Study Abroad in Italy – Scholarships

Each local chapter organizes activities for exchange students and host families throughout the year, like parties and trips to other cities in Italy. So, while you’ll be so much more than a tourist, you’ll still get to see the sights and savor la dolce vita (the sweet life)!

This is your chance to learn the ins and outs of Italian daily life and experience what it’s like to be an Italian teenager.  As a country known to excel in art, architecture, food, and culture, Italy is an ideal place to step outside of your comfort zone and engage in an exciting new adventure.

The students are placed in one of the 160 local chapters throughout Italy (from the extreme north to the extreme south and the major islands of Sicily and Sardegna), where they will be closely assisted during the entire year by trained volunteers. Intercultura offers a 40 hour (at least) language course once in Italy. Some students decide to acquire a certification at the end of the program which serves as an international recognition of their language skills gained while on the program. Intercultura works with the Italian schools in order to obtain the most suitable program of studies for the students with specific requirements, which often results in personalized school schedules. During the program, Intercultura provides intercultural learning opportunities through training sessions on regional and local levels, which also give the students the possibility to share their experiences and offer peer to peer advice, together with trained coordinators, on how to face the various cultural challenges (big or small) that all students inevitably encounter.

Houses in Italy vary quite a bit. Generally there are three types: apartment or condominium, a big country house surrounded by land, or a townhouse with a small garden (yard).  Naturally, whether or not the student will share a bedroom depends on the kind of house; however, very often they do.

Families are the focal point for life in Italy. But like anywhere in the world, all families are different. It’s common, especially in the south, for many generations to live together under one roof. Young adults tend to stay at home until they get married, so you might have older host siblings living with you as well.

Italians take their time when eating, so get ready for long, filling meals. Conversations can be a full-body experience, complete with hand gestures and animated facial expressions. Expect to have plenty of lively conversations with loyal friends and family.

Local chapters also offer an Exchange Week opportunity: year program students can choose to visit another part of Italy for a week to expand their understanding of Italian culture!

September 2026 – July 2027

Apply Now!