Semester or Year in Syracuse, Sicily

At the Mediterranean Center for Arts and Sciences

Through a direct academic affiliation with the Mediterranean Center, Fairfield University offers a focused and integrated undergraduate program. An international faculty provides a challenging, stimulating, and enriching study opportunity in Syracuse.

Fairfield University is a fully accredited university and member of the New England Associate of Schools and Colleges, and a member of AACUPI, the American Association of Colleges and Universities in Italy. Students attending the Fairfield Program will receive a Fairfield University transcript with graded credit for courses completed. Virtually all American colleges and universities accept Fairfield university transfer credit.

Fairfield University is uniquely qualified to help you create an outstanding living and learning experience in Syracuse, Italy

Syracuse is an ancient city located on the southeast coast of Sicily. Known as the greatest classical Greek city outside of Athens, Syracuse is the ideal destination for students due to its central location and accessibility to the entire Mediterranean. It appeals on many levels and to many interests: history, politics, archaeology, geology, fine arts, theater, and the natural beauty of the water and land.

Why Choose Syracuse?

• Live and learn in the center of one of the most ancient cities of Italy - a city that retains and reflects a true fusion of cultures and traditions - from Greek to Roman, to Arabic to Norman, Spanish to French
• A focused educational experience
• An intimate cultural experience
• Sicily represents a genuine opportunity to experience all facets of Italian life and culture

Why Choose Fairfield?
The Fairfield University Syracuse Program provides exactly what you're looking for in a study-abroad experience. Here are some of the reasons our program is so widely respected.

Helpful application-to-completion assistance with all the details. We provide comprehensive services for all facets of your semester or year abroad, from application, course registration, and visa preparation to housing, insurance, and transcripts.

Special academic options including individually tailored research-based Independent Studies. In addition to the courses listed it may also be possible to pursue individualized Independent Study (IS) courses according to the research interests and availability of the faculty at MCAS. IS courses are conducted as one-to-one seminars with an assigned professor and will be designed to meet the specific needs of the applicant and as a result of student-professor dialogue.

A focused yet historically and culturally expansive series of quality academic courses in English to choose from. All courses are presented in English (except of course, Italian language) by a talented and knowledgeable international faculty and cover the following areas:

Ancient History & Archaeology / Ancient Science & Gender Anthropology & Geography /Art & Architectural History
Classical Language & Literature / Creative Writing / Drawing
Ecology & Environmental Science / Geology & Volcanology
Italian Language / Italian Literature & Music / Modern History
Philosophy & Religion / Political Science /Photography

Classes are taken at the Mediterranean Center, located in the heart of the ancient center of Syracuse in a completely restored 17th century Baroque Palazzo, or palace. This historic building, with three floors that look upon a traditional central courtyard, is newly renovated to include large classrooms, a computer lab and multimedia room with audio and video facilities, a photography lab, art studio, library, and student lounge. The Mediterranean Sea is visible from the school entrance and balconies, and swimming spots are only steps away.

Access to Fairfield University library holdings online. Fairfield University library holdings are available online to our program participants. With our special Stagweb account, you can access a wide range of resources and services.

Option to attend lectures at the University of Catania, Faculty of Arts & Letters in Syracuse. Qualified students with a high degree of proficiency in Italian may participate in classes in philosophy, archaeology, and art history.

Housing in the historic center of Syracuse. The city and province of Syracuse has an enormously rich cultural heritage and boasts a wealth of archaeological and architectural remains that reflect a uniquely varied historical narrative. The city is host to a rich program of shows, exhibitions and cultural events throughout the year. Student accommodation is provided in comfortable apartments, shared with other MCAS students or on a single occupancy basis (upon special request). All reasonable charges for utilities (gas, electricity, water) are included in the program cost and all apartments include separate living and sleeping areas and come with a TV, bed linen, basic cooking utensils, equipped kitchens and bathrooms. All apartments are inspected on a regular basis and are located within a few minutes walk of Palazzo Ardizzone. Each student receives a cell phone, allowing them to be reachable at all times.

Academic Fieldwork. Academic fieldtrips are included in many courses. Please see course descriptions for details.

Orientation, Tours, Excursions, and Cultural Activities
You'll receive a thorough orientation to our program and the city of Syracuse upon arrival. In addition, MCAS provides an extensive program of site visits, free lectures, and other events designed to immerse all students into the cultural and historical context of Sicily and the Mediterranean. In addition, a 3-day visit to the beautiful Aeolian Islands is included.

Further Information:

Course Schedules and Descriptions
Fall 2008
Summer 2008
Spring 2008

Program Bulletin: 2007-2008 Dates and Costs
Academic Calendar
Application Instructions
Course Numbering
Arrival Information

"I loved everything about my semester abroad - it was so much more than I could have ever asked for. It was great to live in a place that wasn't very touristy. It really forced you to interact with the local people. It was a very authentic experience. I did tons of sightseeing and saw so many places, but no matter where I traveled I loved nothing more than my little apartment in Syracuse" Courtney Pelletier '07, art history

"The program in Syracuse definitely opened me to the world. I was living in a place where almost no one but the students spoke any English. It was amazing to see another culture and experience what it is like to live somewhere so unique." Neil Patrick O'Toole '07, English

Admission

This program is open to all juniors or senior students who are in good academic and social standing at their home institution, and who can certify a grade point average of at least 2.8 or more on a 4.0 scale. This program is competitive, and applicants are expected to exhibit a high level of maturity, independence, and seriousness of purpose.