Study at OU
There are so many reasons to study Italian that it’s hard to know where to begin. So, let’s begin with you. What are you passionate about?
Art and Art History
Italy has 60% of the world’s art and is home to the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world (54). Italian language is key to study and research in the fields of art history, archeology, architecture, among many others.
Travel and Adventure
Study abroad at OU’s own campus in Arezzo, Italy already knowing the language so you can make friends with the locals, travel around Italy while speaking Italian, and be eligible for many Arezzo internships!
Cinema
Watch masterpieces by Fellini, Pasolini, Visconti, among many others, in the original and appreciate the nuances of the works that defined the history of world cinema.
Literature
William Blake and T.S. Eliot learned Italian just so they could read Dante in the original. Savor the masterpieces of Italian literature, from the origins to today, as they were intended to be read!
Food
Learn to recognize, appreciate, name and even cook authentic Italian dishes. Up your foodie game with first-hand knowledge of Italian culinary and wine traditions, local ingredients and rich regional cuisine!
Music
Italian is the mother language of opera. Whether you want to enjoy La Traviata in the original, or the Italian libretti of Mozart, knowing the language will enhance your aesthetic experience. If you want to play an instrument, you’ll understand and master a host of musical terms in no time.
Fashion and Design
Italy is the world capital of fashion and design. A knowledge of Italian allows you to study the original work of legendary Italian designers such as Versace, Gucci, Armani and Prada, and to find employment at one of the world-famous Italian fashion houses.
Career Opportunities
Italy is the 8th-largest economy in the world and the 3rd-largest in the Eurozone. It is a world leader in the fields of food, machinery, robotics, vehicles, pharmaceuticals, fashion, among many others. Around 7500 American firms do business with Italy and over 1000 US companies have offices in Italy, while many Italian companies have offices in the US. Employers are constantly seeking people who speak Italian. Plus, bilinguals earn more money than their monolingual counterparts!
