Why Study Italian?

The University of Arizona graduates more students with Italian majors than any other U.S. university. 
Chronicle of Higher Education, 2019

Discover

Explore a vibrant cultural world that has shaped art, literature, cinema, cuisine, fashion, and design across the globe. From Renaissance masterpieces to contemporary fashion industries, Italian culture continues to influence how we imagine creativity and beauty.

At the University of Arizona, small, student-focused classes provide the individual attention that nurtures your curiosity and communication skills — preparing you to bring Italian language and culture into your future studies, career, and life.

Experience

​Engage with Italian through interactive, culturally rich experiences. A key resource is Italian in Wonderland, a free digital platform developed by Italian faculty that pairs language study with authentic texts created for language users rather than learners, giving you an up-to-date view of contemporary Italian culture.

Through discussion-based classes and hands-on projects — like cooking, simulated business meetings, and creative design — you experience Italian beyond grammar and vocabulary, while building skills to connect with Italian-speaking communities.

Connect

Italian is a bridge across the arts, business, and STEM disciplines. Many students combine Italian with another major, pairing language study with cultural knowledge to open doors to international careers, internships, and roles in global business, cultural institutions, tourism, and the arts.

Studying Italian strengthens your communication, intercultural competency, and global perspective — skills increasingly valuable in today’s interconnected world.

Immerse

Italian truly comes to life in Italy. The Immersive Italian in Orvieto program places you in a historic hilltop town in Umbria, at the heart of Italian culture. Living in a small community, you use Italian daily — from cafés and markets to museums, festivals, and historic streets — while exploring local art, cuisine, traditions, and history.

This unique experience is a transformative moment in your university journey, building language confidence, a sense of place, and a lasting connection to Italian culture.

Grow

The University of Arizona’s Italian program blends engaging language instruction with hands-on cultural experiences, digital innovation, and interdisciplinary learning. You will gain practical skills and cultural insight that prepare you for a wide range of academic and professional paths.

Whether your passion is art, travel, global culture, heritage, or international careers, studying Italian offers a distinctive way to connect language, creativity, and the world.