Language Requirement: None
Academic Standing by Program Start: Second-Term Freshman
Location: Europe, Italy, Spain
GPA: 2.5

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Dates & Deadlines

Program Overview

TWO UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE CITIES - ONE UNFORGETTABLE TERM.

Embark on an unforgettable program in two historically and culturally rich cities and take courses that blend culture, sustainability, journalism and business. Spend the first five weeks in Siena, Italy, a city steeped in medieval charm and world renowned for its culinary traditions. You will dive into a food and sustainability course where you will learn how Italian culture champions sustainability in agriculture and gastronomy. You will learn firsthand from everyday people about the complex food-related issues and develop new insights into the ways in which food mediates social, political, cultural, environmental, and economic processes.   You will also take a media course and learn about local media efforts as it pertains to agriculture, gastronomy, and beyond.  

Next, travel to Segovia, Spain for the final five weeks of your program. Famous for its stunning aqueduct, various architectural styles, and vibrant food scene, Segovia offers the perfect backdrop for your Spanish Food and Culture course. In this course, you will learn about local festivals, traditions, holidays, and cultural practices all while learning about history, geography and gastronomy.  The Tourism Business in Spain course will introduce you to the different types of tourism in Segovia and Spain and develop your understanding of how tourism functions as a business within a specific national context all while developing a tourism venture idea. 

Dates and Deadlines

Term Year Deadline Arrival Date Departure Date
Fall Quarter 2026 05/15/2026 09/24/2026 12/12/2026

This program is less than 90 days. Students with a US passport will be traveling to Italy and Spain 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. This program has a rolling admission application process: GEO staff (and the program faculty leader, if applicable) will complete a review of the application materials of complete applications in the order that they are submitted (“first come, first serve”). Decisions about acceptance will be made shortly after you submit a complete application. There are some programs that fill fast, some even before the deadline. Students are encouraged to complete applications and commit to programs early. Acceptance is based on a holistic review of your application.  This includes a review of your GPA, transcripts (including courses taken and in-progress), any additional requirements or prerequisites (see section "Additional Requirements"), and the short statement.

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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

All student will enroll in four courses for the term, at 4 credits each. Two courses will take place in Siena over a 5-week period, two courses will take place in Segovia over a 5-week period. There will be a one-week break for students to travel independently from Siena to Segovia. 

All courses will be taught in English.

Siena Courses:

Food and Sustainability course title: TBA (4 credits) 

Global journalism/media course title: TBA (4 credits) 

Segovia Courses:

Tourism Business in Spain: Upper division MGMT elective (4 credits)

Spanish Food and Culture: (equivalency TBA) (4 credits)
 

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

All courses will be taught by local European faculty who are experts in their respective fields at the GEO Siena and GEO Segovia Centers.

Housing Description

In Siena, you will likely be housed in apartments or student residences, with shared bedrooms (1-3 students) and common spaces (bathroom, kitchen, washing machine, etc). Depending on housing constraints, there is a possibility students will be housed in hotels for some or all of the Siena portion of the program. In Siena, you will live in the medieval city center, within walking distance of your classrooms, as well as restaurants, cafés, and grocery stores.  

You will live with a host family in Segovia.  Homestays in Segovia are carefully selected to fit your needs and requests. Homestays are located within walking distance of the GEO center and classrooms or near local bus lines. If you are placed with another student, you both will always have your own private room with a shared bathroom. Immerse yourself into the daily life and routine of the household and experience Spanish cuisine and food culture as host families prepare all of your meals. Culturally, mealtimes in Spain are a very important time for family and are very pleasant occasions. Most host families do not know English so GEO recommends you learn a bit of Spanish before the program to better connect with your host family and others in the community. 

Your program application will have a housing questionnaire to gather information and assist with roommate and housing assignments. All housing will be fully furnished and include towels and linens. 

 You are responsible for arranging your own housing for the week in between program locations: October 31-November 7.