Arcadia Italy
Our Fall 2024 Events and Co-Curricular Excursions
Studying in Italy this coming Fall? We have a fantastic set of events and co-curricular excursions planned to discover Italy and beyond!
A colazione in Perugia - Free Event
If you are an Arcadia student in Perugia, few days following your arrival join us for a typical "cappuccino e cornetto". It will be a great way to meet the Arcadia staff based in Italy and get to know each other.
Accessibility: The location is on the ground floor, near the school, and it is fully accessible, ensuring everyone can comfortably attend.
Arcadia Aperitivo-Dinner in Florence - Free Event
A few days following their arrival in the country, all the students studying through Arcadia in Florence are invited to an aperitivo in a trendy location in the city center. The aperitivo has become a social ritual for Italians. Consisting of a pre-dinner light drink combined with finger food, this tradition is a perfect way to get together and get to know each other. The event takes place in the city, at a walkable distance from the school, and is accessible to all students in the program.
Accessibility: The location is on the ground floor, at a walking distance from school and is fully accessible, ensuring everyone can comfortably attend.
Sweet Treats in Sorrento - Free Event
Arcadia extends an invitation to all of our new students embarking on an exciting Fall 2024 at Sant’Anna Institute. A few days after your arrival, you’re welcome to partake in an afternoon, a chat, a stroll in the picturesque cobblestone streets of Sorrento and a free gelato. It will be a moment to forge connections that will accompany you throughout your time here. We also hope to create space for you to meet your fellow Arcadia students, share your stories, and begin this new chapter of life!
Accessibility: The gelato shop is conveniently located on the ground floor, in the city center and is fully accessible. The stroll will take us through accessible paths to ensure everyone can comfortably participate.
Arcadia Two days Excursion in Passignano sul Trasimeno
In mid-September, the Arcadia students in Italy are invited to join us on an overnight trip to Lake Trasimeno, nestled in the Umbria region, the heart of Italy. Upon arrival at the hotel, the participants will have time to rest before meeting with the Arcadia staff to explore the area's rich historical and religious roots. We'll take a ferry and visit one of the islands, Isola Maggiore. Our tour guide will take us on a slow-paced walking tour, sharing fascinating stories. In this little village, most of the paths are paved, there are a couple of cafeterias and a restaurant. For those who wish to explore the highest part of the island, there is an option to take a short track on the stairs that lead to the breathtaking views on the lake and nature surrounding the island.
Price: $125 for students studying in Florence and Perugia and includes transportation, a guided tour, ferry tickets, and overnight stay in hotel (breakfast included). For Sant'Anna students, there is no cost (fee already included in program).
Accessibility: students who do not wish to walk up to the highest part of the island may stay in the village, where they can enjoy the atmosphere, local shops, and cafes while waiting for the others to return. After the walking tour and village visit, students will have free time for the rest of the afternoon and evening.
On the following day, we will visit our cherished destination: the Orsini farm. As described in 'A Day in the Countryside' below, we will meet more students coming to Italy through Arcadia to spend a very special day discovering culture, traditions and authenticity!
A Day in the Countryside - Free Event
We'll take the whole community of students studying with Arcadia in Florence, Perugia and Sorrento to a very special venue: the Orsini Farm, on the Trasimeno Lake in Italy's Umbria region. It is a Sunday where we’ll learn more about the local context. Upon arrival we’ll share a traditional homemade country breakfast and split into groups. Each group will take turns doing the typical farming activities. Depending on the season, we’ll plant seeds, harvest grapes, pick olives, or make olive oil and wine with the family members and friends who volunteer their time to teach you their secrets before cooking our multi-course lunch (including the traditional Torta al Testo or pasta you’ll have made!). We will have the opportunity to discuss sustainable farming practices and if time and weather allow, we'll feed the animals of the farm.
Accessibility: The adventure begins with a short walk up a gentle slope leading to the farm’s entrance. For students who may have difficulty walking, transportation by car is available to ensure everyone can join in the experience comfortably.
Sailing and Hiking on the Sorrento Peninsula - Discussing Freedom and Responsibility
Being in the wild is a philosophy of life for various reasons. While sailing or hiking, you are conditioned by the nature and skills of the group, which safety and cohesion are fundamental; you value the essentials, endurance, and adaptability: get rid of the superfluous and learn who you are, how you adapt to the external environment, and what is really necessary and useful. For this reason, these activities are often used as a powerful metaphor for the philosophical concepts of freedom and responsibility. Sailing as well as hiking reminds us that while we have the freedom to make choices and pursue our dreams, we are also responsible for the consequences of our actions and the impact they have on ourselves, others, and the world around us. These metaphors encourage us to navigate the waters of life with mindfulness, ethical awareness, and a sense of stewardship for the world we inhabit.
Join us on a weekend exploration of the Sorrento Peninsula, reflecting on these theoretical concepts. We will spend the nights in the cool and touristy city of Sorrento. The first day will be dedicated to a sailing boat tour in the Gulf of Naples, while on the second day, we will climb the Vulcan Vesuvius. Apart from visiting one of the most beautiful attractions of the Italian coastline, we will immerse ourselves in a profound reflection on the topics of Freedom and Responsibility dealing with two natural forces: the sea and the Vulcan Vesuvio. The group will be accompanied by a professor of Philosophy, a sailor, and a hiking guide. We will also visit a Museum at the bottom of the Vulcan explaining the relations between the local communities and “the dangerous mountain” over the centuries.
The participants must read academic articles provided by the accompanying staff and be ready to discuss them with the local hosts and the other participating students. Students may receive an Arcadia Co-Curricular Learning Certificate (CLC) once they submit a reflection piece on their experience.
Price: total price will vary between $400 and $650 based on program. Price includes transportation, tour guides, sailing tour, Vesuvius tour, and one dinner. Price may also include hotel (two nights) depending on program.
Accessibility (sailing): The boat is comfortable and easily accessible. The waters of the Gulf of Naples are typically calm, making it accessible for everyone. However, students who know they suffer from seasickness should avoid this trip. There will be pills available on the boat for any malaise.
Accessibility (hiking): There are several trails leading up to Mount Vesuvius's summit. Share possible walking difficulties with the staff before the travel in order to choose the most appropriate track.
Explore Morocco with Arcadia
The excursion is open to students interested in applying academic theories in the fields of Immigration and Women's Rights, alongside an exploration of Morocco’s Islamic culture and society. During this four-day trip, you will experience the magic of Morocco through the lens of the local communities (homestays, tour guides, college students, women's centers, immigrants, and Peace Corps). You’ll explore some Northern Moroccan historical and cultural sites, learning about lifestyle, and politics. This is one of the most popular excursions among the students, who often describe it as an eye-opening, mind-blowing experience!
This excursion is co-organized with the Arcadia Center in Granada and is open to students studying with Arcadia in Spain and in Italy. The participants must read academic articles provided by the accompanying staff and be ready to discuss them with the Moroccan hosts and the other participating students. Students may receive an Arcadia Co-Curricular Learning Certificate (CLC) once they submit a reflection piece on their experience.
Price: $1,050 and includes transportation, accommodation, and meals within Morocco. Students will have to pay for their own food and beverages when traveling from Italy to Morocco.
Accessibility: Some paths can be challenging for students, particularly a visit to a farmers’ house located on a hill or the highest part of the city of Chefchaouen.
Madrid - A Journey Through Power and Culture in the Heart of Spain
In Spain, they say that Madrid is the last stop before paradise. Get ready to explore and immerse yourself in the Spanish culture by traveling to the capital city of Spain. This three-day educational trip is designed to learn about the influence of power in our lives (history, politics, art, and even gastronomy). This trip includes guided visits to art museums, Madrid’s Royal Palace, and the centers of cultural and political power (past and present). You will learn about Spain, its strong relationship with Italy and the US, and how Spaniards perceive themselves. You will have time to discuss different topics about immigration, socioeconomic differences, quality of life, nightlife, cultural movements, and much more. You will share this experience with other Arcadia participants studying in Granada and our local staff.
Day 1 - Ancient Madrid & Madrid of the Habsburgs. Arcadia staff will help you discover the origins of Madrid and learn about the power exercised by the royalty and culture of a whole country. Discuss the relationship between old and modern cultures and the elements that we still share from our past. You will also enjoy some delicious churros with chocolate in one of the best places in the city!
Day 2 - Madrid of the Bourbons & Culture. Learn about the current royal family and the importance of their role in Spanish society, politics, and culture. Discuss the appropriation and evolution of national symbols, the influence of fascism in the twentieth century, and how heritage and culture can be biased for ideological purposes. You will visit the stunning Royal Palace with an official tour guide. In the afternoon, you will have the chance to visit the Prado Museum, Spain’s main art museum, and single best art collection, with paintings by Diego Velázquez, El Greco, Francisco de Goya, or Artemisia Gentileschi.
Day 3—Back to Italy. Reflect on the impact and sustainability of tourism on our cities. Madrid and Rome are good examples of international cities that attract millions of tourists every year and need extra services to meet all citizens’ needs.
This excursion is co-organized with the Arcadia Center in Granada and is open to students studying with Arcadia in Italy and in Spain. The participants must read academic articles provided by the accompanying staff and be ready to discuss them with our group leaders and other participating students. Students may receive an Arcadia Co-Curricular Learning Certificate (CLC) once they submit a reflection piece on their experience.
Price: $600 and includes transportation, accommodation, meals (Saturday and Sunday breakfasts, Friday group snack and dinner, Saturday group lunch and coupon for dinner), guided tours, and tickets for the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum.
Accessibility: Madrid is a very accessible city. We will have several tours at the city center near the Royal Palace and the main square, known as Puerta del Sol. There are no hills or uneven paths in the area. Ramps and elevators are available in all the museums and places we will be visiting. We will walk for a couple of hours on each tour, but we will stop to make sure all students can follow the tours and explanations given by the tour guides.
Rome - Ancient Glories, Modern Stories: Exploring History, Fascism and Modern Challenges
A Three-days excursion in Rome, designed to delve into the city’s rich history. You’ll explore the magnificence of the Roman Empire, the dark chapters of the Fascist Era and the impact that contemporary phenomena like immigration and cultural heritage management has on the city. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on how a modern state engages with its past and how newcomers, like immigrants, adapt and perceive it.
Day 1 - Ancient Rome - Explore the political and social heart of ancient Rome with a guided visit to the Palatine Hill and the Roman Villas underneath the ground. Discuss governance and public life in the Roman Empire and examine symbols of power and submission that persist in the city today.
Day 2 - EUR district - Discuss the impact of fascism in Italy and explore the district’s architecture, commissioned by Missolini to reflect fascist ideals. Discuss how Italy has chosen to address (or avoid) this phase of its history.
Day 3—The Rome Historical and Touristic Center and newcomers' perceptions. Reflect on the impact of tourism on ancient cities and how modern life interacts with cultural sites. Gain unique insights from a group of anonymous immigrants who will share their perspectives on Rome.
This excursion is co-organized with the Arcadia Center in Granada and is open to students studying with Arcadia in Spain and in Italy. The participants must read academic articles provided by the accompanying staff and be ready to discuss them with our group leaders and other participating students. Students may receive an Arcadia Co-Curricular Learning Certificate (CLC) once they submit a reflection piece on their experience.
Price: $430 and includes transportation, 2 nights hotel, breakfast, tour guides, coupons for lunches and dinners.
Accessibility: Palatine Hill presents certain accessibility challenges due its ancient and uneven paths.There are ramps to accommodate access to certain parts of the hill. However, our tour guide will focus on the parts that are accessible to all the participants, ensuring that all students get a meaningful experience without the physical strain.