MADE School of Arts & Sciences

Spring Semester Elective 2028

12 – 16 credits

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Spring Semester 2028

Sicily, Italy

Program Overview

Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of Syracuse, Sicily! Students in the 15 week semester enroll in four to five courses for a total of 12 – 16 U.S. semester credits. In addition to the required Italian Language & Culture and Directed Undergraduate Research courses, students choose one academic track—Art & Design, Interdisciplinary Mediterranean Studies, or Italian Studies—allowing them to tailor their program to their personal and academic interests. Courses supplement classroom learning with experiential projects and guided field trips to iconic sites such as Greek temples, local markets, and world-class museums, offering hands-on opportunities to explore Sicily’s diverse heritage while connecting with the local community.

Highlights

Learn Italian while engaging with the local community
Explore Sicily through immersive cultural excursions
Complete hands-on research and experiential learning projects
Spend your semester on the Italian island of Sicily, living like a local in a student apartment

Key Details

Application Deadline

October 1 2027

Program Fee

Coming soon

Program Dates

Late January 2028 – Mid May 2028

Enrollment Deadline

October 15 2027

Requirements

Age

18+

Academic Year

High school graduate or above

Cumulative GPA

2.5 (on a 4.0 scale)

Application Materials

SAI application
Personal statement
Transcript
Passport copy

Visa Required?

Yes

Academics

MADE courses empower students to explore Sicily’s unique culture and history through hands-on, interdisciplinary learning. Taught by an international faculty of professors, artists, and designers, courses combine creativity, experiential learning, and field-based projects that connect students directly with the region’s traditions, communities, and global perspectives. Through small classes, instructional site visits, and collaborative research opportunities, students develop career-ready skills while engaging deeply with the rich cultural landscape of Sicily.

Courses & Schedule
Students enroll in four (4) to five (5) courses in one academic track over the 15-week semester and earn a total of 12 – 16 U.S. semester credits. The curriculum includes two required courses designed to support students’ academic success and cultural integration from the very start of the program

Explore Courses More Academics

What’s Included

This is a SAI 360° Services Program; it includes our full services!

Program tuition and U.S. academic credit
Comfortable and safe student housing
Airport pickup on arrival day
Orientation and welcome reception
Welcoming on-site staff
Student health insurance
SAI Viva Experience: cultural engagement, excursions & wellness activities
24-hour on-site emergency support
Farewell event

Pre-departure and Re-entry services

Knowledgeable Admissions Counselors
Helpful pre-departure resources & groups
Student visa advising
Assistance with financial aid processing
Need-based SAI scholarships
Alumni Network & Ambassador Program

Financial Details

Program Fees


Application Fee	$120
Security Deposit Refundable at the end of the term.	$300
Program Fee Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included).	coming soon
Optional / Additional Fees:
Optional Private Room Housing Supplement Private room in a shared apartment, with a shared bathroom.	coming soon

*prices are subject to change

Please see SAI Policies for SAI cancellation & withdrawal deadlines.

Note: Some US universities have a special payment arrangement with SAI, where your university covers part of your fees on your behalf, and you pay the remaining fees directly to SAI. Not sure if this applies to you? Check with your study abroad office or your SAI Admissions Counselor.

Financial Deadlines


Within 1 week of acceptance	SAI Deposits Due $500 Enrollment Deposit (applied toward program fee) $300 Security Deposit (refundable)
October 1 2027	50% of Total Program Fee Due (Students whose deposit payment date is on or after this date will have a deadline of 5 business days after submitting the deposit.)
October 15 2027	Financial Aid Agreement & Financial Aid Program Deposit Deadline Applicable to students wishing to utilize SAI financial aid payment deferment process. (Students whose deposit payment date is on or after this date will have a deadline of 5 business days after the deposit.)
October 15 2027	SAI Scholarship Application Deadline Complete application due by 11:59pm Pacific Time.
November 15 2027	SAI Financial Aid Verification Deadline Applicable to students wishing to utilize SAI financial aid payment deferment process.
December 1 2027	Balance of Total Program Fee Due

Budgeting


Airfare to/from Sicily	$900 – $1,800
Student Visa Visa and Permit to Stay fees (incl. possible travel fees–varying based on consulate location and student’s residence).	$300 – $1,500
Books, Supplies & Course Fees	$25 – $50 / course
Meals Includes groceries and eating out.	$600 – $800 / month
Personal Expenses	$250 – $350 / month
Transportation within Syracuse area Public transportation with some taxi rides.	$50 – $100 / month
Weekend Travel Cost varies greatly by student.	$300 – $1,000 / month

Standard Housing:
Student Apartment | shared bedroom

(included in program fee)

SAI student apartments offer a comfortable, community-focused living experience in fully equipped spaces. Apartments typically house 2 – 8 students and feature a mix of shared-occupancy and private bedrooms, along with kitchen, bathroom, and a common area. Each unit is move-in ready with essential furnishings, a washing machine, basic kitchen supplies, bed linens, towels, and wireless internet. Housing is arranged as female, male, and, in select locations, gender-inclusive.

Optional Housing:
Student Apartment | private bedroom

*additional fee applies

Private bedrooms in student apartments offer a private bedroom with a shared bathroom. SAI student apartments offer a comfortable, community-focused living experience in fully equipped spaces. Apartments typically house 2 – 8 students and feature a mix of shared-occupancy and private bedrooms, along with kitchen, bathroom, and a common area. Each unit is move-in ready with essential furnishings, a washing machine, basic kitchen supplies, bed linens, towels, and wireless internet. Housing is arranged as female, male, and, in select locations, gender-inclusive.

Academics

Course Registration

Students select courses as part of the enrollment process by completing a course selection form.

Course schedules are confirmed 4 weeks prior to the program start, and finalized schedules with class days and times are provided at orientation.

Academic Tracks & Required Courses

Required Courses

Italian Language & Culture (first 4 weeks / 3 credits): Offered at all proficiency levels, this intensive course begins immediately upon arrival. Students complete a four-week Italian Language & Culture course to build foundational language skills and cultural awareness, preparing them to engage confidently with the local community throughout their time abroad.

Directed Undergraduate Research (full semester / 3 credits): This semester-long course strengthens students’ understanding of research methodologies while supporting the development of individual research projects aligned with their academic and professional interests. Students gain hands-on experience and build essential research and analytical skills applicable across disciplines.

Academic Tracks & Areas of Study
Students will choose one of three tracks, detailed below, in addition to the two required courses listed above. Each track has two (2) or three (3) courses and allows students to hone their academic focus while in Sicily.

Art & Design Track: Designed for both fine arts and design majors as well as non-majors, this track offers a multifaceted academic experience through a wide range of accredited courses. Areas of study include Design such as Graphic, Fashion, Sound, Product, Interior, Set Design, and Urban Planning, as well as Fine Arts, including Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Videomaking, and Photography.
Interdisciplinary Mediterranean Studies Track: Offers a multidisciplinary exploration of the Mediterranean world through both ancient and contemporary perspectives. Coursework includes fields such as Anthropology, Classics, History, Gender Studies, Philosophy, Sociology, Environmental Studies, Economics, Geography, Political Science and International Relations, and Urban Studies and Planning. This track provides students with a broad understanding of Italy and Sicily’s historical development and modern identity.
Italian Studies Track: Sicily has played a central role in the development of Italian culture, making Syracuse an ideal setting for Italian Studies. This track explores Italy’s history, literature, cinema, and cultural traditions within a city where students actively engage with the local community in Italian. Students with sufficient language proficiency may choose to enroll in Italian Studies courses taught in Italian. As they deepen their understanding of Italian culture, students also strengthen their language skills through Italian language courses offered at all levels.

SAI Viva Experience

SAI offers all students the Viva Experience: frequent cultural activities, at no extra cost, for participants to get to know their community, city and country. Following is a sample of the activities included in this program. Please note that actual activities may differ.

Walking Tours & City Exploration

Walking Tours & City Exploration

Students stand near a large marble building.

Arts & Culture

A group sits in the Ancient Greek Theatre

Orientation & Cultural Integration

People around a table with papers for practicing Italian language.

Passport & Visa

Passports
Passports should be valid for at least 3 months after planned departure from Europe.

Student Visas
U.S. students studying in Italy for 91 days or more are required to obtain a student visa. Therefore U.S. students are required to obtain one for this program. Students with Italian/EU citizenship are exempt, and non-U.S. nationals should consult their local consulate for requirements.

SAI’s Student Visa Office supports students throughout the visa application process through the included SAI 360° Services. The following optional services are also available:

Student Visa Application Review (additional fee): SAI’s visa team provides a full review of your application to position yourself for a simple and streamlined application process.
Student Visa Processing (additional fee; available for some Consulates): SAI’s visa team submits your application on your behalf, eliminating the need to travel to a Consulate for an appointment.

Academic Courses

Browse course offerings

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What’s Included

Explore what’s included in this program

SAI 360° Services

Financials

Details on program fees and budget estimates

Program Fees