Italian Immersion Program
Since 2009, the Italian Immersion Program has given Central Ohio Technical College students the unique opportunity to stay with host families in Italy and tour the country to expose themselves to other cultures and expand their learning experience beyond the classroom.
This chaperoned, all-expenses-paid cultural immersion program includes travel to Reggello and Florence as well as multiple venues in the Tuscany region of Italy where students explore the Italian language, art, classical studies, history, literature, philosophy, music, food and architecture.
Photos provided by Lenna Stiltner, 2024 COTC graduate and 2023 Italian Immersion Program participant.
Eligibility
Interested students must meet the following requirements:
- At least 18 years old at time of travel
- Completed a minimum of one semester (before the start of the spring semester)
- Have least nine credit hours of college-level coursework at COTC
- Enroll during the spring semester
- Return for the summer/autumn semester OR graduate in spring semester
College Credit Plus (CCP) students are not eligible to participate.
Important Dates
COTC students will travel to Italy in summer 2027. More details coming soon.
Apply
Acceptance to the program is competitive and is determined based on academic and behavioral records, involvement with COTC, a written statement of purpose, a letter of recommendation, and a demonstrated interest in participating in an intensive cultural immersion experience. All interested students must complete an application and a personal interview with a selection committee.
The application will open in autumn 2026.
For more information, contact the Office of Student Life at waser.5@mail.cotc.edu or 740.364.9578.
Cost
Due to the extreme generosity of the Gilbert Reese Family Foundation, there will be no program cost incurred by the selected student participants in this program. Program fees that are covered for all student participants include flight, in-country travel, accommodations, meals, and all excursions and field trips. The program fee does not include personal expenses.
Accommodations
During the program, students stay as guests of selected host families, in their homes, within the town of Reggello, Italy.
Passports
Passports are required for every COTC student participating in the study abroad program. The coordination of the passport application process as well as any ensuing cost will be provided by COTC. Passports must be valid and not expire prior to January 2027. If your passport’s expiration date occurs prior to that date, you will be required to renew.
Pre-Departure Orientation
On-campus seminars will meet four to five times prior to the program for three hours of discussion and visual presentation. These sessions will also be utilized as pre-departure orientation sessions and are all mandatory. In addition, an online training module will be utilized and may require a time commitment outside of the seminars.
Sponsor
This program is possible through the generosity of Louella H. Reese and the Gilbert Reese Family Foundation. Thanks to the Reese family and their efforts to sustain this program by covering all program fees, COTC gives students a competitive edge in the global marketplace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will we get to experience?
Every year is a different experience curated by the Young Professionals Project (YPP) located in Reggello, Italy. They design a detailed and curated itinerary that includes tourist destinations, local favorites and more. The itinerary balances the tourist experiences you’d expect while in Italy with the feeling of what it would be like to live there.
What physical requirements should I expect?
In past years, students walked 10+ miles every day. This includes walking at differing inclines with steep stairs in dry, hot heat.
Do I need a passport?
Yes! COTC will help you get your passport, from cost to filling out paperwork, if you do not already have one or need to get yours renewed. This topic will be covered in one of the mandatory prep meetings.
Do I need to know how to speak Italian?
No, the Young Professionals Project (YPP) group will help translate. However, you can expect to learn some Italian during the immersive experience.
Why are there COTC chaperones?
Chaperones are COTC faculty or staff that join students for the entirety of the immersion trip. They are designed to be a helpful and familiar addition to the immersion experience that aids with questions or needs that occur while traveling.
What do the prep meetings cover?
The prep meetings are designed to cover topics like what to pack, food, getting a passport, host families, travel days, transportation, physical requirements and more.
Can I connect with my host family prior to traveling?
Once you’re selected for the program, you’ll fill out a short questionnaire that will help pair you with your host family. From there, you’ll be able to connect with your host family virtually prior to traveling. While with them, you can expect to become a member of their family, spending every morning and evening with them.