Language Requirement: None
Academic Standing by Program Start: Third-Term Freshman or Above
Location: Europe, Italy
GPA: 2.5

Politics in Italy

Program Overview

Immerse yourself in the political landscape of Italy, with exposure to contemporary Italian politics and the relationship between Italy and the European Union. The beautiful Tuscan city of Siena will provide a backdrop for your coursework, which will be supplemented with a visit to Florence. Several excursions to other cities and towns in Tuscany, and elsewhere, are an integral part of this program.

The Italian Language and Culture in Siena program runs alongside the Food, Culture, and Sustainability in Siena and the Italian Language and Culture in Siena programs. Along with the required courses, you will be able to choose an elective from the courses offered in the other programs. All courses are taught in English, and there is no language requirement. All majors are welcome to participate.

Past Siena program excursions have included visits to Pienza, Montalcino, Spannocchia, Pisa, Venice, Bologna, Brolio Castle, Volterra, San Gimignano, and Tuscan wineries. The specific combination of day and overnight trips varies by program and term, ensuring each excursion complements your academic focus while broadening your Italian experience beyond Siena.

Dates and Deadlines

Term Year Deadline Arrival Date Departure Date
Spring Quarter 2026 01/15/2026 03/26/2026 06/06/2026
Spring Quarter 2027 12/15/2026 03/25/2027 05/05/2027

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.

Back to Top

Hear from Our Students

My Return From Italy

Sarah on a balcony with a landscape in the background
Image Grateful is an understatement. I've been back in the U.S. for three days and as I reflect on my study abroad experience, that is the word… read more

Reflections on Faith, Community, and Culture in Italy

Image of Sarah with Saint Peter's Basilica in the background
Image My time abroad has been so wonderful and exciting. Every weekend, I've travelled to a new city and get to see places I never thought I'd… read more

Confronting fear of returning abroad

Sarah standing in front of a body of water in Italy
Ciao, my name is Sarah Shewaye! I’m a third-year Honors College student from Salem, Oregon, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Global Studies. I am a first-generation American and college… 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

This program will explore the historical and modern landscape of Italian politics. All students will enroll in 4 - 5 courses for a total of 16 - 22 quarter credits. The political science courses count toward the major or minor in Political Science at the University of Oregon. For other majors or universities, please check with your departmental advisor for more information.

Spring 2027 Required Courses:

Optional Service Learning Placement:

The service learning experiences are not offered for credit, but are an optional extracurricular activity of the Cross-Cultural Communications/Cross-Cultural Perspectives course.An optional service learning placement is an exciting opportunity for students studying in Siena to become more immersed into Italian culture and give back to the local community. As part of the Cross-Cultural Perspectives course, you will design a project in partnership with your organization host, conducting a needs and skills assessment. Over the course of the term, you will continue to develop your project while reflecting on your involvement and the cross-cultural context in which you are participating. At the conclusion of the program, you will present a portfolio of reflection papers, resumé, and project analysis. If you opt for the service learning placement, you will be making both a personal and a professional commitment. A service learning placement requires flexibility and commitment to the schedule and entailed responsibilities. Because of the time commitment required, you may sometimes have to forgo a program activity or excursion in order to fulfill your responsibilities to the organization. Placements vary by term. In the past students have volunteered at local pre-school and elementary schools, retirement homes, ceramic arts programs for community members with disabilities, and rescue and social services.

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.

Faculty and Staff

Courses are taught by Italian faculty who have experience teaching US students, including supplementary language tutoring offered by the site director. In addition, visiting US faculty may teach up to two courses.

Housing Description

Experience life as part of an authentic Italian neighborhood, living within the medieval city walls of Siena. Residences are spread out within the city center. All are within easy walking distance (~15 min) of the GEO Center, and you will have small local grocers, restaurants, and cafés nearby.

You have two housing options, each with its own perks. You will be able to provide your preference, though we cannot guarantee that we can accommodate everyone in their first choice.

Apartments: Apartments are fully furnished with beds, desks and a kitchen table and chairs. No two apartments are the same. Generally, there are 2-3 rooms per apartment, and you can expect to share a bedroom with one or two other GEO students. The kitchens are equipped with utensils, plates, glasses, cookware, an electronic oven and a gas stove. You will also receive two sets of linens and each apartment has access to a washing machine and drying rack (dryers are very uncommon in Italy).

Student Residence: You can live in a residence with other international and Italian students, fully immersing yourself into the community. The student residence has single and double rooms, some with ensuite bathrooms and some with shared bathrooms (no more than 3 people/bathroom). Each room has a TV, fridge/freezer, safe, desks, nightstand, and sink. Kitchen and living areas are shared with your floor (~8 people/kitchen, students often enjoy cooking together or share meals with each other). Linens and towels are provided, and your rooms are cleaned weekly.

Budget and Price

Global Education Oregon Logo

Politics in Italy

2026 Spring Quarter

GEO Program Fees
Description Amount
UO Study Abroad Fee* $500
Program Tuition $10,915
Housing $2,331
Local Transportation $39
Insurance $215
Estimated Additional Expenses
Description Amount
Estimated airfare from Eugene $1,200
Estimated additional meals $1,700
Estimated cellphone expenses $100
Estimated travel clinic & pre-departure physical $50
Estimated cost of acquiring a passport $150
Estimated additional living expenses $1,750
Total
Description Amount
Total estimated cost of attendance $18,950
Sub-Total: GEO Program Fees (Billed to UO Student Account) $14,000
Sub-Total: Estimated Additional Expenses $4,950

Included in Program Costs: Program Tuition; Excursions; Housing; Local Transportation; Some meals (welcome and farewell dinners, a few lunches on excursions); Course materials; Medical insurance; On-site orientation; Pre-departure 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 the program

Student agrees to $500 non-refundable program deposit 
Cancelling 8 weeks - 1 day before program start date

Student is responsible for 50% of total GEO program fees
Cancelling on or after program start date

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.

To view the program specific cancellation policy dates and penalties, click the term budget dropdown menu.

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.

View as PDF
Back to Top