Picture yourself in Italy
Experience a unique opportunity to learn alongside faculty, researchers, and physicians in the pathology and biotechnology lab at the Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, and observe clinical work in the Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences at the University of Siena.
Expand upon each of the links below to view more details about this program.
This is an intensive program during which you will be engaged in observing research, attending lectures and lab activities, and participating in guided visits to Italian hospitals or labs on a full-time basis, generally from 9 am-5 pm, four to five days a week.
The educational program is dedicated to the learning of:
You will be provided a tentative program schedule prior to departure. Due to the fluid nature of the research and medical environment, the schedule will be amended to accommodate learning opportunities that arise during the duration of the program.
English. Italian language background is not required (but useful), and non-credit survival Italian instruction is provided on-site.
3-credits
Biology 3364 (Theory and Applications of Cancer Biology); must have the appropriate pre-requisites.
Siena is a city of approximately 50,000 residents, located in the heart of Tuscany.
Six weeks: Mid-June through late July
Departure from U.S. | June 15 |
| Arrival in Italy | June 16 |
| Orientation | June 16-20 |
| Hospital/Research/Clinical Placements | June 23-July 30 |
| Last night in housing | July 30 |
| Program ends | July 31 |
Do not use the above dates to book your flight, as they are tentative and subject to change. Accepted students will receive confirmed program dates and flight booking guidelines from Education Abroad before making travel plans.
Program participants are required to be present for the entire length of the program, from the official arrival date through the program end date.
Housing type: shared apartments
Our on-site partner, IES Abroad, arranges student housing in shared apartment accommodations in the city center. The apartments are typically shared by 2-6 students; each apartment includes a shared bedroom(s) and fully equipped kitchen and is a short bus ride to the hospital where the laboratory is located and typically walking distance to the IES Abroad Center.
The program is founded and facilitated by Dr. Antonio Giordano, MD, PhD, Temple University professor and Director of Sbarro Health Research Organization, in collaboration with the Unit of Radiation Oncology at the University Hospital of Siena.
Dr. Marcella Barbarino, Biomedical Technologies and Molecular Oncology Lab Manager, oversees and coordinates the academic program on-site in Siena. Throughout the program, participants will also meet and learn from several faculty, researchers, and practicing physicians at the University of Siena.
You will have access to 24/7 on-site support from the IES Abroad Siena Center for this program. The IES Siena Center is an actual palace located on the city’s most famous plaza called the Piazza del Campo. The palace, called Palazzo Chigi Zondadari, was built in the 18th century and served as a home to many notable people. The Center includes classrooms, a student lounge and library, computer lab, and wireless internet access.
Students will pay a non-refundable program deposit of $400 within 2 weeks of acceptance to the program, or 2 weeks after the application deadline, whichever is earlier. This non-refundable deposit is credited to your program fees as a prepayment.
Temple students pay their usual per-credit rate by school/college and residency.
Non-Temple students pay the non-matriculated student rate based on residency. For the 2024-25 academic year, PA residents are charged $786 per credit and non-PA residents are charged $1,413 per credit. *Non-Temple students: your program costs may vary depending on your home institution's billing model. Please check with your study abroad office about your school's billing policies.
All students pay:
For complete details about billable costs and estimate for non-billable expenses, such as airfare, meals, and personal expenses, view the program cost sheet.
Education Abroad offers competitive, need-based scholarships for this program. Learn more about scholarships and financial aid.
Staying healthy and safe abroad requires good planning and strong support. Review our health and safety page for important steps to preparing for study abroad, and details about international travel medical insurance and assistance provided by Temple.
In Italy, quality medical care is available, as well as teletherapy. Water and sun safety are especially important during your summer abroad.
Temple programs are open to qualified students matriculated at any U.S. or Canadian college or university.
You are eligible to apply if you meet the following requirements.
You meet minimum cumulative GPA requirement from all colleges/universities attended. As of May 2025, the GPA requirement for most programs is 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Exceptions include:
You remain in good academic standing from the time of application until the start of your term abroad; students on academic warning are not eligible to participate.
You will need a passport, valid well beyond the length of your program, by the application deadline.
View deadlines and validity requirements for your host country.
You must be in good disciplinary standing at the time of application and remain so through the start of your term abroad. Students who have been found responsible for a code of conduct violation and will not be in good disciplinary standing (including disciplinary probation) may submit a petition for review.
You are at least 18 years old at the time of application.
For Temple in Siena, the following additional considerations apply:
The standard application requirements pertain to all students applying to Temple programs.
For Temple in Italy - Siena, there are no additional application requirements.
The memories you make while studying abroad will stay with you for a lifetime, so cherish every moment you have!
Don't miss your chance to study abroad!
