Spotlight: Arizona in Orvieto — A Home Away from Home
Perched on a cliff in central Italy, surrounded by rolling green hills and patches of vineyards, sits the medieval town of Orvieto. With its cobblestone streets, unique architecture, and rich history, Orvieto is the perfect place to call home during a summer study abroad program. Participating in Arizona in Orvieto allowed me to immerse myself in Italian culture, take engaging classes with U of A professors, and return with countless unforgettable experiences.
From shopping at the local farmers market for fresh cheese and fruit to nightly gelato trips with my roommates, Orvieto quickly began to feel like home. As a journalism student, I earned direct credit for my minor and captured memorable moments of my trip in my photojournalism class. All of our courses were taught by Arizona faculty and often included special content related to our abroad experience and Italian culture. In my food writing class, we sampled local cuisines and wrote about the best meals we had tried in new cities.
Each weekend, I looked forward to the program’s planned field trips where we could venture outside of Orvieto and see some of Italy’s most iconic cities and landmarks. These excursions included guided trips to museums, archaeological sites, and even a boat day on the coast. One of our most memorable field trips was to Florence, complete with a visit to the Ufitizi and a tour of the stunning Boboli gardens. With such a centralized location, it was easy to travel from Orvieto by train and explore different parts of the country.
While each trip was exciting, I was always grateful to return to Orvieto and be welcomed by the peaceful town. Visiting cafes where I had become a regular, admiring the views from lookout points, and walking familiar paths to class became a routine that made me grateful to live in such a unique Italian city for five weeks.
If you are looking to earn direct credit for your degree and learn from U of A staff while experiencing an authentic Italian community, Arizona in Orvieto is the perfect summer study abroad program for you!
Applications for Summer 2026 at Arizona in Orvieto are due February 25th, 2026!