Summer: Rutgers- Global Journalism in Italy

Cover the global stories of our time, from impacts of immigration in Italy to struggles for human rights. Or focus on travel and culture stories related to Bologna’s renowned music, art, architecture and culinary scene. This sophisticated university city offers much to write about, as you learn how to conduct effective interviews, work with interpreters, shoot compelling photos and craft attention-grabbing stories!

Program Location

Italy

Bologna

Home to the oldest university in the western hemisphere, elegant Bologna is known in Italian as “la dotta” (referring “knowledge”), “la grassa,” for its extraordinary food, and “la rossa,” for its leftist politics. This gorgeous university city is magnificently located in one of Italy’s most exciting regions, with Florence, Venice, Rome, Milan, the Apennine mountains, Italian lakes and the Adriatic coast all a short train or bus ride away

The surrounding Emilia Romagna region is also well worth exploring: it’s home to some of Italy’s top food destinations and restaurants; to the luxury car empires of Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati; and to the sophisticated Renaissance cities of Ferrara and Ravenna, known for their palaces, artistic heritage and bike-friendly medieval roads.

Italy

Parma

Included in the cost of the course is a daytrip (TBD) to a nearby medieval city such as Ravenna, known for its famous mosaics, Parma known for its art and food, or Porretta Terme, a thermal bath spa town, with hot underground mineral water from the Apennine mountains, that has been a relaxing hot springs for visitors since Roman times.

Academics

Benvenuti! Get ready for our two-week adventure in one of the world’ s greatest cities, where you’ll have a chance to practice working as a travel writer!

Our challenge: to get a taste of the life of a travel writer, while developing stories you can feature in your professional portfolio and publish. Working with University of Bologna interpretation students, Rutgers students will be organized into teams, and will have an opportunity to write and photograph a professional-quality story, under the guidance of Professor Regina Marchi https://comminfo.rutgers.edu/marchi-regina

Through your research and interviews, you’ll learn what makes Bologna a “hidden gem” in Italy, and what everyday Bolognese are thinking, dreaming and worrying about.

Classes will meet weekday mornings, around two modules: basic Italian for one hour per day taught by a professional Italian teacher, and travel journalism, taught by Professor Marchi. After lunch, you’ll put your morning studies into action: you’ll go out reporting in teams, accompanied by your Italian interpreters, and sometimes by your professor, who will rotate with different teams each day.

The first (arrival) weekend will be devoted to orientation, local excursions within Bologna and a welcome dinner. The second long weekend – Friday, Saturday and Sunday – will be free for you to travel within Italy. Venice, Florence, Padua, and Rome are all easily accessible by train. (Students must remain inside Italy during the program and cannot travel to other countries.)

The course fee includes accommodations, daily breakfast, travel health insurance, ground transportation for group activities, all instruction and credits, the cost of hiring Italian interpreters, a few group meals for special events and a range of cultural excursions to museums, concerts and vineyards. It also includes a day trip to a nearby gorgeous medieval city. I look forward to reporting, and adventuring, with you!

Sample Course Syllabus:

See a past Travel Writing syllabus.

See photos from previous classes:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/746217540325273

See publications from Professor Marchi’s previous students below:

Diving into Underground Bologna:

https://kairosmagazine.rutgers.edu/diving-into-underground-bologna/

Women’s Library Key to advancing feminism

https://kairosmagazine.rutgers.edu/womens-library-key-to-advancing-feminism/

Young Activists Pave the Way to a Unified World:

https://kairosmagazine.rutgers.edu/young-activists-pave-the-way-to-a-unified-world/

Where gay Travelers are Welcome:

https://kairosmagazine.rutgers.edu/a-welcoming-destination-for-gay-and-other-open-hearted-travelers/

The Happiest Hour (Aperitivo):

https://kairosmagazine.rutgers.edu/bologna-apertivo-marchi-team/

Ideal Participant Profile for the Rutgers Global Journalism Program in Italy

Season & Climate:
Bologna in the summer has warm, sometimes hot temperatures, averaging between 75–90°F (24–32°C). Students should be prepared for sunny days, and occasional rain showers, with comfortable walking shoes as they’ll navigate Bologna on foot, as many locals do.

Characteristics of a Successful Participant:

Passionate About Journalism and Storytelling:
This program is ideal for students eager to hone their journalism skills through hands-on experience in a global context. Participants should have a strong interest in exploring storytelling, interviewing, and reporting, with a focus on international perspectives.
Professional Mindset and Dedication to Learning:
While the setting in Bologna is captivating, students are expected to approach this experience as an immersive learning opportunity rather than a vacation. Rigorous coursework, field assignments, and journalistic site visits will be central to the program, providing substantial career development.
Interest in Italian Culture and Local Issues:
Bologna, with its historic architecture, academic community, and lively local culture, offers a unique perspective on Italian life. Students should be eager to learn about local topics, including Italian media, political trends, and social issues, enhancing their understanding of European and global affairs.
Physical Preparedness for an Active Lifestyle:
As is common across Europe, Bologna is a walkable city, and locals rely heavily on walking or public transport. Students should be comfortable with daily walking, sometimes over cobblestone streets or hilly paths. An appreciation for this cultural aspect will help participants feel at ease.
Adaptability and Resourcefulness:
Journalism often requires flexibility and resilience. Students should be comfortable working in varied settings, conducting interviews, and adapting to challenges that may arise during fieldwork. Those who thrive in dynamic, real-world learning environments will get the most from this program.
Strong Communication Skills and Receptivity to Feedback:
Journalism demands clear communication and openness to critique. Students who are prepared to engage with Italian locals and accept constructive feedback on their work will have the richest experience and the greatest potential for growth.
Commitment to Ethical Reporting and Accurate Storytelling:
Ethical journalism is a focal point of the program. Students who prioritize integrity in reporting and are mindful of accurately representing diverse perspectives will gain valuable insights into cross-cultural storytelling, an essential skill in today’s globalized media.

Housing and Meals

Students will live in a centrally located residence hall in the city center, in double rooms with one other roommate. The program covers daily breakfast, group welcome and farewell dinners, and a number of local cultural activities and excursions. The rest of meals are on your own. Airfare is not included.

Financial Information

Summer 2025

Program Costs

This is the billed amount that will appear on your Rutgers term bill during the term you study abroad.

	NJ Resident	non-NJ Resident
Undergrad	$3,990	$4,320
Graduate	$4,200	$4,520

Program Cost includes:

• Tuition
• Housing
• Excursions
• Administrative Fees
• Emergency Medical Access Abroad

*JMS students will receive $500 scholarship to lower the program cost. JMS UG price: $3490 or $3820

Out-of-Pocket Costs

These are estimated expenses that are not part of your term bill. Students will need to pay for these expenses out-of-pocket.


Airfare	$1,300
Meals	$400
Personal Expenses	$200
Total	$1,900.00

Out-of-Pocket Cost includes:

The above costs are estimations and represent the known out-of-pocket costs students encounter during their time abroad.

Some of these expenses will be paid for prior to going abroad, such as an airline ticket, while some of these expenses, such as meals and personal expenses, will be paid in-country as part of your daily expenses. As you plan, you will need to budget these costs and spend wisely throughout your time abroad.

Scholarships

Rutgers Global–Study Abroad Scholarships

Available to all Rutgers students participating in a Rutgers Global–Study Abroad program. Applications can be found inside of your study abroad program application. For more information, please visit the Scholarship section of our website.

The National Italian American Foundation

The National Italian American Foundation is a significant font of study abroad financing to Italy, providing scholarships of $2,000-$12,000 each. Applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.5, and at least one ancestor of Italian heritage.

JMS Departmental Scholarship

Students in the Journalism and Media Studies (JMS) will receive $500 per course. This scholarship is already applied to the JMS program cost.

Faculty Leaders

Dr. Regina Marchi

Professor Regina Marchi, Ph.D. is a former journalist and current researcher who has traveled widely throughout Italy and is one of the co-founders of the Journalism and Media Studies Department’s short-term study abroad initiative. She speaks Italian and Spanish. For more information, please contact Prof. Regina Marchi <rmarchi@rutgers.edu>