Marist Italy: Tuscania – Lorenzo de Medici (LdM) Institute

Experience an immersion program through Marist College’s partnership with Lorenzo de Medici (LdM) in the historical city of Tuscania. 

Program Location

As a place that has inspired famous artists for centuries, Tuscania has developed a reputation as a center for new artistic forms of expression; filmmakers such as Pier Paolo Pasolini, Orson Welles and Franco Zeffirelli have all chosen it for their films. This hilltop town is located on the border of the Tuscany and Lazio regions of central Italy, south of Florence and not far from Rome, in southern Maremma. The surrounding countryside forms part of a nationally protected nature reserve and has one of the richest collections of archaeological remains in Italy. The location of LdM Tuscania is convenient for day trips to the beach, volcanic lakes and hot springs, as well as for visits to the nearby towns of Viterbo and Tarquinia, Rome, Florence, Siena, Pisa and Assisi.

Institution

The Program is organized in through Marist’s partnership with Lorenzo de' Medici (LdM), a well-known institution founded in 1972 as one of the first schools in Florence to teach Italian as a second language. Students come from all over the world to study Italian or follow other courses of study at the Institute, creating an international environment that stimulates cultural exchange. The faculty and administration of the Institute are outstanding educators and academics, with a wealth of experience teaching American students.  LdM campuses in Rome, Florence and Tuscania offer over 500 courses for students to choose from in 38 subject areas.  

Academics

• At LdM Tuscania the curriculum is designed to engage the historical, artistic and cultural qualities that make this part of Italy unique. As an example, courses in history and archaeology focus on the Etruscan, Roman and medieval civilizations that are at the core of Tuscania’s history and development
• LdM Tuscania is also recognized for its courses in the Culinary Arts, which reflect Tuscania’s connection to the agricultural cycles and traditions of the area.
• Italian Language learning is another important offering at LdM Tuscania, where students carry out their coursework through Service Learning experiences that facilitate immersion into the community.
• Students directly enroll in courses at LdM Tuscania that offer students options in the Liberal Arts, Social Sciences, Agriculture, Creative Arts, and Italian Language and Culture.

Student Life & Co-curricular Content

The LdM program in Tuscania is based on a full immersion concept that differs in emphasis from the Florence and Rome campuses. Because of the size of the town, its geographic location, and its pace, Tuscania is an ideal setting for friendly and frequent interaction with community members. Integration into the community is fundamental to the program and, in particular, to the Italian language courses, encouraging students to create relationships in a cultural context and language that is different from their own.

Academic and intercultural support for students is provided through the Student Advisor Office.  LdM Tuscania’s facilities were recently remodeled to deliver student facilities such as studio and classroom spaces, reading rooms, exhibition space, a library, and a computer room.

Outside of class are a wide range of activity options such as horseback riding, yoga, swimming, hiking and jogging paths, and weekly scheduled cultural tours (day trips) to locations in the region.   

Housing

Throughout the program students are typically housed in shared apartments with double occupancy.    Daily meal vouchers for lunch of dinner at local eateries and internet facilities are also included in the housing cost.  Homestay options are available to students which also includes full board from Monday to Friday each week.

Program Cost

The program fee includes tuition (12-16 credits), accommodation, program orientation, scheduled academic excursions, and international health insurance. The program cost is based on full-time semester tuition and on-campus Marist housing. Students receive a detailed cost sheet once they have been admitted to the Marist Abroad Program.

Admission criteria

• Minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA at the time of application
• Sophomore standing or higher at the time of study abroad
• Academic Advisor approval of program and coursework