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Classics Abroad Padua

Next course:

*2025 Dates TBC* (Join the MOON Letter for updates)

Overview

A unique language and culture course in the heart of the oldest city in Northern Italy. Learn Italian or Latin each morning and study the transmission of classical antiquity each afternoon by immersing yourself in the history, literature, religion, science and art of this ancient and intellectual city. This is not a tour, it's a classical learning curve!

What's the link between Classics and Padua?

Not only does Padua have its own classical history (more ancient than Ancient Rome itself...) but it was also a cultural centre for humanism and the revival of classical ideas, images and texts for centuries. What can we learn from Padua's classical authors? What role did the Veneto region play in the "rebirth" of antiquity during the Renaissance? How was myth translated into art? On Classics Abroad, you'll gain a clear insight into the history-making process and transform your approach to researching the past. 

Article: 5 Things every Classics student should know about Padua

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A Typical Day 

9 - 12.30     Language & Culture seminars

  • Beginners Latin or Italian in small groups

  • Classics & Christianity: Helen and Eve

  • Medicine from Antiquity to the Renaissance

12.30 - 2     Lunch break 

2 - 4             Outings

  • Basilica of Sant'Antonio & Scrovegni Chapel

5+                Cultural Programme (optional)

About Padua

Follow in the footsteps of great thinkers, writers and artists who have lived and learned in Padua. Galileo Galilei described his years in Padua as the "happiest in his life" - a city of water, rich in canals like Venice and second only to Bologna with its porticos, Padua is home to one of the oldest universities in the world and many hidden treasures of classical and Christian art. Be prepared to be inspired with likeminded people, in a classical education off the beaten track. 

Cultural Programme

After our afternoon seminars and site visits, students can continue to situate their language and culture studies in context by joining optional and suggested evening events on our Cultural Programme. On Classics Abroad Padua this may include music and theatre events, exclusive tours of beautiful locations and spritz & cicchetti socials. Included in the course fee is a day trip to Venice! 

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What's Included?*

  • Full timetable of beginners Italian or Latin lessons (2 hours) and cultural seminars (1 - 2 hours) each morning and special outings to sites each afternoon which explore the links between classical antiquity and Padua with a strong focus on primary sources across history, literature,  art, spirituality, science & more! 

  • Tickets to several museums, palaces, towers and churches throughout the week to see what you have been studying up-close. 

  • Cultural Programme of optional evening events such as walking tours, live music recitals, exhibitions and spritz socials.

  • Exclusive tours of special sites, usually closed to the public. 

  • A group trip to Venice, including transport. 

  • 3 groups meals. 

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*Flights, accommodation and meals except those listed are not included. Students must be 18 years old at the time of travel. 

Fees & How to Apply 

Full Course: From £895

Application status: Closed

When applications open for any course, we share this news first with the Waitlist. Places are limited and applications will be responded to on a first come, first served basis. Travel bursaries available for students in financial need.

Accommodation 

Padua boasts a wide range of accommodation options to suit every budget within walking distance of our classroom. Students on Classics Abroad Padua will benefit from discounted rates with our accommodation partner, Camera Tua, in central Padua. We can also put students in touch with each other in advance with a view to sharing accommodation for the course duration. 

Feedback from our Classics Abroad students....

In Florence

"A beautiful and thorough exploration into the Classical world.
Learnt so much and had such an amazing experience, meeting new people and seeing new places."- CA 2023 Student

"It was a very enjoyable experience with a variety of fun activities and interesting seminars. 10/10!"- CA 2023 Student 

"Classics Abroad was an amazing experience for me! I would really recommend anyone with a historical curiosity to participate, not only to learn but also to travel the city." - CA 2022 Student 

I thought it offered a truly fascinating insight into Florence’s classical, medieval and renaissance history in a fun, accessible way.
The people were lovely and the location perfect." - CA 2019 Student

"Fantastic experience, would definitely do the same or something similar again!" - CA 2019 Student

"A superb way to see Florence that built on the material I've been covering at uni, demonstrating in the stone and paint of the Renaissance masterpieces the continuous link between the ancient and modern worlds."
- Matthew, CA 2019 Student


"An amazing trip, would recommend to anyone."
- CA 2019 Student


Online


"I absolutely loved the online classics course this year! It opened up a whole new discipline for me to explore and I can’t wait to learn more! Thanks for a great week!" - CA 2020 Student

"A fascinating, rewarding course with passionate and remarkably insightful and engaging lecturers. On the whole, really well-adapted to an online format. It always felt rooted in a love of Florence, despite the distance. I would recommend to anyone at all interested in Renaissance Italy or Ancient Rome" - CA 2020 Student

"The course was engaging and fascinating from start to finish. Every session was presented by an expert who brought their subject to life, all the more impressive as it was online. I would highly recommend this course."
- CA 2020 Student


"I am absolutely blown away by how much information I received during this course. It feels like so many more doors have been opened for me to explore, and thanks to Florence and the team my appetite for the Classics has increased tremendously! Each day felt like a brand new experience, and I left every session having learnt at least five things I didn't know before. If you want an entirely new perspective on the Classics and what it means to be a historian, I couldn't recommend this course more."
- Erin, CA 2021 Student


"The Forte Academy programme offered a perfect variety of content that both challenged and expanded my knowledge of the Renaissance and how we tackle the Classical Canon - both what we can learn from it and how we can challenge it. The plethora of primary sources ranged from art to poetry to letters and really painted the picture of the Florentine past, I highly recommend."
- CA 2021 Student

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