Ancient building at AgrigentoVisiting and studying ancient sites and monuments is an important part of the study of antiquity. Opportunities to climb the steps of the Parthenon on the Athenian acropolis and experience the vast interior of the dome of the Pantheon in Rome while earning college credit are priceless.

CU Classics works closely with the Office of International Education to develop and provide education abroad programs for our students. The Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome (ICCS) offers an excellent, highly competitive one-semester program every fall and spring, usually taken in the junior year. College Year in Athens (CYA) offers an equally solid program in Greece that, despite its name, can be organized in semester, summer or year-long courses of study. Both ICCS and CYA are CU equivalency programs: any courses taken at either program automatically transfer for credit at CU and any financial aid offered by CU automatically transfers to these programs. To apply for either program, students must check both with the Undergraduate Faculty Advisor and the Office of International Education.

During the summer there are more education abroad options, among them the outstanding Summer Sessions of the American School of Classical Studies in Athens and the Summer School of the American Academy in Rome. For students interested in classical archaeology, a listing of fieldwork opportunities available worldwide is published annually by the Archaeological Institute of America. We receive announcements for all these programs, and if you are interested, you should check our bulletin boards and consult the faculty so that we can help you incorporate experience abroad into your program.  Find out more on Education Abroad in Greece.

The Paideia Institute offers “Living Latin” in Rome, a continuous, intensive period of study in Latin. Students read selections of some of the most important works of Latin literature, from the classical period through the Renaissance to the modern era. Each work is linked to a particular monument or site that the class visits on scheduled site visits. Informal conversations in Latin and weekend trips outside Rome are included in the five-week course. Housing is provided by the Institute. 

The Paideia Institute also offers “Living Latin” in Paris (with a focus on medieval texts), and “Living Greek” in Greece. 

Paideia programs, none of which are available for academic credit, include:   

Contact: info@paideiainstitute.org 

Those interested in paper and art restoration may wish to consider the programs offered by Amelia International Conservation Studies or by San Gemini Preservation Studies (neither is pre-approved for CU transfer credit).

CU Classics strongly encourages students to spend time studying in Italy or Greece. Whether you are interested in language, literature, history, philosophy, or material culture, study of the ancient cultures overseas will add depth to your experience of classical studies. Financial support is available to majors through the generosity of Classics alumna Ann Nichols.

For more information about education abroad opportunities in Classics, contact our Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies.