Psychology of Health & Wellness in Italy

• Visit Italian institutions to understand how fundamental activites in health and wellness psychology, such as an emphasis on Slow Food culture, are practiced in Italy.
• Attend an Italian opera, engage in cultural activities and tour sites of historical importance in Milan, Verona, and Como.
• Participate in health and wellness activities in Como, a world renowned location for its natural beauty and opportunities for outdoor engagement.
• Interact and network with academics and industry professionals from diverse backgrounds.

Milan, Italy (3 nights) - Milan is the second largest city in Italy with a population of about 1.35 million people. The city is one of Italy's most fashionable cities and one of the richest cities in Europe but it also holds several historic and artistic attractions, including the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, the Last Supper painting, and the famous La Scala Opera House.

Verona, Italy (4 nights) - The city of Verona is located in northern Italy’s Veneto region, with a medieval old town built alongside the Adige River.  It is famous as the setting of the love story Romeo and Juliet. The symbol of the city is the great Roman Arena (Arena di Verona), a huge 1st-century Roman amphitheater which today hosts concerts and large-scale opera performances.

Como, Italy (4 nights) - Located in the Lombardy region, Como is a haven for health and wellness enthusiasts. Surrounded by mountains and tranquil waters, it’s ideal for outdoor yoga, lakeside meditation, and scenic hikes. 

All students on this program will enroll in one of the following courses for the summer 2026 term:

• EPSY 598  Special Course: Health and Wellness Psychology - Italian Style (undergraduate students)
• EPSY 896  Seminar In:  Health and Wellness Psychology - Italian Style (graduate students) 

This course will provide students with the opportunity to study an international applied approach to practices/careers in Health and Wellness Psychology as well as travel and take part in a study abroad experience. Additionally, students will build skills as a professional in the fields of applied practical educational psychology and the specific psychological field of their choice and develop teamwork experiences and practices conducive to international travel for current and future professional engagement in Applied Psychology.

Participants in this program will:

• Read, and interpret research in health and wellness psychology.
• Gain exposure to and an understanding of international approaches to health and wellness psychology.
• Learn and practice fundamental wellness psychology activities.
• Engage in discussion with Italian health and wellness professionals, share ideas with peers, and document their experiences.
• Develop professionally through participation in Italian health and wellness programs and activities and through interaction and networking with industry professionals.

In addition, students enrolled in KU Core 34 can complete the Global Culture goal and earn an additional three hours of course credit by completing the Psychology of Health and Wellness study abroad experience and UNIV 342: Sponsored Educational Experience. UNIV 342 is a 3-credit hour asynchronous course that, when combined with a study abroad experience, satisfies the Global Culture goal of KU Core 34.

Students will be housed in double or triple-occupancy rooms at centrally-located hotels in Milan, Verona, and Como, Italy.  Breakfast will be included daily and several group lunches or dinners will also be provided.

All students have unique things to consider when studying abroad. A Traveler Profile is a set of personal factors, characteristics or life experiences that could impact daily life abroad. Your individual Traveler Profile may include things such as your age, foreign language proficiency, gender, medical history, medication use, mental health, mobility, piercings and tattoos, travel experience, and more. 

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. Before selecting a program, consider how your Traveler Profile 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 Traveler Profile pages linked below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program. 

• Adult Learners and Non-Traditional Students
• First Generation Students
• Physical and Mental Health Histories
• Religious, Spiritual, and Non-Religious Students
• Sexual and Gender Diversity
• Students of Color Abroad
• Students with Children
• Students with Financial Need
• Veterans, Active Duty, and ROTC
• Visible and Invisible Disabilities 

This program is open to all undergraduate or graduate students in the School of Education and Human Sciences or in related academic disciplines.  Minimum 2.5 GPA required.

Program Cost for Psychology of Health and Wellness Program

For more information contact:

Dr. Darrell Phillips
Department of Educational Psychology
University of Kansas
602 J.R. Pearson Hall
1122 West Campus Road
Lawrence, KS 66045
785-864-7268
D.Phillips@ku.edu