CRITERIA

Student, age 15-19. Completion of 9th grade by participation date. Demonstrates proficiency in focus area (see portfolio requirements below). THERE IS NO LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT. In examining completed applications, we ask two fundamental questions:

1. Is this student prepared to meet the challenges of the program?
2. Is this person going to make a good ambassador for school and country, taking constructive advantage of opportunities, exploring new interests and ideas, and making healthy contributions to the program?

We examine teacher recommendations to answer this first question. We rely heavily on the student essays and the recommendations to answer the second question.

STUDENT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

A completed application to Spoleto Study Abroad includes the following:

• Completed application form
• Two Teacher recommendations, emailed to admin@spoletostudyabroad.org
• $95.00 non-refundable application fee (Application fee is waived for all applications received by 11:59pm EST on Nov 30, 2024)

Note: Recommendation Instructions should be given to those from whom you are asking for a recommendation.

DEPOSIT AND FEES

In consideration of your application processing, a $95 application fee is required with this application. The application fee is non-refundable and does not go toward tuition. This application fee is waived for all applications submitted by 11:59pm EST on November 30, 2024.

The comprehensive fee for Spoleto Study Abroad Taste of Umbria Program is $3,975. This fee includes tuition for courses, meals, lodging, entrance fees for group activities, and all field trip-related transportation within Italy. Expenses not included are round-trip airfare to Rome, passport fees, travel insurance, and personal expenses.

Upon acceptance, a 50% deposit is due within 2 weeks in consideration of program planning and reservation of your place in the program. The remainder is payable in full by May 1, 2025. The $95 application fee and 50% deposit are not refundable.

The tuition payment (minus the deposit) is fully refundable until June 16, 2025. Withdrawals from the program must be submitted in writing. In consideration of such application process and program placement and preparation, it is understood and hereby agreed that on or after June 16, 2025, no refund of any amount will be owed by Spoleto Study Abroad to the undersigned or his/her/their family or school for any reason nor will any such refund be made should the student be withdrawn or dismissed from the program. Families are encouraged to purchase travel insurance at the time of payment of tuition deposit. Expenses are based on the exchange rate effective September 1, 2024. Prices are subject to equitable adjustment should there be a significant change in the rate of exchange by May 1, 2025.

Tuition can be paid via credit card, bank transfer, or by check. Please make checks payable to "Spoleto Study Abroad."

*Please note, all credit card transactions will incur an additional processing fee.

TRANSPORTATION

Travel dates are July 16 - July 27, 2025

Arrive in Rome (FCO) on July 17th by 10 am U.S. flights to Rome depart the evening of July 16th

Depart Rome (FCO) after 11 am on July 27th

Spoleto Study Abroad will have a departure flight(s) from the U.S. with Spoleto Study Abroad staff on board. Students are not required to fly on this flight, but have the option to do so. Students make their own travel arrangements.

SUPERVISION AND GUIDELINES

As summer “guests” of the town of Spoleto, the guidelines by which we live consist both of rules to obey and Italian traditions to respect. Our basic code is to forbid any behavior that is illegal, antisocial, or dangerous, either to the student or to the group. Smoking is not allowed. Possession, use or any contact with those in possession of alcohol or drugs is strictly forbidden. Driving any motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and motorbikes is prohibited.

All students live together sharing rooms (double occupancy), collegial style, in a gorgeous renovated 13th century residence (Palazzo Leti) in the historic medieval section of Spoleto. The Palazzo has been updated with modern conveniences and has spacious gardens, terraces, and complimentary breakfast. All rooms come with private bathrooms, a mini fridge, and A/C. It is only a short walk to classes, the main piazzas of town, shops, and restaurants.

Students are supervised and guided by faculty and the fellowship teachers who also stay in the Palazzo in order to oversee student life.

GENERAL BEHAVIOR

For obvious reasons, students are expected to maintain a standard of behavior representative of the program. Excessive noise, abuse of property or facilities and similar lapses from this standard are strictly forbidden. Our faculty-in-residence take responsibility for maintaining standards of behavior, in addition to their primary role as teachers and advisors. Both to protect our students’ well-being and to respect the rules and standards of Spoleto Study Abroad, we must reserve the right to send home, at the family’s expense, any student who violates these rules.