your application.

We encourage you to research and apply for scholarships or other funding sources, and offer some recommendations on our program overview page. As funding permits, we will also consider all applicants for full or partial scholarships, with preference given to applicants from historically disadvantaged groups and those who have a demonstrated record of strong academic performance.

Upcoming program dates are as follows:

Summer 2024 Cohort:

  • June 3-July 26, 2024 (On-Site June 9-July 20)

Summer 2025 Cohort:

  • June 2-July 25, 2025 (On-Site June 8-July 19)

Summer Internship + fees ($4,995) include:

  • Program tuition and U.S. academic credit (7 total credits through our school of record, Northern Arizona University)
  • MIS 304 – Global Competency, Health and Identity (3 credits)
  • Customized internship placement (4 credits)
  • Comprehensive study abroad health insurance through CISI
  • Accommodation with carefully selected local host family (& accommodation in Campobasso during the orientation and intensive Italian course)
  • Daily breakfast & dinner
  • Airport pickup and transportation upon arrival
  • Orientation to program, region and placements
  • International Ambassador program
  • On-site advisors dedicated to providing personal and academic mentoring
  • Optional Molise-based tours/experiences
  • 24-hour on-site emergency support
  • Molise IS Difr Dive microcredential and AFS Global Competence Certificate upon completion
  • Transcript detailing your studies and service
  • Pre-departure and Re-entry services, including assistance with financial aid, travel documents, insurance and credit transfer, as well as a virtual digital storytelling event
  • Molise IS Ambassador Program for alumni

Program fees do not include:

  • Cost of round trip airfare
  • Fees for passport, visa, permit to stay, etc.
  • Personal travel expenses and any additional meals, snacks or drinks
  • Bring a Friend!
    • Are you hoping to share your transformational experience with a friend? If you and a friend each enroll in our Summer Internship + program, you BOTH receive $100 off the program fee! Bring more than one friend and receive $100 off the program fee for EACH friend (up to the full program cost)!
  • HBCU Study Abroad 4711 Program Discount

      • Because Molise Italian Studies is an antiracist organization committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, students at HBCUs receive a discount by enrolling in the program with Study Abroad 4711! For more information and to sign up, please visit the Study Abroad 4711 website.

  • Molise Italian Studies also offers discounts to veterans and active military, members of the same family, and MIS alumni. Please inquire during the application process for specific information and eligibility.

Applicants with demonstrated financial need may be eligible for a tuition discount through work as an unpaid intern with Molise Italian Studies. If you are interested in such a position, please indicate this on your application.

We encourage you to research and apply for scholarships or other funding sources, and offer some recommendations on our program overview page. As funding permits, we will also consider all applicants for full or partial scholarships, with preference given to applicants from historically disadvantaged groups and those who have a demonstrated record of strong academic performance.

Internship placements are customized and are available in almost any field of study and industry, including agriculture, archaeology, business and marketing, communication, culinary arts, hospitality and tourism, outdoor adventures, and many more. Indeed, businesses like Martino Coltivazione, an olive oil producer in Colletorto, can offer placements in multiple areas, such as research and development, content marketing, and oil production. Fonderia Marinelli, the Pontifical bell foundry in Agnone, can offer placements in engineering and craftsmanship. The possibilities are boundless. Meet some of our internship providers.

You will work out your exact schedule with your host, but you should expect to work approximately 30 hours/week.

You will live with an extensively pre-screened local host family, chosen specifically for you based on your housing preferences, and we will do our best to address dietary restrictions and any other special needs. Your host family will provide friendly support and a home away from home. You will enjoy two authentic home-cooked family meals every day, and you will benefit from informal & immersive Italian conversation. If you require a particular housing solution (if, for example, you are a married couple), please let us know on the housing questionnaire and contact us. Meet some of our host families here.

While Molise Italian Studies programs are intensive and comprehensive, part of our holistic approach to intercultural development and education abroad is to ensure that you have time to relax, unwind, and reflect on all that you are learning. You will usually work in your service placement for about 4-5 hours per day and will need to prepare for and attend class weekly, but most evening and weekend time is free. For those interested in more structured programming beyond our included outings, less formal events will be planned and advertised most weekends, depending on regional happenings and participant interest.

Molise Italian Studies is a perfect choice if you are looking for a well-rounded set of experiences while preparing for, or taking a break from, university studies. You will develop the ability to bridge across difference while gaining invaluable career and language training.

Molise Italian Studies is a perfect choice if you are looking to further enrich your intellect and expand your social skills through an authentic human experience. You will develop the ability to bridge across difference while gaining invaluable career and language training.

To enroll, you will fill out and submit the online enrollment application, then complete and submit (by email or mail) the documents in the enrollment packet. Prior to admission, you will participate in a short video chat interview with program staff.

Molise Italian Studies accepts enrollment applications on a rolling basis, but in order to keep cohorts small and personal, we advise that you apply to enroll as soon as possible (and at least 2 months prior to the program start date).

We accept applications from gap year students, college students, and unaffiliated lifelong learners. Participants must be at least 18 years of age by the time of departure. Molise Italian Studies is an intense and rigorous program. The most qualified applicants will not only demonstrate a history of strong academic performance, but will also be well-rounded and open to new and transformative experiences.

In accordance with our mission and goals, Molise Italian Studies is an antiracist organization committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from those of any race, creed, color, ethnicity, language, national origin, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or marital status.

If you currently receive federal, state, or institutional financial aid, you may be able to use some or all of your aid toward the cost of your program. This includes scholarships, grants and personal loans. You must confirm with your home institution that the financial aid you currently receive is applicable towards your participation with Molise Italian Studies, though a consortium agreement may be required.

See the Federal Student Aid site and NAFSA’s Financial Aid for Study Abroad: An Undergraduate Student’s Resource for the best information.

Budgeting is very personal, but costs in Molise are generally quite reasonable. We do recommend that you have access to extra funds (including at least some cash) to cover additional food and beverages, optional activities, public transport, travel and any other personal expenses.

Molise Italian Studies programs are intensive, and you are also forging bonds with locals and fellow participants alike. If family or friends are planning to visit, we recommend that this be scheduled during a break week. Non-participants will be responsible for arranging their own housing, etc., but let us know if we can be of assistance with recommendations or advice.

You will receive details before you depart explaining the best methods for your family and friends to reach you by mail. Prescription medication should not be mailed once you are abroad as it is often held up in Customs. Please work with your doctor and insurance provider to obtain a semester’s worth of medication to carry with you.

Faculty-Led Programs FAQ

Molise Italian Studies Faculty-Led programs are not traditional study abroad trips. We partner with faculty to develop a framework of inquiry & reflection, as well as prepare specific background and culture-specific content to set the stage for effective community-based learning. Students and faculty alike will take part in an authentic Italian experience customized for any field of study, all centered around Global Intercultural Citizenship education.

You teach a class within your area of expertise/interest, we do the rest! Instead of a typical faculty-led program, we can help you customize your course and intertwine it with our program of Intercultural Citizenship. There are a number of ways we can structure the program, depending on the desired length, etc. We help you take advantage of local resources and activities to supplement your course, and we handle all the logistical, cultural, health and safety, and support matters. If you are looking to make connections with international universities, you may also be able to partner with the University of Molise in Campobasso.

Teach your course content as you discover with your students an unknown Italy while sampling unparalleled local foods, learning to bridge cultural differences, and exploring Molise’s beautiful beaches, majestic mountains, and ancient hillside villages through a variety of cultural, historical, and outdoor activities, as well as customized hands-on experiences. Walk away with the Global Competence Certificate and a lifetime’s worth of memories. Explore our Faculty-Led Programs below.

Faculty-Led Program fees include:

  • Field-specific shadowing, interview, and collaboration opportunities with local organizations
  • Contextual Italian language mini-lessons, focused on practical and relevant language tasks
  • Cultural, historical, and outdoor activities, as well as customized hands-on experiences
  • Difr Dive Intercultural Citizenship Short-Course
  • Double accommodations (single rooms and upgrades available at additional cost)
  • All local transportation, including pickup at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport (airfare not included)
  • Some meals
  • Optional add-ons prior to or following this program: add a second MIS program (and get $100 off both!), book further activities with one of our partners, or let us help put together a trip to Rome or Naples
  • On-site support and guide

Cost: Varies with the number of students, specific dates & locations, and accommodations, but a key element of our mission is to keep study abroad as affordable and accessible as possible, and we take advantage of our relationships in Molise to keep costs as close to (and often lower than) your budget as possible.

Program fees do not include:

  • Cost of round trip airfare
  • Insurance
  • Fees for passport, visa, permit to stay, etc.
  • Personal travel expenses and any additional meals, snacks or drinks

Fill out the interest form at the bottom of the Faculty-Led Programs page. We will be in touch shortly to begin designing a customized Faculty-Led Program experience for your students.

Week Without Walls Program FAQ

Designed in partnership with the American School of the Hague and centered around Global Intercultural Citizenship, Week Without Walls gives students the chance to address a challenging question surrounding one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals through the pre-departure preparation and on-site execution of a community-based service project in the charming town of Agnone. Students will participate in Intercultural Citizenship and basic Italian language seminars, collaborate with Italian students, and explore Agnone through guided excursions. Week Without Walls is a fun and otherwise unavailable learning experience that allows students to connect knowledge gained in school with real world service and forge relationships both within their group and with their host community.

Week Without Walls Program fees include:

  • Pre-departure virtual Intercultural Citizenship seminars
  • Global Competence Certificate program
  • Community-based project in collaboration with local school and comune, and surrounding one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • Topic-specific interview and collaboration opportunities with local organizations
  • Contextual Italian language mini-lessons, focused on practical and relevant language tasks
  • Cultural, historical, and outdoor activities, as well as customized hands-on experiences
  • Double accommodations in a local hostel, hotel, or B&B
  • All meals
  • All local transportation, including pickup at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport (airfare not included)
  • Optional add-ons prior to or following this program: add a second MIS program (and get 10% off both!), book further activities with one of our partners, or let us help put together a trip to Rome or Naples
  • On-site support and guide
  • Re-entry virtual meetings, including digital storytelling
  • Molise IS WWW Intercultural Citizenship Badge

Cost: Varies with the number of students, specific dates & locations, and accommodations, but a key element of our mission is to keep study abroad as affordable and accessible as possible, and we take advantage of our relationships in Molise to keep costs as close to (and often lower than) your budget as possible.

Program fees do not include:

  • Cost of round trip airfare
  • Insurance
  • Fees for passport, visa, permit to stay, etc.
  • Personal travel expenses and any additional meals, snacks or drinks

Fill out the interest form at the bottom of the Week Without Walls page. We will be in touch shortly to begin designing a customized Week Without Walls experience for your students.

CIC & Difr FAQ

The Center for Intercultural Citizenship is the domestic and virtual division of Molise Italian Studies, and offers virtual courses and coaching surrounding Personal Development and Intercultural Citizenship, virtual internships through our partner, Kambia, one-off workshops on Thriving in a Globalized World, and Difr Live, a blog and podcast highlighting the power of the human story.

Whether you are looking to find your place in the human experience while gaining invaluable career training, craving a more purposeful education and a more intentional life, wanting to make a global impact and develop authentic connections without leaving your home community, or wondering how you can implement positive, effective, and sustainable change towards a more just and equitable society, The Center for Intercultural Citizenship empowers you to enhance your personal growth and leverage cultural competence for social equity.

Explore Difr Dive, Difr Dive +, Difr Strive, and Difr Deep Dive Coaching, as well as our Virtual Internships and Workshops. Each of us makes a ripple. Together let’s make waves!

This interactive and reflective digital workbook provides an introduction to Intercultural Citizenship and a full month of personal development and growth opportunities. Difr Thrive is a groundbreaking approach to continuing your personal development journey, full of information, inspiration, engaging journal prompts, space to apply tools from our workshops, and weekly check-ins.

Get your free copy of Difr Thrive as part of any Molise Italian Studies or Center for Intercultural Citizenship program.

With options for every learner and every schedule, our Difr Short Courses and Coaching are designed around the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®) and AFS Global Competence Certificate program. In small and personal cohorts, you will develop cultural awareness and adaptability, more effectively engage cross-culturally, and begin setting goals for your ongoing personal development, all the while guided by expert and caring instructors who are qualified IDI® administrators, GCC facilitators, and extensively trained in facilitating intercultural competence.

Difr Dive and  Difr Dive + are 4-week programs of personal development and Intercultural Citizenship.

Difr Dive + is an 8-week program of personal development, Intercultural Citizenship, and service, with 3 academic credits available through Northern Arizona University (additional $500 transcript fee).

Difr Strive is virtual education and themed travel.

Difr Deep Dive Coaching is continued personal development and Intercultural Citizenship for graduates of a Difr short course.

New cohorts of Difr Dive and Difr Dive + usually start every month, while Difr Deep Dive Coaching is open to graduates of one of those three short courses.

Don’t wait–enroll now!

  • Cost: $850/person
  • 4-hour virtual introductory workshop
  • Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®) & debrief
  • Global Competence Certificate program
  • CulturaGo culture-specific modules
  • Guided mental health activities and available live chat-ins with a licensed Mental Health professional
  • “What Now?” Action Plan and Career Preparation
  • Difr Live Human Story experience
  • 6-week community-based volunteer opportunity
  • 3 academic credits available through Northern Arizona University
  • Difr IC microcredential
  • Free copy of Difr Thrive: A Reflective Workbook
  • Enroll in Difr Deep Dive Coaching at the same time and get $100 off!
  • Enroll with a friend or partner (helping hold each other accountable) and get $100 off for each of you!
  • Cost: $1,495/person (or $995 without US academic credits)

Yes. Contact us to discuss bulk pricing for educational institutions.

  • Monthly virtual seminars to engage thoughtfully with new concepts and ideas
  • Peer support through open and facilitated discussions around wins, insights, obstacles, and more
  • Groups available for adults and teens
  • Second Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®) & debrief at the end of your first year’s membership
  • Consider combining Difr Deep Dive Coaching with a Virtual Internship or arranging a volunteer placement on your own
  • Enroll in Difr Dive or Difr Dive + at the same time and get $100 off that program!
  • Cost: $750/person for 1 year

You will receive The Center for Intercultural Citizenship Certificate of Intercultural Citizenship, the AFS Global Competence Certificate, and the Difr IC microcredential.

To enroll, please fill out and submit the online enrollment form. Prior to enrollment confirmation, applicants will participate in a short video chat interview with program staff.

Enroll in Difr Deep Dive Coaching at the same time as Difr Dive or Difr Dive + and get $100 off!

And if you enroll with a friend or partner (helping hold each other accountable), you each get $100 off!

CIC Virtual Internships are a way to achieve global impact and authentic connections without leaving home.

Combine Difr Dive or Difr Dive + with a virtual internship and gain valuable career experience by implementing your developing Intercultural Citizenship skills to contribute to resolving health and economic disparities in global communities.

If you are part of a group of at least 5 students hoping to complete a common internship experience in Business & Social Enterprise, Nursing & Public Health, Social Justice & Community Development, Engineering, or Medicine & Dentistry, our partner organization, Kambia, will arrange a customized and transformative virtual internship, presenting participants with a community challenge and using experts on the ground to analyze and problem solve. A follow-up trip on-site may also be possible.

Make sure to indicate your interest in a virtual internship when enrolling in your Difr program.

Kambia’s virtual modules are designed to meet the needs of a variety of class schedules, from a Winter Break, the first or second half of a semester, a full semester, or variable summer sessions. The standard virtual meeting time is two hours in length, which allows adequate time for students to engage with community members or individuals. Kambia will work with you to accommodate days of the week and individual session meeting times.

To enroll in Difr Dive or Difr Dive +, please fill out and submit the online enrollment form. Prior to enrollment confirmation, applicants will participate in a short video chat interview with program staff.

Make sure to indicate your interest in a virtual internship when enrolling. You must be part of a group of at least 5 students hoping to complete a common internship experience.

The additional fee for a Kambia virtual internship is quite modest, though costs vary according to the number of students and the number of sessions.

Either virtual or in-person, the CIC workshop, “Bridge the Difference, Make a Difference, and Thrive in a Globalized World” is an essential 4-hour interactive seminar on how Intercultural Citizenship can help you thrive in a globalized world. It is an opportunity to realize your best self—your vision of who you really are at your core.

CIC workshops are perfect for local communities, workplaces of all kinds, educators, pre-departure study abroad students, or anyone else about to travel or wanting to find success in bridging across difference.

Participants will complete the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®) and receive a group debrief (with the option to add a personal debrief), as well as an introduction to Personal Leadership and training in the Critical Moment Dialogue. Upon completion participants will also receive a digital certificate and a free downloadable copy of Difr Thrive: A Reflective Workbook for continuing their IC journey.

Please fill out the interest form on the Workshops page to arrange a date and time for a CIC workshop.

Please fill out the interest form on the Workshops page to arrange a date and time for a CIC workshop.

The cost of the CIC workshop is $800 (plus $20/participant to cover the cost of the IDI) for up to 25 participants.

Health, Safety, COVID, & Policy FAQ

Flexibility, as always when abroad, will be important for both participants and program administrators. We will be working closely with local authorities and consular partners to make sure we are following the most up-to-date guidelines and procedures for COVID-19. We are constantly monitoring Italian entry regulations and physical distancing protocols, which are fluid and change often. In all cases, we defer to local regulations. Students are asked to sign an updated Code of Conduct. As part of the Code of Conduct, we expect all students to comply with any host country mandates and any imposed restrictions regarding health and safety. For more information, visit the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control, and United States Department of State.

Students who have COVID-19 symptoms should immediately inform Molise Italian Studies staff, who will help them follow local guidance for testing and follow-up care, if needed.

Yes. In order to protect and respect the citizens of Molise, as well as your fellow students, we do require that you receive a COVID vaccine prior to arrival in Molise. If there are exceptional circumstances, please contact Molise Italian Studies to discuss how to move forward.

Flights to Italy are operating and US citizens are permitted to enter Italy without restriction.

Once in Italy, no curfews or restrictions on intercity or interstate travel are in place, and it is no longer mandatory to show a Green Pass to access businesses and services.

There are no longer any restrictions for returning US citizens. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is, however, required for non-U.S. citizen, nonimmigrant passengers arriving from a foreign country to the United States by air.

Participants testing positive for COVID would be subject to immediate quarantine in their accommodation or in separate accommodation if required. If someone in the house tests positive for COVID-19 then the appropriate officials will be contacted and the correct quarantine steps put in place. If the person is very ill, they will go straight to hospital. If they are well enough to stay at home they will be quarantined as well as other family members as required by the authorities. If needed we will utilize additional accommodation so participants can quarantine in private rooms. Meals and/or groceries would be arranged to be delivered in a safe and secure manner.

We will follow all local guidelines so that participants can safely attend class. If face-to-face classes need to be suspended for any reason, we will be able to continue with a virtual delivery model allowing participants to finish the academic portion of the program (thereby not losing progress towards degree completion).

While we don’t expect to cancel programs, it can happen. If the cancellation occurs prior to your program, we would encourage you to defer your program to a future term. If you choose, instead, not to complete the program, we will refund any recoverable costs. Otherwise, see our normal cancellation policy.

Yes, participants in the Full Semester or Summer Internship + programs will be enrolled in a premium plan through CISI for the duration of the Molise Italian Studies program. Designed specifically for cultural exchange participants, the plan provides accident and sickness insurance, medical evacuation and repatriation, as well as security evacuations should they become necessary. The plan also includes a worldwide, 24-hour emergency telephone assistance service, offering multilingual medical, travel, and technical advice. Our on-site staff is available to accompany students to doctor visits in severe cases. For more information see Health & Safety.

We strongly encourage all Adult Study Abroad, Faculty-Led, and Week Without Walls participants to enroll in a similar policy.

Absolutely. Once you are in Italy, you will have access to 24-hour bilingual onsite support, an emergency phone number in case of serious safety or health issues, and program advisors who are available daily to offer personal and academic mentoring.

The safety, security, and well-being of participants is our first priority. Molise Italian Studies manages a local 24-hour emergency phone number, and on-site staff are always available to answer questions and concerns. In the event of an emergency that affects multiple participants Molise Italian Studies will coordinate the immediate response with local officials, U.S. embassy and consular officials, and participants’ families and/or home schools, including confirming the safety of all participants.

We ask that all participants keep our staff informed of their whereabouts, and, in the case of an emergency, to communicate as soon as possible with their families, parents, or guardians to let them know that they are safe. The included CISI health insurance plan (for Full Semester and Summer Internship + participants) provides accident and sickness insurance, medical evacuation and repatriation, as well as security evacuations should they become necessary. The plan also includes a worldwide, 24-hour emergency telephone assistance service, offering multilingual medical, travel, and technical advice. For more information see Health & Safety.

Arrival day or the first day of the course is considered the start of the program. The confirmation deposit is not refundable at any time. Further program cost liability is based on the date on which Molise Italian Studies receives a cancellation request. If a cancellation request is received 36 or more days before program start, a full refund is provided (minus the non-refundable confirmation deposit and any costs already incurred). If a cancellation request is received 35 days or less before program start, participants are liable for the following penalties:

  • 35 days before the start of program – 1 days before the start of program: 50% of program fee
  • Day of program start or after: 100% of program fee

For more information, see the Full Semester/Summer Internship + cancellation and refund policy or the Adult Study Abroad cancellation and refund policy.

The first day of a course is considered the start of the program. The confirmation deposit is not refundable at any time. Further program cost liability is based on the date on which The Center for Intercultural Citizenship receives a cancellation request. If a cancellation request is received 15 or more days before program start, a full refund is provided (minus the non-refundable confirmation deposit and the cost of any materials already provided). If a cancellation request is received 14 days or less before program start, participants are liable for the following penalties:

  • 14 days before the start of program – 1 day before start of program: 50% of program fee
  • First day of program or after: 100% of program fee

For more information, see the full Difr Policies page.

Advisors & Faculty FAQ

Certo (of course)! In order to make the credit transfer process as easy as possible, we recommend asking your institution to become a program affiliate and pre-approve the Molise Italian Studies program courses. We occasionally hold open houses for education abroad and international programs faculty and staff, and we would also be happy to set up virtual meetings with individual institutions.

To receive a review copy of our syllabi, please email us at info [at] moliseitalianstudies [dot] com, or use our contact form.

We love to show faculty and staff our wonderful program locations! Molise Italian Studies is happy to assist with site visits, determined on an individual basis.