ITALY - ISEP Universita degli Studi di Trieste

History, art, culture, and style - Italy’s got it all!

The Università degli Studi di Trieste is an ideal location for students interested in improving their Italian language skills. Courses are taught in Italian at a university that consists of 12 faculties, boasting a wide range of university courses. Students will quickly adjust to Italian culture in Trieste as they will be surrounded by the beautiful cityscape and historic sites throughout the city.

This program is best for a student that is independent.  A student must be comfortable with advocating for themselves on campus and comfortable with the local language to thrive in this location. Please be aware that there may not be the same access to internet or amenities to which you may be accustomed.  Student services and especially class registration may not be at all similar to what is done at the College and may be difficult for some students to adjust.

Learn more about the Università degli Studi di Trieste here! Read the ISEP Country Handbook to learn more about visa requirements, educational system, and culture.

Experiences of Former Students

WHAT PAST STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY

Layra N (New Mexico State University)- I learned a lot about myself and I grew from the experience. I was able to meet new people and go to places I had never been before. I highly recommend the experience, it is really life-changing!
Eligibility

To be eligible to participate in this program, students must meet the following requirements:

  • Good academic and judicial standing during time of application AND time of participation in program
  • Undergraduates must have completed at least two semesters of study at Lake Forest College AND have junior status or higher before participation. 
  • At least 18 years of age by the program’s departure date. 
  • Be able to stay at the host program for the duration of the semester, including through the exam and travel periods
  • Minimum GPA of 2.75.  
  • Language Requirement for courses in English: ISEP recommends that students who take courses in English have 1 to 2 semesters of university-level Italian in order to facilitate better communication in Trieste.
  • Language Requirement for courses in Italian: A minimum of 4 semesters of university-level Italian or the equivalent must be completed prior to the program. Students must submit the ISEP Language Proficiency Report as part of their application.
  • Students must submit ISEP language proficiency report in the application, even if native speaker.

Students applying to ISEP must apply for an Exchange option (in any country) as a first choice but may apply to a Direct option as a back-up. Direct options may have an additional cost (see a financial section for more information).

Location

Trieste, for centuries the “gateway to the sea” of the Austrian Empire, lies at the northernmost tip of the Adriatic Sea. The capital of Italy’s Friuli-Venezia-Giulia region, Trieste is nestled between a beautiful gulf, which annually hosts the largest sailing regatta in Europe, and the highlands of Karst. Almost everything in Trieste is within walking distance and the city has reliable public transportation including a turn-of-the-century streetcar for the hills. Due to its past as a seaport and emporium, Trieste has a rich history of cultural and religious diversity. Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia are within easy reach.

Academics

Trieste, for centuries the “gateway to the sea” of the Austrian Empire, lies at the northernmost tip of the Adriatic Sea. The capital of Italy’s Friuli-Venezia-Giulia region, Trieste is nestled between a beautiful gulf, which annually hosts the largest sailing regatta in Europe, and the highlands of Karst. Almost everything in Trieste is within walking distance and the city has reliable public transportation including a turn-of-the-century streetcar for the hills. Due to its past as a seaport and emporium, Trieste has a rich history of cultural and religious diversity. Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia are within easy reach.

PROGRAMS

The Bachelor’s degree in Economics of Financial Markets and Innovation offers courses in English.

English Literature and American Literature are available in English in the Degree of Foreign Languages and Literatures in the Department of Humanities.  With the possible exception of English and Russian literature, courses at the Faculty for Interpreters and Translators are not open to ISEP students.

It may also be possible to arrange for independent study with a professor in English. However, this option may only be used to round out a schedule and achieve full-time status.

Language Courses: Semi-Intensive Italian language courses are offered in addition to regular classes during the academic year for beginner and intermediate levels (50 contact hours per course). Please note that this Italian language course usually begins a couple of weeks before the beginning of regular classes and continue for the whole duration of the semester. This is why they cannot be described as a pre-session course. These courses appear on the transcript as pass or fail, and are included in ISEP benefits. 

HINTS FOR RESEARCHING COURSES

A course search engine can be found by clicking on the “courses” link. Students have the option to switch the language to English. Students should make sure to choose the Trieste campus.

Click on the degree program that appears from the search results
Click on the link next to “degree class”
Click on the links under the column “subject field” for a list of individual courses.

Student Life

ORIENTATION

The staff of the Office of International Relations and the ISEP coordinator will provide students with all the necessary information to live and study in Trieste upon arrival. 

ARRIVAL DETAILS 

The host will provide arrival directions with acceptance packet.

  Experiential Opportunities
ISEP students may be able to volunteer at the Italian American Association/American Corner of Trieste which organizes English language film series, language classes, readings for children, and a host of other activities. The association’s website is found here. Other potential volunteer opportunities include cultural associations or special events.

Students with advanced knowledge of Italian may be able to intern as a part of their coursework, earning 3 ECTS.
Housing and Meals

Students are housed in single-occupancy rooms in residence halls with bath, and receive a meal plan at student cafeterias.

Financial Information

For all approved programs for guaranteed financial aid transferability, students pay their Lake Forest College tuition plus a program fee. The program fee for a semester with the ISEP Exchange program includes orientation, on-site director, college fees, housing and a stipend to cover the equivalent of 19/meals per week.

Here is an estimated budget for the Fall 2018/Spring 2019 programs:

Budget Item

Amount

Lake Forest College Tuition

$23,160

Program fee (estimated)

Note: Spring may have added cost

TBD

Total Expected Billed by Lake Forest College

 TBD

ISEP Fees

 $475

ISEP-required health and repatriation insurance (estimated, $90/mo)

Note: Some countries require national insurance. Check ISEP

 $360

Additional Meals

 $600

Estimated Airfare

*Students placed on ISEP Exchange may be eligible for up to $750 airfare award

 $1,200

Estimated Personal Expenses (passport, visas, immunizations, textbooks, supplies, personal expenses, additional national insurance if required, travel insurance, additional travel etc.)

 $1,700

Total Expected Out-of-Pocket Expenses

 $4,185

Total

TBD

Tuition rates and program fees are subject to change each year, but this information was up-to-date as of February 2018. We will notify applicants, and update this page if the program fee or other estimates change.

You can discuss with Financial Aid your specific aid package and your expected family contribution.

Keep in mind that you may spend more or less in certain areas like personal expenses, travel, meals, or airfare, depending on exchange rates and your own spending habits. Classroom or lab fees are not included in this estimate and will depend on your course registration choices.  

Don’t forget to apply for scholarships! A great listing can be found here.  

  • Contact:

    For Questions About the Initial Application Process:

    Alexandra Olson
    Coordinator of the Global Engagement Office
    847-735-5231
    aolson@lakeforest.edu