Villanova/Rosemont Summer Program in Italy
Lauren Wilson ’02

Dr. George Radan, founder and co-director of the Villanova/Rosemont Summer Program in Italy, first fell in love with Italy as a young boy.  Born in Budapest during the Russian occupation, he escaped from Vienna to Italy.  He boarded a train bound for the Italian Riviera and fell asleep.  When he awoke he thought he was in heaven. Dr. Radan describes Italy as a place where "the beauty is all around you" and where "you open a window and there before you is a picture."  Many years later, and after 30 successful years of leading student tours to Italy, that country remains Dr. Radan's passion.

As the Villanova/Rosemont Summer Program in Italy celebrates its 30^th anniversary Dr. Radan reflected on all it has achieved. It marked two firsts for the University: It was the first foreign program for students and the first joint effort with Rosemont College. Over the years it has grown from 12 students to 67, and in 1998 was the largest program of its kind in Italy. The program has consistently been rated as one of the finest foreign programs in Italy from the United States.

What makes this program so special? Dr. Radan feels the program offers a level of intimacy not seen elsewhere. Students and professors live together in their own hotel in Siena, where the program is based. They share meals and tour Italy together, professors often “lecture on wheels” as the group tours to different sites. The professors themselves are selected and tested by Villanova University and Rosemont College and have a minimum of 15 years experience in Italy. The only exception is the Art Restoration course, which no other program in Italy offers, taught by an Italian professor from the University of Siena. First offered in 1998, this course provides unparalleled opportunities for students to gain experience in the field. Another event offered only by this program is an evening at a medieval castle rented by the program complete with period food, costumed servers and an orchestra.

With 30 years of experience the program continues to grow and improve, the next 30 years can only be better.

To obtain more information visit the history department, or contact Dr. George Radan by phone at 96997, or by e-mail at george.radan@villanova.edu