ECU Tuscany: Summer 2026

The Summer 2026 application is now open!

Apply now! Once the program fills, we will begin a waiting list.

Earn up to 7 hours of general college fine arts, humanities and kinesiology credits, while traveling in Italy.

We will begin our travels in the enchanting city of Venice, where we will spend three days exploring its romantic canals, lined with centuries-old architecture.

In addition to a tour of the magnificent San Marco Basilica, we will visit the vibrant islands of Burano and Murano, immersing ourselves in the rich culture and exquisite cuisine of one of the most picturesque cities in the world.

Leaving Venice, we will travel by bus to the Medieval Tuscan village of Certaldo, our home base. Here we will reside in beautiful apartments conveniently located just minutes from our ECU classrooms, allowing us to study, travel, enjoy the surrounding park, and share many delicious evening meals together.

 

Our itinerary includes day trips to Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, and Volterra, as well as four days on the dramatic Italian Riviera, where we will explore the stunning Cinque Terre.

As we approach the end of the term, we will venture further south to Rome, followed by a visit to the breathtaking Amalfi Coast.

We will spend three days in an elegant hotel on the Bay of Naples, enjoying the beaches, taking a boat ride along the coast, and visiting the ancient ruins of Pompeii, before returning to Rome for our departure back to the States

Cost for our summer session is $7,300

+ $100 study abroad administrative fee.

Cost includes:

• Tuition for 3-7 credits
• Transportation to and from the arrival and departure airports in Italy
• Lodgings and utilities in beautiful furnished apartments in Certaldo
• Dinners on all class days in Certaldo
• Lodgings, breakfasts and dinners on all overnight trips
• Museum entrances and guided tours
• Health insurance on the program (no copay-it covers 100%)
• Transportation on all school trips in Italy (boats, trains, buses, metros)
• 3 days in Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast
• 3 days on the Italian Riviera, with entrance to Cinque Terre hiking trails
• 3 days in Venice
• 3 days in Rome
• Day trips to San Gimignano, Volterra, Siena, and Florence

Students budget for their own breakfasts and lunches in Certaldo and lunches on overnight trips. This cost is minimal because our apartments have full furnished kitchens for cooking, and groceries are generally less expensive than in the states. Apartments are completely furnished, with necessities, washing machines and bed linens. A conservative estimate of out-of-pocket costs would be $400 – $800 (depending on purchases of souvenirs).

Please note that airfare is not included in the program cost. The program director will provide recommended flight options so we can take advantage of group transportation from the airport. It is important that you do not book your flights until you receive these suggestions.

Typically, airfare during this season ranges from $1,300 to $1,700. Once the program reaches capacity, students will receive detailed information about which flights to book. Please wait for the director’s guidance before making any flight reservations!

Summer 2026

There will be two application review cycles, on dates listed below. If the program fills after the first review date, applications will close. If the program is still not full after the second cycle, applications may remain open until filled. We often have long wait-lists for this summer program, so apply soon.

Priority Application Review:

• Application Deadline: September 15, 2025
• Notification Deadline: On or around September 29, 2025
• Commitment Deadline: October 13, 2025 (within 2 weeks of acceptance)
• If the program fills during this application period, further applications will be closed.

Standard Application Review

• Application Deadline: October 15, 2025
• Notification Deadline: On or around October 29, 2025
• Commitment Deadline: November 12, 2025 (within 2 weeks of acceptance)
• If the program is not filled, the application deadline may be extended.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

• Fill out the application.
• Be sure you have answered all questions and that your application is complete.
• It will be listed pending until all signatures and questionnaires are filled out.
• Please carefully complete the statement of interest in your own words, about your own personal experience – with no AI assistance.
• NOTE: Before your application can be reviewed, it is required that you schedule and attend a mandatory meeting with a member of the Study Abroad staff. Instructions are included in your application.
• Completed applications will be reviewed, and you will be notified of your application status by the dates listed above.
• If you are accepted, you will be emailed a letter explaining how to confirm your spot with an online payment of the $100.00 application fee and the $200.00 housing deposit. These payments must be paid within the two weeks of acceptance, or you will be moved to the waiting list.
• While you are waiting for your application to be reviewed, you should be preparing to make the application fee and the $200.00 housing deposit that will confirm your spot – you will have only 2 weeks after acceptance to make that payment before being moved to the waitlist.

Summer 2026 Payment Schedule $100.00 non-refundable study abroad administrative fee and $200 non-refundable housing deposit due within 2 weeks of acceptance.

February 28, 2026: $3,550

March 31, 2026: $3,550

It  is very important to make payments on time because the funds are used to book your lodgings and transportation. If you are on financial aid, please let the study abroad office  know so your payment schedule can be modified based on your financial aid award.

2026 Summer Session Itinerary:

(Do not book flights until you receive recommended itineraries from the Director!)

Course Offerings

All classes are taught by veteran ECU Tuscany teachers, who are passionate about Italian culture and history. The course offerings integrate Italy’s rich heritage in the subject matter, designed to take advantage of our location and the travel itinerary.

Detailed syllabi will be sent to accepted students, and drop and add is possible, once classes meet in Italy. Final class offerings are subject to change, depending on student interest.

You will be registered for your classes in the spring by the Study Abroad office after you have sent the program director your final class choices. You will not register yourself for classes through the ECU website, as you normally do for on campus classes.  Our classes are not listed on that site. Click on the link for a longer description of class offerings.

• ART 1910 – Art Appreciation (fine arts general education, 3 credits)
• ART 1250 and ART 2200 – Digital Photography (fine arts general education, 3 credits)
• KINE 1000 – Health and Fitness: Yoga (cannot be taken more than once, 1 credit)
  • KINE 1070 – Yoga – (for those who have already taken KINE 1000 and want to take yoga)
• ENGL 1000 – Literature (3 credits)

If you have questions about the application process contact the ECU Tuscany Program director, Linda Darty at dartyl@ecu.edu. If you would like to inquire about the status of your application at any time, please contact the Education Abroad Office at studyabroad@ecu.edu