The International Office info sessions
The International Office holds weekly infosessions where you can ask for any information you need. You should definitely attend an info-session if you are seriously interested in applying for a Summer Programme.  
Check for dates of upcoming info sessions.

Student Ambassadors 
Student Ambassadors are Cattolica students who have already taken part in a Summer Programme. They may take part in the International Office infosessions and with their first-hand experience, they will be able to answer questions you have. You may also want to follow up with them later to clear up any queries you have. Their objective is to help you get a clear picture of the programmes by recounting their experience and sharing what they know, so you can then choose a summer programme that suits you best. And when you have chosen a destination, they are also the best people to advise you how to prepare and tell you what to expect, since they have been through this experience firsthand. 

Questions you might have:

• What is campus life like at that specific university?
• How hard is a particular exam? 
• How much time will I need to spend studying?
• What are the professors like? 
• What should I be sure not to miss while I’m there? 
• Places worth visiting?
• What to pack?

Ask yourself what your priorities are
What do you want from this experience? The answer to this question will make it easier to know what the right Summer Programme will be for you. Is it about credits being approved by your faculty? Make sure that your faculty will approve the credits for the course you’re interested in. Or maybe the type of course you’ll be attending is more important. In that case, take time to go through the university’s academic offer to find a course that suits you. Or perhaps travelling abroad is the most important part of the experience. If so, check all the different destinations and work out which university would be the best choice and which city or destination attracts you the most.

Destination 
The list of destinations covers a large number of prestigious universities. Università Cattolica guarantees high standards of academic quality for all destinations involved. However, courses will vary depending on the university, and you overall experience will differ depending on the destination you choose.

One of the first questions to ask yourself should be whether to choose a university in the US or in Europe. 
The most popular destinations among students are the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). 

The full list of universities and courses is available on their dedicated webpages. 

Europe vs. United States 
There are some aspects to bear in mind when deciding between a university in Europe and one in the United States. First of all, campus life in the US can be more intense that we experience it in Italy. In Europe, accommodation is generally located near the campus rather than within it. Universities in the US you will have access to a wide range of facilities, especially for sports activities.  

Secondly, a common misconception is that students study less in the United States. However, although the European model consists of more class hours, this does not mean that the study load increases accordingly. The effort required to pass an exam will be the same. The only difference is how your day will be structured. Basically, the European model means that you spend more time in class.
Overall, one option is no better than the other. It all comes down to personal preference, and a specific university may be more important to you than the destination itself. And don’t forget that student ambassadors can be a source of useful information to help you get a feel of what to expect from time spent at a specific university.

The "virtual" option
What if you prefer to stay at home but don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to study at an international university this summer? Check the list of destinations to see which ones offer online courses! 

Duration 
Depending on the course, the duration of a summer programme varies between 2 and 8 weeks and take place in July and August. 
Three things to consider regarding the shorter duration of 2-4 weeks:

• It can give you a taste of what it means to study abroad, maybe before deciding on a longer experience in the future. 
• The study will be more concentrated so a greater pace will be maintained throughout. 
• There won’t be very much time available to visit other areas of the country you are in. A longer experience will give you the opportunity to organise several weekends away from campus. If your goal is to combine studying with discovering new places, it might be worth opting for a minimum stay of 4 weeks.

The Summer Programmes are your opportunity to study abroad during the summer at a top-ranked prestigious university in Europe or the United States. The programmes run from 2 to 8 weeks depending on the university and the course you choose. One advantage of these programmes is that credits obtained abroad can be recognised in Cattolica.   

Summer programmes are NOT language courses

A common misconception is that the main purpose of a summer programme is to learn or improve your knowledge of a language, but this is not the aim of the Summer Programmes. That would be the goal of a language course. Summer programmes are designed to give you an academic experience at an international campus. You choose your course, study together with local students and take exams. Since all destinations are English speaking, you will be required to demonstrate a specific level of English before departure. Detailed information about this can be found later in this guide under "What are the requirements for enrolling on a summer programme?").

Summer programmes are NOT necessarily limited to your Faculty courses 

You can select any course offered by the various universities if you meet the prerequisites for application (see the detailed information under "What are the requirements for enrolling on a summer programme?"). You can choose a course that fits your study plan, with the possibility of your credits abroad being recognised in Cattolica, or choose a course based on your other interests! This could be an opportunity to delve into a topic that you have always been curious about but that you have never studied before. 

Student grants are NOT out of the question 

Another common misconception is that there are very few study grants available, but there is a good distribution of grants covering the various destinations. When deciding on whether to apply for a summer programme, bear in mind that there is a real possibility of being awarded a grant. When you apply for a summer programme you will automatically be included in the ranking for possible assignment of a study grant. 

Summer programmes are NOT just a holiday 

Going abroad is a fantastic experience, as is living on campus where you can build friendships with students from all over the world. However, it must be emphasised that this experience abroad is not simply a holiday: you will be studying and taking exams. You will be immersed in the world of top-ranked universities and if you do so with the right mindset, i.e. if you are determined to get the most out of the experience, you will undoubtedly undergo great personal growth. This memory of your Summer Programme will stay with your forever. Make sure that memory is a good one!

Your future job prospects 
A summer programme may last just one summer, but it will provide great advantages for the future. You will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of soft skills, such as time management, problem-solving, teamwork, interpersonal skills, and intercultural understanding – all skills that are fundamental in enhancing your professional prospects, whatever field of work you may move into.

You will become part of an alumni network
Your international experience will not finish when the Summer Programme ends.  One advantage with the most impact is that you will become part of a network of fellow students from all around the world and professors. Even if your programme at the partner university lasts just three weeks, you will still become part of their alumni network. 

We stay in touch 
Following on closely from the previous point is the possibility of ongoing contact with colleagues and professors, which will enrich your personal and professional network. Making a good impression and starting out on the right foot can prove to be much more useful than you might imagine. The professors listen to their students and very willing to support and assist them, even after the programme ends. Very often they are willing to write references for future employers.

Applications are open between January and April, with precise dates depending on the destination university. Check the site for the exact dates for your preferred destination.

• You will need to demonstrate a good level of English. If you have a certificate obtained after May 2020, you can upload a copy to your application. NB Certificates and minimum grade requirements may vary depending on the destination so check the website for the prerequisites for your preferred destination. 
   
• If you don’t have a certificate, you can take the Cattolica International English test. Book your test during the application process. 
   
• Read further detailed information here regarding requirements for applications for Summer Programmes.

1. You should go along to an infosession to find out about the programmes. 
    
2. Check through the destinations and decide which programme would best suit you.
    
3. Read through the instructions to apply for the courses to be approved for your study plan and for credits to be approved. 
    
4. Complete your application.
    
5. During the application process you will be asked to pay an application fee and to upload your English language certificate or book a language test. NB Your Summer Programme application automatically submits a further application for possible financial support for the programme in the form of a scholarship.   
    
6. Relax and wait for confirmation of admission to your course!
    
7. Start packing your bags!
    

The International Office staff is there for you from start to finish. We will provide you with support and a personalised customer service, both pre- and post-departure. We will keep in touch with you and make sure that you have everything you need. We will help you not only with academic issues, but also with dealing with cultural differences and coping with any homesickness you may experience. We want you to be 100% satisfied with your choice of destination.

The office has an open door policy – there are many ways to contact us.  

• During the infosessions
• Via Microsoft Teams
• By email: info.outbound@unicatt.it
• Instagram Direct: https:///www.instagram.com/cattolica.international/
• Pre-departure orientation sessions
• 24/7 emergency number that you can use while on your Summer Programme 
• Student Safety Check dApp

You have now reached the end of this manual! We hope it helped you to get information to be able to choose the Summer Programme that best suits you. The benefits you gain from this international experience will extend far beyond the programme itself and you will certainly feel enormous satisfaction in achieving this goal. 

So, after this summer, when someone asks you about the last time you did something for the first time, your answer will be very different.