International Programs

Catania is a vibrant and historic town on the eastern side of Sicily, at the foot of the famous Mount Etna, one of Europe’s most active volcanoes. A hub of Sicilian culinary arts and agriculture, Catania has famous outdoor markets and a world-renowned open air fish market. Black sand beaches border the town, and there are lots of cultural, sport and leisure activities to keep you busy in your free time.

Classes and residences are on board the MV Explorer, a 590-foot ship made into a floating campus. There are seven decks, student residences, dining halls, a library, recreational facilities, and more. Check out the Semester at Sea website for more information!

This study tour will visit London, England; Paris, France; and the Italian cities of Florence, Siena and Rome.

visit: http://health.oregonstate.edu/students/current/undergraduate/study-abroad/dhe for details.

Surrounded by Romanesque, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture on a hilltop between the Chienti and Potenza rivers, Macerata is located in central Italy, a short drive from the Adriatic coast. The Art Studio program is designed for art majors or minors or for students who have completed previous Art course work.  Courses are held in a 17th century Palazzo Ricci in the center of the medieval walled city, perched atop the university hill town of Macerata.  Every other year, students will attend the Venice Biennale, one of the most influential cultural institutions in the world, as part of their course work.  In addition, students will explore Macerata and the surrounding Marche region for historic and modern inspirations. The studio and classrooms in the AHA Macerata Center are adorned with frescoes and unique architectural details accompanied by the modern comforts of wi-fi.  The contemporary art collection of the Pinacoteca di Arte Italiana di Palazzo Ricci is located in the same Palazzo as the AHA Center with a separate location just around the corner, providing additional insight and inspiration. Macerata is only 30 minutes by bus or train to the Adriatic coast, where students can relax under the Italian summer sun at the beaches of Civitanova.

The capital of Italy, Rome has always been a cultural and political stronghold and crossroads for people from across the globe. The glorious history of the eternal city can be seen in the form of artwork, exquisite monuments, museums, churches and architecture. One of the grandest sites in Rome is the great Colosseum, which remains an architectural feat in the eyes of modern engineers and has recently been named one of the “Seven Wonders of the Modern World.” The Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square and the Basilica of St. Peter are an ever-present reminder of the Catholic Church’s historical and religious influence. Rome is also full of picturesque piazzas and famous fountains. Here, Romans and visitors alike can step out of the hustle and bustle of modern Rome and enjoy people-watching over a caffé. If you are looking to study in a cosmopolitan city rich with history, art, architecture and diverse people from around the globe, Rome beckons!

Naples is a bustling ancient Greco-Roman city south of Rome, home to many historically and culturally significant sites, including the ruins of Pompeii.

Located in the region of Tuscany, Florence has long been described as a "flower" or a "pomegranate tree," bringing to mind images of fertility, lush new life, and beauty. Florence has been all of these things for centuries, and despite tragedies of plague, fire, flood, and famine, the city has endured as a center of the arts. Florence is situated on the banks of the Arno River, surrounded by hills of rolling Italian countryside. To study and live in florence is to walk the streets of Dante, Brunelleschi, Giotto, and many more contributors to the arts and humanities.

Taormina is a quaint medieval town perched on the summit of Mt. Tauro, in the northeast corner of the island of Sicily. Taormina’s amazing views of the turquoise Ionian Sea and Homer’s mythical Mount Etna have captivated artists, photographers and writers for centuries. The 2000+ year old Greek Theater, only steps from campus, hosts contemporary and classical concerts, opera, ballet, plays and events, as well as an International Film Festival in June ongoing since the 1950’s. Along the narrow medieval streets are architectural gifts from the many civilizations which ruled Sicily since its early Greek years, including a Roman amphitheater, Norman castle, Byzantine fountain and Arabic palace.

Florence, Italy

With a population of 65,000, Siena sits atop three converging hills, only forty miles southwest of Florence. Siena's Duomo (Cathedral) is a spectacular example of Gothic Italian architecture, and the accompanying museum houses magnificent works by Italian masters such as Duccio and Giotto. Its soaring skyline is its pride, dominated by the blazing black and white banner of the Duomo and the taut needle of the Torre del Mangia. Students in the program have the luxury of living in a city of the Middle Ages while enjoying convenient access to modern cultural centers such as Florence, Pisa, Rome, Venice, and Milan.