A full range of business and economics courses are offered, as well as courses in journalism and communication studies. Italian language classes are offered, and students are encouraged to enhance their language skills. Students may take up to 18 credits of coursework and are encouraged to take at least one class outside of their professional area. This program is supported by the Saint Mary's Business Department. Courses taken may fulfill major requirements. Contact the Business Department Chair for specific information.

Courses Offered

All rooms have a private bathroom. Three meals a day are provided while classes are in session. Meals are served cafeteria style in the Italian tradition (1st course = pasta or rice; 2nd course = meat with vegetable or salad; 3rd course = dessert). While traveling, students are responsible for their own housing and food.

In addition to that, there is a $525 foreign study fee.

CIMBA offers both merit- and need-based financial awards available for students attending the semester programs. Award amounts vary from year to year based on the number of applications received and funding available. Only students who have applied and been accepted to the program will be considered.

Financial Aid Application Deadline:
October 15th - Spring Semester
May 1st - Fall Semester

Financial Aid Application

The CIMBA - Italy semester abroad is an SMU Affiliated Program. As such, all Federal and State aid (except work study) and up to $2000 in SMU institutional aid may be applied to the program’s costs.

Students should research the details of non-SMU scholarships for applicability and see the Director of Study Abroad for other scholarship and grant opportunities.

To be eligible, students need to:

• be a junior or senior and have a GPA of 2.5 or better.
• apply to CIMBA online. Print a copy of application and submit it to Study Abroad Office.
• submit Saint Mary's required paperwork to the Study Abroad Office.

Acceptance is contingent on a thorough review of the student's application by the SMU Director of Study Abroad and subsequent approval from CIMBA.

1.  Pay $400 non-refundable program deposit payable to SMU.
2.  Obtain a passport. Submit a copy of the first page of passport to the Study Abroad Office.
3.  Attend all orientation sessions.
4.  Obtain a student visa. Submit copy of visa stamp to Study Abroad Office.
5.  Arrange travel plans. Once obtained, submit a copy of your flight itinerary to the Study Abroad Office.
6.  Purchase the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) for $22 in the Study Abroad Office.

Paderno del Grappa is located at the base of Mount Grappa, a mountain located in the Dolomites. The municipality of Paderno del Grappa is approximately 45 miles north of Venice, and is close to larger towns, Asolo and Bassano del Grappa, also in the Treviso province.

The undergraduate campus is only a few miles from the campus in Asolo, at the base of Mount Grappa. The campus offers students the cultural experience of living in a small Italian community while providing access to the celebrated art and historical treasures of the Veneto region.

Climate

Winter months in Italy are generally cloudy and rainy. Cold temperatures rarely fall under 32 ° F (0 °C). January-March in Paderno del Grappa will typically be cool, damp, foggy, and rainy, ranging in temperatures from 40-50 °F (4-10 °C). Temperatures in April will be warmer, around 60-65 °F (16-18 °C). In Italy, temperature is measured in Celsius. F=(C*1.8)+32. Ex: 21 °C = 70 °F.

Time

When Central Standard Time is in effect in the United States, Italy is seven hours ahead. Daylight Savings Time is also observed in Italy.

Currency

The currency in Italy is the Euro. For the current exchange rate, click here. Euro bank notes come in the following denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. Coins are in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 1 euro and 2 euro.

More Information

• CIMBA Program
• Embassy of Italy
• Italian Tourism
• US Department of State Consular Information Sheet Italy
• US Embassy Italy