International Study Experience in Rondine, Tuscany (Italy) | Study Abroad
University of Western Ontario (UWO) have offered to accept up to 15 University of Guelph students for their program International Study Experience in Rondine, Tuscany. U of Guelph students who want to participate in this program will need to be registered at UWO for the Summer 2026 semester, through the Letter of Permission (LOP) process, and will pay tuition to UWO for the program courses. Credits for the UWO course(s) can be transferred toward the U of Guelph students' degree programs through LOP if approved by their U of G Academic Advisor.
Study abroad this summer in Arezzo, Italy at the nearby elegantly restored medieval village of Rondine Citadel of Peace. The program is aimed at any students who are interested pursuing the study of Italian language and culture at the beginning and intermediate level, along with learning about international relations, peace building, conflict resolution and intercultural competence. The association "Rondine Cittadella della pace" is an international organization established in 1997 in order to promote dialogue and conflict resolution through education, fostering social change. It is an Italian NGO nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2015 for its outstanding international commitment. The core project of Rondine Cittadella della pace is the cohabitation of young women and men who come from countries in conflict and from different cultures. Rondine helps them to become global citizens, and young leaders able to develop concrete social, political and economic projects leading to social change.
Participants will have the opportunity to study and live alongside a group of international graduate students in a Medieval Italian town where they will experience global academic engagement in a truly novel and stimulating environment. On top of the UWO courses offered, students may attend local conferences and events focusing on subjects such as human rights, international law, forced migration, war crimes, and conflict resolution. The quality of the instruction, combined with the variety of study options available and the global setting constituted by international students who are permanently on location, make Rondine an incomparable institution for this International Study Experience.
Students will also acquire language skills as they learn Italian in its original setting, and gain intercultural communication abilities that will resonate with them both in their personal lives and future professional careers, making friends throughout the process. They will be immersed in Italian culture in the heart of Tuscany through daily interactions with native speakers, and through the screening of films, the study of pop songs, and the reading of some examples of non-fictional texts in the classroom. Throughout the week, morning courses will be followed by a lunch break with further cultural activities or time to study during the afternoon. Students will share common meals, housing in Arezzo, and be involved in sightseeing and other practical activities during the weekends.
Overview
Location: Rondine, Tuscany
Term: Summer 2026
Dates: May 1 - 30, 2026
- Italian classes: Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM–12:30 PM
- Seminars: Mon–Thurs, 2:30–4:00 PM
Credits: Depends on chosen courses
Instructor: Professor Pietro Pirani, UWO professor and program coordinator
Application deadline: December 15, 2025
Group size: Maximum 15 students accepted on a first-come-first-served basis. Apply as soon as possible.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the program, please contact Professor Pietro Pirani (ppirani2@uwo.ca), UWO professor and program coordinator, and Sandra Parmegiani (sparmegi@uoguelph.ca), Associate Professor, European Studies & Italian, University of Guelph
Eligibility
Students from any year may apply for the program, and must have a 68% cumulative average. For first-year students, the cumulative average will be based on first-semester grades.
The program is open to students from all disciplines at the University of Guelph, with a maximum of 15 students being accepted to the program.
Courses
The program open to students from all disciplines at the University of Guelph.
Costs
Students should budget for the following:
- Round-trip airfare to Italy (estimated $1200)
- Tuition for 0.5 to 1.5 credits at University of Western Ontario - approximately $650 per 0.5 credit course
- The International Study Experience in Rondine program fee: €3100 (includes centrally located housing with weekly cleaning, weekday lunches, excursions, bus pass)
- Meals estimated at $600
- Travel health insurance (estimated at $200)
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, additional personal excursions, etc)
