Biomedical Sciences and Public Health in Italy
- Earn 2 biology credits towards your degree.
- Explore differences between the Italian and U.S. public health systems.
- Visit hospitals, clinics, medical centers, and labs to gain an understanding of health and disease in Italy.
- Visit the Coliseum, view world-famous Renaissance art, and explore two of Italy’s most enchanting cities: Florence and Rome.
- Applications now open for Spring Break 2025! Visit the 'Life Abroad' section below for this year's itinerary.
This program offers a first-hand look at practical applications of biomedical sciences in Italy. Through visits to public and private healthcare facilities, research centers, a molecular laboratory, diagnostics company and more, students will gain an understanding of how biomedical researchers, biologists, and medical professionals tackle issues of health and disease in Italy. The visits will expose students to the Italian approach to public health to compare and contrast public health and healthcare facilities in the United States. The program also includes city tours of Rome and Florence and several cultural activities.
This program takes place in two of Italy’s most iconic cities: Rome and Florence. Rome is the capital city of Italy and one of Europe’s most ancient urban centers dating back more than 3,000 years. Florence is the capital of Italy's Tuscany region and is known as the cradle of the Renaissance with an abundance of masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture.
Two hours of upper level undergraduate credit are granted by the University of Kansas upon successful completion of the program.
Credit: BIOL 490 – Internship and Practical Applications (2 credit hours)
This course will consist of lectures, discussion, site visits, and excursions to explore in-depth Italy’s healthcare system.
Participants will stay in conveniently located hotels in Rome (Camplus Hotel Roma Centro) and Florence (Hotel Boccaccio). Rooms are double or triple occupancy with a private bathroom and continental breakfast is included daily. Two group dinners are also included in the cost of the program. A public transportation pass for Rome, train tickets to Florence and chartered roundtrip bus transportation from the airport is also included in the program.
2025 Program Itinerary
Friday, March 14*: Depart for Rome, Italy
Saturday, March 15: Arrive in Rome and transfer to hotel; orientation at the hotel and welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Sunday, March 16: Guided walking tour of Rome including the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Colonna Square, Pantheon and more. The group will also enjoy a guided tour of the Coliseum and visit to the Roman Forum and Palatine.
Monday, March 17:
- Visit to Agenas, the Italian national agency for regional health services, to gain insight into the agency's role in managing and improving the quality and efficiency of Italy's healthcare system.
- Visit a private clinic such as Ospedale San Pietro Fate bene Fratelli or Villa Stuart to have a firsthand look at the Italian healthcare system and its operations.
Tuesday, March 18:
- Visit the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), an intergovernmental organization with 80+ independent research groups in molecular biology. The Italian center specializes in the research fields of epigenetics and neurobiology.
- Visit the Medical Center of Caritas to learn how healthcare is provided for vulnerable populations.
Wednesday, March 19: Travel from Rome to Florence; orientation and walking tour of Florence including the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, the Basilica Santa and more.
Thursday, March 20:
- Visit Hospitex whose labs develop products and patents to bring innovation to the world of diagnostics.
- Visit the Meyer Children's Hospital Florence, a leading public children's hospital in Italy renowned for its advanced medical treatments and comprehensive care for children.
Friday, March 21:
- Visit Santa Maria Nuova Hospital, one of Europe's oldest hospitals, rich with historical significance and architectural beauty. The hospital provides insight into the evolution of medical practices from the medieval period to modern times.
- Free afternoon in Florence.
- Return to Rome.
Saturday, March 22: Guided tour of the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. Enjoy a free afternoon in Rome and then an Italian cooking class and farewell dinner.
Sunday, March 23: Program ends. Transfer to airport.
*Students must request an absence on Friday, March 14 and make necessary arrangements with course instructors to make up work. We recommend talking with course instructors early in the semester.
All program activities and planned visits are tentative and subject to change.
SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.
Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.
Open to undergraduate and graduate students, sophomore level and above, from any accredited US college or university who have a minimum 2.5 GPA.
No prior biology experience or knowledge is required, but priority will be given to students pursuing one of the Molecular Biosciences majors. Priority will be given to current KU students, but students from other colleges and universities will be accepted if space is available.
Dr. Scott Hefty, Professor and Undergraduate Studies Director for the Department of Molecular Biosciences will lead the program. Dr. Hefty has led multiple KU study abroad programs and also directs the Biomedical Research and Public Health in Western Europe program.