Italy
Italy, the cradle of modern Western civilization, is as perfect a place to study as anywhere in the world. From its ancient history to its exciting present, the boot in the Mediterranean provides everything the visiting student could ever want. In fact, the name Mediterranean is derived from two Latin words: medius, meaning "middle," and terra, or earth. The Mediterranean, therefore, is so named because it was thought to exist at the middle of the world. Modern students could be forgiven for thinking the same thing of Italy.
The history of Italy goes back thousands of years, but it was with the ancient Romans that this land made its first and biggest impression on the world. The most lasting gift they gave the world, of course, is the Latin language. This tongue, eloquently written by the likes of Cicero and Plutarch and colloquially spoken by the hoi polloi, has given rise to some of the most important modern languages, including Spanish, French, and Italian, among many others.
But beyond that, and just as importantly, Italy drew the Western world out of the Dark Ages and ushered it into the modern world through the Renaissance, which literally means "rebirth." And, indeed, the Western world was reborn on this peninsular strip of land, through the works of such luminaries as da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Botticelli. In fact, the greatest works of these masters are still displayed in Italy to this day.
Modern Italy is an exciting and complicated place: The interplay of the ancient and the modern is evident on every street, especially in the major cities: Rome, Florence, and Venice are famous for the coexistence of their ancient monuments and modern buildings.
Italys political life is notably volatile, but the presidency of Silvio Berlusconi has lasted longer than any other of the modern era. As a result, a real sense of stability has been brought to the politics of this important player on the world stage.
But it is for its culture that Italy is most well-known and beloved throughout the world. Houses of high fashion like Prada and Gucci clothe some of the most elegant and famous people in the world. Musicians like Paolo Conte and Lucio Dalla cause heads to groove everywhere from Milan to Minneapolis. And, of course, there is the food, which is considered by many to be the best in the entire world, regardless of whether its fine dining or more basic fare at the local trattoria.
Students are drawn to the city for many reasons, though one of the major ones is the fact that education in Italy does not just take place in the classroom: It is lived, as well. Studying the history of Western art is one thing; visiting Michelangelos David at its home in the Accademia in Florence is quite another. So whether you intend to study sculpture, literature, religion, philosophy, or anything in between, attending college in Italy is sure to put it all into a whole new perspective, and to enrich your life in ways you never thought possible.
