Customized Programs

CUSTOMIZED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS IN ITALY

As the place that fostered the birth of Renaissance art from Giotto to Michelangelo, literature, philosophy and intellectual thought as exemplified by the works of Dante, Petrarca, and Galileo, great cuisine which was widely dispersed by Caterina di Medici, and of fashion greats Ferragamo, Gucci and Prada, Italy is the ideal place to base a study abroad program.  The country that has inspired so many greats in centuries past continues to inspire students today.

Perhaps nowhere else than Tuscany, Italy can such a multitude of artistic, cultural and historic resources be found; situated in the true heart of the country, the regions has everything to offer, from medieval hill-top hamlets to bustling port cities, snow capped mountains to miles of beaches. Easily accessible, Tuscany is well connected to all of Italy and much of Europe by both train and plane, and within its boundaries it has so much to offer of its natural beauty and history.

Within this region, the greats such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonaroti, Galileo Galilei, Dante Aligheri, Giovanni Bocaccio, and Giacomo Puccini discovered their special talents.  Within its most famous city and regional capital, Florence, was born the Renaissance, Neo-plantonist thought, and arguably most important of all, the written Italian language.

MINGLE (Multidisciplinary INtegrated Global Learning Experience) embraces the intellectual curiosities and pursuits and gives them space to grow and develop within the classroom and beyond.  MINGLE fosters intellectual growth and inspires passion for all things Italian, opening the eyes of its students to a new perspective of the world around them through direct contact with the subjects they study and with real Italians.  MINGLE believes that the best way to get to know Italy is to explore it with native Italians.  Come and MINGLE with us, and let us show you Italy and give you the experience of a lifetime!

MINGLE provides you with the opportunity to design the program of a lifetime.  The customized programs enable faculty to select the theme for their academic trip and design the curriculum in collaboration with our instructors in order to produce a program that is unique and dynamic.  These tailor-made educational tours cater to the needs of any sized group from any university, college or high school.  The programs give students the opportunity to study in a hands-on environment with our faculty and yours, while giving the home institutions the control to design a curriculum with their faculty that fulfills the requirements for study abroad credit.

Teaching Florentine Renaissance Art History anywhere else is not as sweet.  It is a dream come true to discuss Michelangelo's sculptural techniques while peering up at his David, and turn around to see the excitement in my students' eyes.  Visiting professor

I've always loved Italian food but never knew it could taste this good!  I loved learning how to make fresh pasta in Italy and I will definitely try to make it again when I'm at home.  Culinary student

"There is something magical about the light in Tuscany, its softness and warmth never cease to amaze me.  Learning how to capture that light in photography has enabled me to take a part of Italy home with me."  Photography student

MINGLE's VISION

MINGLE aspires to provide a meaningful experience to students and faculty that will inspire them to continue to explore the world around them through hands-on study and interaction.  MINGLE works to establish long lasting ties with students, faculty and institutions that come to study and learn in Italy.  MINGLE endeavors to develop creative new ways to study and teach traditional and contemporary subjects, thereby stimulating both faculty and students to become more engaged in the subject matter.  MINGLE believes that by participating in a customized program, participants gain an expanded worldview through MINGLE’s commitment to cultural immersion and exchange.

WHY YOU SHOULD PARTNER WITH MINGLE FOR ALL OF YOUR CUSTOMIZED TOUR NEEDS?

MINGLE has over ten years of experience in organizing and running customized academic programs.  What is more, by organizing a study abroad program with MINGLE, you will have any and all of the services offered by six academically diverse institutions at your fingertips.  You can create a simple tour focusing on one topic, or offer an interdisciplinary program through a selection of subjects and courses from any of the individual institutions.

HOW TO DESIGN A CUSTOMIZED PROGRAM

Your customized program can be designed to use the resources of one or many of the affiliated institutions.  The programs may include but are not limited to: classes, seminars, lectures and excursions.  We are at your disposal to make recommendations and will be happy to accommodate any and all requests you may have.

Some programs are for credit while others are not, depending on the requirements of the visiting institution.  In the programs that are for credit, final grades are based on attendance, class participation and exams.  Required coursework for a program will be established with the Academic Director.

MINGLE customized programs offer the following services: airport pick-up an drop-off, an orientation session including welcome packets with useful information, classroom space for visiting teaching faculty, housing accommodations either in hotels or apartments, educational excursions, transportation by private bus or by train, student health insurance, free internet access in school facilities in Florence, free access to the school gym.

Faculty Led‚ a program where a visiting faculty member designs and participates in the program as an advisor or as an instructor.  Programs can be run off-site, using MINGLE to design and organize visits, and using MINGLE facilities for orientation, exams, and presentations.

Cultural Heritage Programs‚ academic programs that are offered both for credit and not for credit which explore many Italian cultural themes and can be designed either by a faculty member or client, or else can be selected from our vast repertoire of tours.  Examples of such programs include: Italian Heritage, Italian Jewish History, Tuscan Renaissance and Art History, Culinary and Slow Food, Exploration of the Visual and Historical Representations of St. Francis of Assisi, Classical and Contemporary Art in Italy from Florence to Venice (offered every-other-year during the Biennale).

Faculty Development , programs designed specifically for faculty and administrators that can be customized according to the issues and topics related to the rapidly changing landscape of globalized education.

Cooperative programs, programs where students in the group take one class with their accompanying faculty member(s) and one class through MINGLE affiliated institutions.

Host, programs where visiting faculty are given classroom space in which to teach.  These programs are often external programs, using MINGLE facilities for orientation and presentations.

For further information please write to: info@minglefirenze.it
 

 New for May 2010     please see related link 

FACULTY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ON EUROPEAN MANAGEMENT FROM A LOCALIZED PERSPECTIVE WITH AN EMPHASIS ON FLORENCE, ITALY

Designed with the support of the University of Memphis and Terry Umbreit, the director of the university's Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management. 

Past and Current Customized Programs    please see related link 

Please note that each program is specifically tailored according to the requests of the affiliated institution.