The Centro Linguistico Universita Stranieri Siena – CLUSS – enables TCNJ students to spend a semester, a half year, or a year in Italy, focusing upon the improvement of their Italian language skills. For those students who seek fluency in Italian, an Italian minor, or a self-designed major in Italian, a study abroad experience at CLUSS in Siena would be an important and memorable study abroad experience.

For 2012, students may study in the following terms:

January 9 to March 30                             July 4 to September 28

April 2 to June 29                                       October 1 to December 21

Each term has three month-long sessions. Students may choose to study for one, two, or three month-long sessions in a given term, and students may spread their studies out over two consecutive terms. (For example, students may study in January, February, April and May, skipping the March session in order to travel in Italy and other parts of Europe.)  A student may also choose just to study for one month – there is a lot of flexibility.

The price for each month’s instruction in 2012 is € 475 (in Euros). The total cost of instruction for a three-month term is € 1425.

 

Here is a step-by-step guide to completing the application process:

1. Students planning to take advantage of this study abroad option should express their interest to Prof.  Simona Wright, TCNJ’s Italian program coordinator, as early in the process as possible. She will be able to assess your level of Italian and determine whether CLUSS is the right program for you.

2. The TCNJ Study Abroad Application Process is next, and students will fill out the TCNJ study abroad application as well as the CLUSS application. (Click on “Regular Courses in Italian Language and Culture” on the CLUSS site.) To satisfy CLUSS requirements, students will need to submit one passport-sized photo and a copy of your passport’s photo page. All application materials should be submitted to the TCNJ Center for Global Engagement.

3.  Upon approval of the TCNJ Center for Global Engagement, students will be called into the Center to learn how to make the first month’s payment to the program, which is necessary to reserve a place in the program. (Students will need to wire money to the Universita’s bank account in Italy. The Center will help students understand this process, and the bank information for the Universita is located on CLUSS’ FAQ page.)

4. Students will need to apply for housing in Siena by consulting the information on CLUSS’ Student Services page under “5. Lodging in Siena.”

5. Once CLUSS receives the first payment, they will confirm your acceptance in writing. You will need this confirmation as well as letters from Prof. Wright and the Center for Global Engagement to begin the process of applying for a visa. The Center will also provide students with an enrollment verification letter from the Records and Registration Office to confirm student status.

6. The Consulate General of Italy in New York is the next step – the Consulate’s website provides visa information. (Scroll to the bottom of the page for the links for applications and supporting documentation. Questions 21 and 22 in the “FAQ” section pertain to students. At the present time, the student visa in Italy is free, but application procedures and fees change from time to time. Students studying for more than ninety days are “long-term” applicants, and those studying for a shorter period of time are “short-term” applicants.

7. The TCNJ Center for Global Engagement will enroll students in the appropriate section of INTL350 for full-time study abroad.

8. Students should consult the Center’s financial aid presentation and discuss the disbursement of financial aid and scholarships with Mr. Alston (for financial aid) and Ms. Pageau (for scholarships) in TCNJ’s Student Financial Services office in Green Hall 101.

For more information about Italian study abroad opportunities, please contact Dr. Simona Wright, Professor of Italian, Bliss Hall 310, simona@tcnj.edu, or the TCNJ Center for Global Engagement, Green Hall 111, goglobal@tcnj.edu.