Description
Bologna, the main town of the region Emilia-Romagna,
is one of the main towns of Italy. The city is also
called "la grassa" (the rich and the fat)
because of its excellent and famous cuisine; "la
rossa" (the red) because of the red colour of the
terracotta and tiles, which are characteristic of the
houses; "la dotta" (the learned) because of
its University, which is the oldest institution of its
kind in the Western World, founded in 1088. The decision
of Bologna to recover its historical center, has been
an example for Italy and Europe; also by the importance
that social services have in the budget of the city,
which leads several studies on the city and its administration.
The school is located in the Palazzo Pepoli, a medieval
construction in the historical center of Bologna, near
the famous Two Towers of the city.
Lodging
The institute is in charge to look for and book a room
in family houses, apartments (private or shared with
other students) and in hotels.
Academics
The school organizes language courses in cooperation
with other cultural Institutes during the year. The
courses begin on Mondays with an exam, 6 different levels
and last 4, 3, 2 or 6, 8, 12 weeks. These consist of
20 academic hours (each one of 50 minutes) plus 6 hours
of program per week. Aside from the normal classes,
of 6 to 12 students, the school also offers 3 to 5 students
groups, courses with 2 students and individual classes.
Courses for the preparation to the exams for the Italian
universities are also dictated. At the end of the course
the students receive a certificate.
Activities
The program consists of several activities that involve
a general comprehension of the Italian lifestyle: history
of the art, present time and political society. Historical
visits to museums and places are made, also a visit
to a psychiatric hospital with chat on the advances
and problems of the Italian legislation of psychiatry,
an encounter with members of several political parties,
that can help to understand the daily problems of the
city, a stroll to discover the hidden beauties of Bologna
and a visit to the study of a famous fashion designer.
