Tuscany Campus Main Page
About the Tuscany Campus
Activities in Prato
Housing and Dining in Prato
Tuscany Campus Location and Interactive Map
Tuscany Campus Staff
Tuscany Campus Academic Resources
Tuscany Campus Faculty
Courses Offered at the Tuscany Campus

Activities in Prato

Studying at the Tuscany Campus gives you many opportunities beyond the classroom to learn, explore, grow, and immerse yourself in Italian culture. Volunteering in the community, going on excursions, or a game of soccer with your classmates or some locals could be among the most memorable and meaningful experiences you’ll have abroad.

Prato is a city with a lot to offer. The Tuscany Campus staff joins forces with local organizations to give you the chance to participate in a variety of activities, get to know other students, locals, and maybe even make new friends.

During our weekly conversation exchange, you'll practice your Italian language skills with local students your age. You can also enjoy family dinners in Italian homes. On our guided Friday trips, you’ll have the chance to explore other Tuscan cities, such as Florence, Pisa and Siena, delving into their history and traditions. As a volunteer, you’ll be able to give back to the community, make Italian friends, and cultivate important professional and personal skills.

In every one of these activities, you’ll strengthen each of the core competencies that are essential to prospective job seekers – leadership, critical thinking, communication, resilience, teamwork, and global and cultural Awareness. There is something for everyone on the Tuscany Campus. The Charger Leadership Experience program at the University of New Haven enables students to optimize their experience as students while building skills that are essential for the future. The CLE is designed to instill in all students attributes that employers have identified as essential skills for prospective job seekers.

Contact Study Abroad

Maxcy Hall, Room 113
studyabroad@newhaven.edu

Facebook X Instagram

Apply or Request Info

Co-Curricular Activities

The Tuscany Campus staff partners with local organizations to give you the chance to participate in a variety of activities. Below is a selection of activities from past semesters.

PRATO CAMPUS WEEK

During the spring, the University of New Haven's Tuscany Campus teams up with the Australian Monash University and the Italian PIN – Polo Universitario di Prato – to host a three-day festival dedicated to celebrating Prato as a città universitaria – a university city. Events, activities, music, sports, and lots of delicious food bring students from these three universities as well as the locals together to share in the fun. Typical events over the three days include carnival games in the square, a mock crime scene investigation, a jazz parade through the town, an Australian BBQ, speedy conversation exchange, a 5k fun-run, and a pasta party.

CONVERSATION EXCHANGE

The University of New Haven Tuscany Campus holds weekly language exchanges with local Italian students who are excited to meet you and improve their English. This is the best chance for you to sharpen your language skills and make friends your own age. Your partners usually come from high schools or from PIN, the city's branch of the University of Florence.

Italian Culture Nights

Take a break from studying and have some fun at one of our many "Italian Culture Nights." Learn how to play Tombola (Italian-style Bingo) and Scopa (traditional Italian card game), attend wine and dessert tastings, or check out our Italian movie nights. The Tuscany Campus offers a range of evening activities designed to be both entertaining and culturally enlightening.

Family Dinners

Get to know your Italian neighbors. Families in Prato host dinners for small groups of University of New Haven students, giving you the opportunity to have a home-cooked Italian meal in a family setting, immersing yourself in authentic Italian (and Pratese) culture. For the students who take advantage of this experience, it often ends up becoming one of the most memorable parts of their time studying abroad.

"My Italian family truly gave me an authentic Italian experience. We met initially for one family dinner but that quickly turned into weekly dinners. They took my friends and me in as their own, and we stayed connected throughout the entire semester. They exposed us to an array of different Italian foods, sayings, and gestures that heightened our experience. I am beyond grateful to have met such genuine amazing people who were dedicated to making my time in Italy memorable. I will forever cherish the memories and laughs we shared."
- Oluwaseun Shittu '19

Photography Contest

While studying abroad, we’re sure you’ll go on lots of adventures in Prato, in Italy, and throughout Europe. No doubt you’ll take some breath-taking photographs of those experiences. At the end of the semester, you can submit your best pictures in our photography contest to win great prizes.

Sports Night

Join fellow students and staff on Monday nights for a friendly game of calcio (soccer), basketball, volleyball, or ping-pong at the nearby outdoor sports area. This is a great way to stay fit and make friends with other University of New Haven students. This weekly appointment is an important way for students to get outside for a breath of fresh air.

Hikes

Prato offers much more than its rich historical and cultural city center. Situated along the Bisenzio river at the foot of the Calvana mountain range, it only takes a few minutes of walking through the medieval city walls to find yourself immersed in nature. In early fall and late spring, we take students out on our Friday hikes to explore, get some fresh air and exercise. Come along to the waterfalls of Rio Buti on our beginner hike or challenge yourself to hike to the top of the Calvana mountains for a bird’s eye view of the city below.

Food Culture

Part of the study abroad experience is expanding your palate, and what better way to expand your culinary horizons than to join in one of our food (or beverage!) tastings. Explore Italy's unique coffee-culture (and learn all about the dos and don'ts), learn about local wines from our expert sommelier, or try out some Pratese desserts such as the legendary ‘biscotti di Prato’, the Mantovana cake or the "Prato Peach." One thing is for sure, your taste buds will never get bored!

Volunteering In Prato

At the heart of the Prato Campus is the belief that students should strive to have a positive, useful and ethical impact on their surroundings. While studying in Prato, you’ll have the chance to volunteer with different local organizations like those featured here. They are all transformative and sustainable actions that require a spirit of respect, collaboration and compassion.

Teaching English in Local Schools

While studying in Prato, you’ll also have the chance to volunteer in different local schools teaching English to their students. The schools range from pre-school to high school, and you can choose whether to do just one lesson in a semester, or make a more regular, weekly or bi-weekly commitment. You’ll lead age-appropriate activities and games that help Italian students improve their English and also learn about American culture. This is a great opportunity to develop leadership and communication skills, especially for anyone who is interested in a future career in education.

Special Team Prato

The Special Team Prato is a nonprofit association that works with local individuals with disabilities. Our students play a weekly game of basketball with the members of the Special Team Prato at a nearby middle school. This volunteer opportunity is geared towards students who are interested in breaking down social and cultural barriers and challenging stereotypes through sportsmanship and friendship.

Radio Nocciolina

Ever wanted to hear your voice on the radio? This professional yet laid-back volunteer opportunity offers you the chance to do just that. You don’t need to have previous experience, as you’ll learn all you need to know in the first few meetings. Then, when you and the other volunteers are ready, you’ll be able to go live on air with your own show. Typically students talk about Italian versus American culture, hosting local Italians as guest on the show. And since it is broadcast over the web, listeners from back home can tune in to hear you, too.

Immigration Center

In previous semesters, our students have had the chance to volunteer at a local center for immigrants run by the Santa Rita Foundation. Activities can range from assisting with office duties, teaching language classes, projects for integration into the local community, and organization of holiday events and activities at the center. No matter what specific activity you’ll participate in at the center, you’ll be certain to gain unique insight into the dynamics of the way an immigration center in Italy is run. You’ll also have the chance to meet people from varied walks of life, enhancing your own global and cultural awareness of the world around you.

Women's Shelter

The opportunity to give back to a vulnerable population through empowerment and education can be an extremely valuable experience. Our students who have volunteered at the women’s shelter in previous semesters have taught self-defense classes, dance classes, and language classes, as well as volunteered to play games and sports with the children who were staying at the shelter.

"Pubblica Assistenza" Ambulance Corps

Students with previous experience as paramedics or emergency volunteers have been invited to volunteer for shifts at the local Public Assistance volunteer ambulance corps. This opportunity provides students pursuing a career in this field with a wealth of professional knowledge and international experience.

On-Campus VIP Opportunities

The Tuscany Campus offers a variety of "in-house" volunteer programs aimed at creating a positive campus culture and improving the resources available to all students. Develop your abilities as a leader while teaching your own yoga, Zoomba, or karate (or any other dance/sport) class to fellow students through our Charger Champions program. Passionate about social media? Take over our Instagram and Twitter accounts as a Social Media Ambassador for @UNewHavenPrato. Improve and show off your writing skills as blogger for the Prato Explorers VIP team. There really is something for everyone.

Excursions

The University of New Haven program in Prato provides students with several accompanied educational excursions throughout Tuscany. They are led by instructors such as Dean Murphy who is an art historian, or by professional licensed local guides such as Silvia Risaliti. Each excursion is a structured learning exercise aimed at helping students truly comprehend the cultural, social and artistic significance of the Italian cities in the modern world.

The Tuscany Campus staff coordinates transportation and organizes all entries and tours. Below is a selection of destinations offered in past semesters.

Florence

The trip to Florence brings students to all the historical highlights: Piazza Santa Maria Novella, Medici Chapels and church of San Lorenzo, Piazza del Duomo, Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio, the bronze "Porcellino" fountain and leather market on Piazza del Mercato Nuovo, and Piazza della Repubblica.

Pisa

This excursion focuses on Pisa’s legendary cathedral square (the piazza dei Miracoli) and its monuments: the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the famous Leaning Tower, and the Monumental Churchyard.

The construction of the Leaning Tower of Pisa began in 1174. When builders reached the third story, work ceased for 90 years because it had already started sinking into the ground. We can reach the top of the Leaning Tower by climbing the 294 steps that rise in the form of a spiral inside the tower walls.

We stay for lunch, explore the university district of Pisa (the University of Pisa was founded in 1343), and enjoy some free time before heading back to Prato.

Pistoia

Pistoia is Prato's neighbor and is the perfect location for a half-day trip. We explore the church of Sant'Andrea (with the famous 13th-century pulpit), the Ceppo hospital, town hall, Baptistery, Piazza del Duomo, and Piazza della Sala. Students also have free time to explore.

Lucca

Lucca, just one hour from Prato, is an almost perfectly preserved jewel of medieval architecture and buildings, emanating charm and history from every corner of its narrow and winding streets.

Lucca's huge and entirely intact defensive walls, completely surrounding the ancient city, date back to the 17th century. Now, no longer used for defense, they are crowned by four km of green parkland and are a lovely place to walk, cycle, or stop for a picnic.

In Lucca we explore the city’s cultural and monumental highlights, including the remains of the Roman amphitheater, the church of San Michele in Foro, Piazza Napoleone, the cathedral of San Martino, and the birthplace of the composer Puccini. We also climb to the top of the medieval Guinigi tower to enjoy a breathtaking aerial view of the whole city.

During the trip there's time for lunch, a walk around the top of the walls, and some free time to explore before we head back to Prato.

Siena

The historic center of Siena has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the nation's most visited tourist attractions, famous for its cuisine, art, museums, medieval cityscape, and the Palio, a historic horse race held twice a year.

In Siena, we tour the monuments that best represent the unique cultural and artistic heritage of this Tuscan city, including the Duomo, Palazzo Pubblico, the famous Piazza del Campo, and the Monte dei Paschi di Siena (the world’s oldest bank).

During the trip, there’s also time for lunch and some free time on your own to explore before we head back to Prato.

Poggio A Caiano and Capezzana

This day trip takes us first to the Medici family’s most famous villa Poggio a Caiano, started in 1485 by Lorenzo the Magnificent. Prior to the building of this Renaissance masterpiece, large country dwellings were defensive and fortified.

Built on a quadrangular base around a large central hall, overlooking the surrounding countryside through its classically-inspired facades, the Villa at Poggio was revolutionary. At Lorenzo’s death in 1492, work on the villa was continued by Lorenzo’s second son, Giovanni (then Pope Leo X). Inside the villa we can still see much of the original Renaissance décor and frescos.

After leaving the villa, we head up to the ancient farm of Capezzana on the slopes of the Monte Albano. This estate of 670 hectares, in an area where wine has been produced for more than 2,000 years since Etruscan times, is run by the historic Contini Bonacossi family. The estate comprises a Renaissance villa with adjacent farm, historic cellars, a modern olive mill, and a huge ‘vinsantaia’ (where vin santo is made).

An expert will lead us through the various workspaces and cellars to explain the fascinating process of producing wine and olive oil. We finish the day with dinner on the estate and a chance to taste some of the best Tuscan wine and olive oil.

Figline and Galceti

One of the objectives of this Tuscany Campus excursion is to revisit the history of WWII in Italy. At the village of Figline di Prato, just a few minutes from Prato city centre, on September 6, 1944, the Nazis hanged 29 partisans from the Bogardo Buricchi brigade. Across the street from that spot, at the village's new Museum of Deportation, we go on a symbolic journey through the Nazi concentration camps, examining the objects that were used there. The layout is dark and eerie, inciting visitors to reflect on the atrocities of WWII. There are placards with quotations that offer the oral histories of those deported and their experiences in the concentration camps. Multimedia screens also help to inform visitors. University of New Haven students are fortunate to have a special and very thoughtful tour led by the museum's director herself.

Students also hike to the wonderful Centre for Natural Science in nearby Galceti, where staff maintain a hub of study and research into best environmental practices. The park also includes a natural sciences museum and a natural park with animals roaming free.

Bologna

Just an hour's journey from Prato in the neighboring region of Emilia Romagna, the university city of Bologna is a unique and lively destination. In Italian, Bologna is nicknamed "la dotta, la rossa, la grassa" - or "the educated," as it is home to the oldest university in Europe still operating today; "the red" thanks to the colorful terracotta rooftops which decorate the skyline; and "the fat" in reference to Bologna's rich culinary history and tradition! Our guided visit takes in the oldest parts of the university, the city’s major churches and civic buildings, and the tomb of the great religious reformer Saint Dominic (died 1221).

Frequently Asked Questions

For questions about our Study Abroad program, please see our FAQ page.

General FAQ