Joseph S. Bruno Auburn Abroad in Italy Immerse yourself in a professional and personal life-changing experience...

As early as the 16th century it became fashionable for young noble men, and later women, to embark on a tour of Europe as a culmination of their educational experience. This experience, known as the Grand Tour, typically lasted from a few months to as many as eight years. Italy, with its ancient heritage, became one of the most popular destinations on the Grand Tour as these young men and women visited Rome, Florence, Venice, and Naples and immersed themselves in all facets of the foreign culture including, language, art, architecture, history, literature, food, clothing, and local customs. While abroad, travelers were expected to represent their home county, develop relationships with the people in the host county, and maintain these relationships through correspondence after their return home. Most young adults who participated in the Grand Tour kept diaries or journals describing their experiences and interactions with the local culture. There are many books describing the grand tour including, Jeremy Black’s Italy and the Grand Tour and Mark Twain’s The Innocents Abroad.

Today, in the College of Human Sciences at Auburn University, you have the unique opportunity to participate in a 21st century Grand Tour through the Joseph S. Bruno Auburn Abroad in Italy program. This semester-long program begins in the small town of Ariccia located approximately 20 miles from Rome and offers more than a dozen excursions to a variety of cities including, Rome, the neighboring towns of the Castelli Romani, Tivoli, Siena, Florence, Naples, and Milan. Optional travel opportunities also are available to Venice, Cinque Terre, the Amalfi Coast, and other interesting cities and sites.

Following the path of the Grand Tour, students earn 16 credits and the International Minor while immersing themselves in the art, architecture, history, language, philosophy, literature and film of Italy through the competent guidance of notable Italian lecturers who are experts in these areas. Additionally, they receive academic preparation in their areas of specialization in the College of Human Sciences–Consumer Affairs, Human Development and Family Studies, and Nutrition and Food Sciences through field trips, experiential learning activities, and academic research projects. Like their predecessors on the original Grand Tour, Joseph S. Bruno Auburn Abroad in Italy students maintain a journal of their experiences, albeit in the digital age format of the WEBlog, and make long lasting friendships, both with their Human Sciences peers and with Italian partners, that will last a lifetime.

We encourage you to be a new era nobleman or noblewoman and join us on our Grand Tour. For additional information, please contact Marilyn Bradbard or Carol Warfield.