The Honors Program at Umbra
The Honors Program at the Umbra Institute welcomes students with a desire to combine academic inquiry with cultural engagement. The Honors Program requires that students work beyond the standard academic levels, while also thinking critically and introspectively about the immersion experience. In addition, honors students are expected to live with international and/or Italian students.
The Honors Program offers students the opportunity to conduct original research in an area of their choice, working one-on-one with a faculty mentor, and to bring that research to fruition in the form of either a traditional research paper or, with the approval of the faculty advisor, a creative project. The typical project requires a level of community engagement that normally is absent from a traditional undergraduate course. As part of the program, an honors student will be assigned a research project advisor from among the Umbra faculty. Students may also select a faculty member from their home institution, gaining approval from that advisor for the particular research topic and arranging correspondence with the advisor prior to participation in the program.
“The Independent Project I conducted through the Honors Program provided me with a unique opportunity as an undergraduate student. Not only was I able to engage in direct ethnographic research—it was in a global setting. Working directly with a faculty member mentor exponentially improved my academic writing skills, while interviewing locals helped me pick up Italian quickly.”
Gabriella Paiella, Northeastern University
Honors Program, Fall 2010
The Program consists of the following fixed curriculum:
ISRM 400 Research Writing & Methodology Seminar (2 credits)
ISIR 499 Research Project (4 credits) for a total of 6 credits for the Research project;
ITXXX Italian language or an advanced course taught in Italian (3 -6 credits)
Elective Courses: Academic Internship, Honors Course (if available), Intercultural Exploration: Learning & Living in Italy, or related approved courses
Independent Research
Many colleges and universities require undergraduates to culminate their studies in a research paper or senior thesis. Students often start thinking about their topics during their junior year, and by the beginning of their senior year they start the thesis project in earnest.
The research option may be considered as part of the student’s senior thesis or junior research project requirements at their home institution. Alternatively, students can engage in independent research at Umbra and subsequently use that experience as a foundation for their senior thesis project at their home institution.
This program is designed to provide students the opportunity to complete a significant research assignment in a topic of their choice as one component of their study abroad experience. This track is intended to be a serious exercise in the organization and presentation of written material. The project is normally a research paper; however, with the faculty advisor and/or home school approval, a creative project may be undertaken.
In this Program, Umbra students will be assigned a “Research Project Advisor” from among the Umbra faculty. Students may also choose to select an advisor from their home campus, gaining approval from that advisor and arranging correspondence prior to participation in the program. In such cases, the research project carried out at Umbra may form part, or all, of the senior thesis.
Independent Research and Community Engagement
Honors courses are distinguished by higher academic standards, extensive study in the subject area, and additional contact with instructors. Service-learning courses combines experiential learning and community service. By integrating meaningful community service with classroom instruction, this track is designed for students interested in enriching their learning experience. Service learning is a reciprocal activity: it encourages civic responsibility, allows for introspection, and expands cultural immersion, while strengthening communities.
At the end of each semester, all research students will participate in a public poster presentation to the Umbra community. Examples of past student projects include: The Importance of Minority Language in Constructing Regional Identity; Elementary Education and Construction of Gender Roles; Adult Education and Second Language Acquisition – the case study of the Università per la Terza Età; and The Study of “Otherness” – an archaeological investigation of ancient sculpture and myth. Since this program requires students to complete an ambitious research project, participants should be self-motivated and disciplined. However, students also enjoy a tremendous amount of flexibility in establishing their own work schedules in consultation with faculty advisors.
Admission Requirements
Students accepted into the Honors Program should exhibit maturity, responsibility, and an interest in work that will challenge them to move beyond the standard levels of academic inquiry in pursuit of a richer study abroad experience.
Students should have a minimum GPA of 3.4. Prospective Honors students should also indicate their interest on all application forms.
Learn more and Apply
More information about the Honors Program, service learning opportunities, please call the Institute or contact info@umbra.org with any questions or inquiries.