Language Requirement: None
Academic Standing by Program Start: Sophomore or Above
Location: Europe, Italy
GPA: 2.5
Applications for Summer close on 03/15/2026

Program Overview

Discover Italy beyond the typical tourist destinations with the Intensive Italian Language Program in Lecce! Ideal for students seeking to improve their Italian language skills while experiencing authentic Italian culture, this program offers a unique, immersive study abroad experience in the charming city of Lecce, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy's Puglia region. Through personalized language instruction, local excursions, and engaging cultural activities, you will gain a deeper understanding of Italian traditions, history, and daily life. Perfect for beginners to advanced learners, this study abroad program provides a supportive environment to rapidly improve your Italian, all while exploring one of Italy's most stunning and historically rich regions in the "heel of the boot". 

 

Students on this program are eligible for a variety of language study scholarships. Please visit https://humanities.uoregon.edu/romance-languages/undergraduate-programs/scholarships-and-awards#Scholarship for additional information and to check eligibility and application deadlines.

Dates and Deadlines

Term Year Deadline Arrival Date Departure Date
Summer 2026 03/15/2026 07/04-05/2026 08/15-16/2026

Classes start on Monday, July 6, 2026. Students can arrive in Lecce the weekend prior and will be able to move into their housing. Classes end on Friday, August 14 and students need to leave their apartments by the Sunday, August 16.

This program is less than 90 days. Students with a US passport will be traveling to Italy under the Schengen Visa waiver program and do not require a travel visa for this program, and GEO is unable to assist U.S. citizens in obtaining a visa. If you are not a U.S. Citizen: Notify your GEO Advisor. Students who are not U.S. citizens should contact the Italian consulate in their country of residence about visa requirements, no matter the duration of the program of study.

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Hear from Our Students

Learning Italian in Lecce

group of friends eating lunch
Image Studying abroad in Lecce was a fantastic experience.From going to Italian classes in the morning, to the fun evenings, dinners, and weekend… read more

An Unforgettable Summer in Lecce

Person overlooking the ocean, standing behind a stone railing.
Image Studying abroad gave me the incredible opportunity to travel to Europe for the first time, and it was truly one of the best decisions I’ve… read more

My Amazing Summer in Lecce

Two people attending a Pride parade in Lecce, Italy. One is holding a small Pride flag.
This summer, I studied abroad in Lecce, Italy in the Intensive Language Program. I had an amazing time, and I made so many new friends! I shared an apartment with seven other people, and I was… read more

Discount for Pell Recipients

To expand access to study abroad, GEO is offering a $500 discount for this program to UO students who currently have the Pell Grant as part of their federal financial aid (FAFSA).

Academic Details

The academic program in Lecce offers a full sequence of courses in Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Italian language. You can earn the equivalent of a full year of Italian language in just two months. You will be registered for 3 courses for a total of 12 credits. For UO Italian majors/minors, all courses at the 200 level and above will count as major/minor credits:

  • ITAL 101, 102, and 103 - Beginner-level Italian language
  • ITAL 201, 202, and 203 - Intermediate- level Italian language
  • ITAL 388 (x3) - Advanced-level Italian language

All courses are taught in Italian by local faculty who are experts in teaching Italian to non-native speakers. Classes are held at the Scuola d’Italiano per Stranieri (School of Italian for Foreigners – SIS) in the Università Lum Jean Monnet School of Management. The class building is conveniently located in the city center, within walking distance of cafes, restaurants, historic buildings and monuments. 

You will also choose from a variety of supplementary cultural activities in such areas as cooking, stone carving, pottery, and traditional dance (offerings may vary by term and student interest). These extracurriculars provide an opportunity to apply your language skills in a relaxed and fun environment. All associated costs are included in the program fee.

Excursions to sites of cultural interest near Lecce are an integral part of the academic program. You will experience beautiful and interesting places like the historic towns of Otranto and Gallipoli, and the sparkling Adriatic sea.

Summer 2026 draft schedule

Learn more here about Lecce and SIS

 

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Additional Requirements

For 1st-year/Beginner Italian: No language requirement.
For 2nd-year/Intermediate Italian: Prior completion of Italian 103 or equivalent.
For 3rd-year/Advanced Italian: Prior completion of Italian 203 or equivalent.
For 4th-year/Advanced Italian: Prior completion of three 3rd-year Italian courses.

 

Faculty and Staff

University of Oregon Italian faculty leaders provide pre-departure and on-site orientations, guide journal activities, and offer academic and student support. Experienced local faculty teach the language courses are taught at the Scuola d’Italiano per Stranieri (SIS) by who specialize in teaching Italian as a foreign language. Other SIS staff members assist you with housing, handle administrative details such as registration and residency permits, and organize group excursions and outings.

Housing Description

Accommodations are provided by Scuola di Italiano per Stranieri (SIS) from the arrival date through the departure date of the program. You will be housed in apartments within the city center of Lecce. Apartments are integrated as much as possible, with a mix of Italians and students from other countries, along with GEO students. Most apartments will be within easy walking distance of your classrooms, extracurriculars, and many cafes and shops. Transportation will be provided for excursions that go to nearby cities and sites. 

There are a few different housing options to choose from. You will select your preferences in a housing survey, and your housing fee will be based on your placement. Basic cost differences are described in the posted student budget. We do our best to match everyone to their preferences, however we cannot guarantee the type of housing you choose will be available. 

Housing Types:

  • Standard double room in shared apartment
  • Single room in a shared apartment
  • Double room in a shared apartment with air conditioning

All apartments are equipped with furniture, cooking facilities (including dishes, pots and pans) and a washing machine for laundry; in southern Italy, clothes are usually hung on the line to dry. Bedding and towels are available to rent from SIS for 50Euro, or you may bring/purchase your own. No matter which option you choose, a housing director will meet you when you arrive at the Lecce train/bus station and accompany you to your housing location.

Budget and Price

Intensive Italian Language in Lecce

2026 Summer

GEO Program Fees
UO Study Abroad Fee* $500
Program Tuition $5,519
Housing (double room with no AC) $792
Insurance $189
Optional Fees Paid to GEO
Housing - upgrade to single room $226
Housing - upgrade to double room with AC $452
Housing - homestay with meals provided $1,470
Estimated Additional Expenses
Estimated airfare from Eugene $1,500
Estimated additional meals $1,200
Estimated cell phone expenses $100
Estimated travel clinic & pre-departure physical $50
Estimated cost of acquiring a passport $150
Estimated additional living expenses $1,200
Total
Sub-Total GEO Program Fees (Billed to UO Student Account) $7,000
Sub-Total GEO Optional Program Fees (Billable to UO Student Account) $2,148
Sub-Total: Estimated Additional Expenses $4,200
Total Estimated Cost of Participation (does not include optional GEO fees) $11,200

Included in Program Costs: Program tuition, housing, excursions, some meals (welcome dinner, farewell dinner, cooking class), course materials, medical insurance, pre-departure orientation, and on-site support.

* Non-UO Students: study abroad fees and application fees vary by campus; check with your home campus study abroad office.

Please visit GEO Billing Information for information about how you will be billed and when payments are due.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Date Cancellation Penalty
Upon acceptance to program

Student agrees to $500 non-refundable program deposit.
8 weeks before program start date

Student is responsible for 50% of total GEO program fees.
Program start date or after program begins

Student is responsible for 100% of total GEO program fees.
Note that scholarship funds are not able to be applied to program deposit.

IMPORTANT: The GEO Cancellation Policy is effective from the time a student agrees to pay their non-refundable program deposit or electronically signs the program commitment form, regardless of application or acceptance status. It is essential to read this policy before a potential cancellation takes place, to fully understand the withdrawal and cancellation penalties, and to understand what it means financially to commit to a study abroad program.

Students who cancel their participation must notify GEO in writing. Email is acceptable (geoinfo@uoregon.edu). Verbal notification to GEO or notification given to a non-UO campus study abroad office is not sufficient.

For full details, see the complete GEO Cancellation Policy.

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