Service Learning + Study Abroad

 

Service learning abroad links classroom critical thinking, theory, and reflection with service in the host community. You can step out of your comfort zone and become an active participant on specific projects incorporated into several General Studies elective courses. These projects vary each semester according to community partner needs.

 

 

BSEU 390: Business in Europe: Environment & Practices & BSIM 390: International Marketing

Put theory to practice by visiting and conducting interviews with local Italian companies. You will examine their internal organization and their plans to conduct business internationally as informed by classroom theory. Your analysis is then presented to partner organizations who utilize the research to improve their business operations. The Umbra Institute has partnered with a wide range of businesses from small, family-run artisan companies to those with international profiles including Ducati, the Perugia soccer team, the Lungarotti winery, and the Perugia San Francesco d’Assisi Airport.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOIT 360: Contemporary Italy: Culture, Society, and Trends

As a student in this course, you can apply to participate in ‘La Famiglia Italiana’ Project. Selected students are assigned in pairs to a host Italian family in Perugia. Each week, you meet with the family for a culture and language exchange structured around course themes to gain a deeper understanding of Italian customs and practices. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PYHD 430: Human Development in Culture

Investigate the principles and psychological outcomes of the Italian, Montessori, and American education systems through direct experience in an Italian classroom. This course introduces you to theory related to the ecology of human development and enculturation through education. In the service learning project, students observe and interact with Italian students and teachers at a local Montessori and traditional Italian primary school. Teachers will outline how theoretical frameworks are put into practice in everyday children’s activities. Afterwards, apply theory to practice by planning and leading English language activities with the Italian students to research course themes.

 

 

BUFS 380: The Business of Food: Italy and Beyond

An integral part of this course is applying classroom knowledge about the Italian and American wine industries to a service learning project with Montevibiano Wineries. Montevibiano, a leader in zero-emissions winemaking, is interested in launching a new eco-wine in the United States. The final course project is to prepare two product proposals for Montevibiano informed by a company visit, market analysis, and assistance from the professional enologist and wine marketer Dario Parenti.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CWIT 340: Italian Tales and Stories: Creative Writing Through Literary Models

Cooperate with an Umbrian local online newspaper, La Nazione where you will meet with Italian journalists to see their newspaper operations firsthand. Afterwards, you will write and submit articles in English for their website. Finish up the semester with a Creative Writing Readings for the Umbra community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ARAA 320: Archaeological Discoveries: A Passion for Classical Antiquity

The Archaeology class works with the Museo Archeologico Nazionale dell’Umbria to improve the way the museum welcomes international, English-speaking visitors. You will develop a project of your choice that assists the museum in attracting these visitors by researching the museum’s current practices and marketing efforts. The service learning project will help visitors understand the museum within the context of historic and modern Perugia through informative print material.