Program Highlights for Reggio Emilia, Italy

• Live and study in a charming city known for having one of the highest qualities of life in Italy. Many locals enjoy riding bikes throughout the city as part of a slow-paced lifestyle.
• Take courses in Italian language, education, health, economics, and communications at an award-winning university.
• Enjoy field trips, optional tours, and other opportunities to explore Emilia-Romagna—this culturally and naturally rich and varied region of Italy.
• Truly savor the cuisine of the region—some say the country’s best food! The region is known for parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar, and more.
• The USAC Resident Director and staff are present on-site full-time to welcome and support you during your term abroad.

Why Study in Reggio Emilia?

Study in Reggio Emilia to learn while enjoying life in a charming mid-sized city in north-central Italy—home of one of the highest qualities of life in Italy and many say the country’s best food. With fewer than 200,000 inhabitants and an award-winning university, Reggio Emilia is a perfect location for students looking to immerse themselves in Italian culture away from crowded tourist destinations. This city of Roman origin, where the Italian tricolor flag was born, is rich in history, culture, and tradition. It also as a community has a strong commitment and interest in the outdoors which you can enjoy by riding a bike on the city’s 141 kilometers of bike paths or enjoying some of the city’s 31 parks.

You can take courses in health, education, communications, and Italian Studies. Through a variety of field trips, you will have firsthand exposure to the history, food, culture and beautiful natural surroundings of the city of Reggio Emilia and the region of Emilia-Romagna. In addition to various high-quality courses taught by local and international professors, the program includes field trips and local visits in the city and neighboring towns, countryside, coast, and nearby sites of unique interest.

You will enjoy strolling through the recently renovated city center, many cobblestone streets, and spacious piazzas where open markets are held at least three days per week. An added advantage to Reggio Emilia is the free Wi-Fi available throughout the city! Emilian cuisine is lauded as one of the best in the world. Don’t miss the chance to savor tortelli di zucca—light ravioli-like pasta filled with delicious pumpkin, or multilayer tomato lasagne. Reggio Emilia is home to many vegetarian and organic restaurants and shops, and strongly believes in healthy living and appreciation of the environment and outdoors.

The region of Emilia Romagna lies between the river Po, the longest in Italy, to the north, and the Apennine mountains to the south. It is considered one of the most fertile regions in Italy due to its relatively mild climate influenced by the air from the Adriatic coast. You can experience four distinct seasons in this area, from snowy cold winters to lovely warm summers. Those who love to ski and hike will find the mountains very close by; while those who love the sun and sea will enjoy the longest beach in Europe on the Romagna coast in towns like Rimini, Riccione and Cattolica, known as the Romagna Riviera. Wellness spas and thermal baths are also found in this region.