Italian is the fourth most studied language in the world, and if you want to master your language skills quickly, look for Italian programs abroad. Italian is an official language in Italy, Switzerland, Vatican and San Marino.

It is also recognized as a minor language in Croatia, Slovenia and Brasil, and commonly used all over the world. We recommend checking out the Italian courses in Italy. They will let you immerse yourself into the language environment. You will not only practice your Italian with native speakers but also explore local culture and lifestyle.

• Which courses can I take in Italian schools abroad?

  There are numerous language schools in Italy so you can combine your studies with touristic activities. Choose Rome or Florence to visit the most famous museums and historical sites. Head to Tuscany for romantic walks in the vineyards and wine tasting tours. Explore the breathtaking landscapes at Lake Como, shop the latest fashions in Milan, or join the famous carnival in Venice.

  When choosing an Italian school abroad, look not only for a great location but also for the types of courses they have on offer. Usually, they offer a variety of Italian abroad programs for teenagers and adults with different levels.

  Choose general Italian courses if your study goal is to boost your language skills while exploring the local touristic sites. General courses are delivered on a part-time basis and leave you plenty of time for visiting museums, theatres, and other places of interest. Groups are formed by Italian level. The focus is on equally developing all your language skills, from grammar and listening to writing and speaking. Check Europass Italian Language School in Florence to find out more about general Italian programs.

  If you are ready to work hard and want to progress faster in your language studies, look for intensive Italian courses. Usually, in an intensive course, you will get more lessons every day. Additionally, you can attend speaking sessions or take individual lessons to focus on the topics you find the most challenging. At the Intensive Course in Accademia Studio Italia in Rome, you enjoy group classes in the morning and additional two hours of language practice in the afternoon.

  Explore local cuisine and culture with thematic Italian courses. For instance, in Tuscany, you can join Siena Magnifica course at Dante Alighieri school in Siena. This course includes not only group lessons, but also cultural on-site lectures, cooking sessions and wine tasting. Or check Language, Cuisine and the Wine Trail course at Terramare Orbetello school in Tuscany. It includes standard language classes in the morning and immersive tours, cooking workshops, and farm visits in the afternoons and during the weekends.

  Look for professional language courses if you are learning Italian for work. During these courses, you will focus on professional vocabulary and effective communication on work-related topics in a business environment. Business Italian, Italian for Law, Italian for Banking and Finance, language courses for the Tourism and Hospitality industry and many other professional courses are on offer at Scuola Leonardo da Vinci in Rome.

  All these courses are suitable for students with different Italian levels and can last from one week to a month. Choose the Italian course best suited to your personal study goals and head to explore this magnificent country.

• Accommodation

  The majority of language schools abroad offer you accommodation at a student residence or with a host family.

  In a comfortable student residence, you will stay in a single or double room with an en suite bathroom, shared kitchen, and common areas. Here, you can meet other international students and attend special student events.

  Staying with a host family is the opportunity to immerse yourself deeper into local culture and explore the local lifestyle. Usually, you have breakfast and dinner included, but you will need to follow the house rules, e.g. eating and showering at a particular time, no late-night visits, etc.

  If none of these options appeal to you, you can always find your own accommodation in any part of the city. Hotel, a hostel, or an Airbnb flat, — only you decide.

• Learning materials

  All Italian schools abroad will provide you with textbooks, printouts for tests and exercises during your classes. However, you may want to bring a notepad, a few pens and a little dictionary to use during classes.

  However, you may want to purchase some magazines, newspapers or books in Italian during your visit. With them, you will be able to practice reading with authentic Italian texts when you are back home.

• Budget

  МWhen travelling abroad, you will visit some tourist attractions, such as museums, galleries, theatres, and theme parks. You can check their websites for ticket info and prices in advance to plan how much money to take with you. Often, purchasing the tickets in advance online can be cheaper!

  Don’t forget to include in your budget some money for food, public transport and souvenirs. We will send you some tips and insights about staying abroad before your trip to help with planning. On average, you should take at least 50 euros per day of your stay.

• Internet and Mobile Service

  All the schools will provide you with a high-speed Internet connection. The same is true for accommodation in student residences and with the majority of host families. If you want to have an Internet connection all the time, you may consider buying a local SIM card.

  Сalls from Italy abroad can cost from €0.18 up to €4 per minute, depending on which country you are trying to reach. However, many mobile operators offer special packages for international calls so ask for them and call your family and friends from abroad at a lower fee. The packages also include access to mobile internet. Check these three major mobile operators in Italy — TIM, Vodafone, and Wind — for more details.

• Transport

  In large Italian cities, you will find a well-developed network of public transport. It usually includes buses and trams. In large cities, such as Rome, Milan, and Naples, you can go around by metro, and in Venice you can enjoy the most exotic public transport — ferries, going on routes along the canals.

  To travel around the country, you can use trains, buses, or local flights. The trains are the most convenient and relatively cheap (compared to other European countries). When choosing the train, be attentive: there are Regionale/interregionale services which are the cheapest and slowest as they stop in all minor stations; IC trains are faster and directly connect major cities. If you like to travel at high speed, look for AV trains with speeds of up to 300 km/h and connections to major cities. You can travel for 1–2 hours for as little as €15! The tickets are sold in the stations, in terminals, and online. However, if you travel to some small station or village, it’s better purchase a return ticket straight away as the local sellers may have additional charges.

• Climate

  As Italy stretches deep into the sea, there is a Mediterranean climate across the whole country. It means that summers in Italy are hot and dry with average temperatures of 28–33°C and rains are rare. Winters in Italy are cool and humid, in the mountains and northern parts of Italy you can even see snow and temperatures drop to 0°C. However, the Italian south always stays warm and green. When packing your clothes for a trip, do not forget to check the weather forecast but be relieved knowing that fur coats and very warm jackets won’t be needed there. Unless you plan to go skiing!

• Food

  There is no need to explain Italian cuisine to you. However, we can give you some insights into food pricing. Generally, food in restaurants and cafes will be more expensive in big cities than in small Italian towns. Breakfast in a cafe or bar will be around €6, simple coffee and croissant — €2.50–4.50, lunch with a soft drink in a restaurant — about €12, dinner with a glass of wine or cocktail — about €20. Remember, coffee and ice cream in the most touristic places — e.g. near the Trevi Fountain in Rome or near the Duomo in Milan — will be twice or even three times more expensive than in any cafe within 10 minutes’ walk.

  If you stay in a student residence or rent a flat, you can cook meals instead. In a supermarket, half a kilo of chicken meat will cost about €4.50, a litre of milk — €1.25, 12 eggs — €3.30, half a kilo of local cheese — €7, a loaf of bread — €0.50, a bottle of good local wine — from €7. You can find the freshest pastry, local fruits, vegetables, and seafood at the local market.