The programme is based on three key dimensions: academic training, faith experience, and international cultural development.

In particular, it enables students to:

• develop academic and language skills in English;
• strengthen their identity, faith, and leadership skills;
• gain international experience within a Christian network.

The programme is structured in several phases, before and during the stay in the United States:

 

Before departure:

Team-building sessions led by Prof. don Matteo Tolomelli.

 

13 July 2026:

Optional meeting in Rome Fiumicino and arrival at Dulles Airport, Washington, DC.

 

14–18 July 2026:

Visits to institutions, fireside chats, and an immersive experience in Washington, DC, led by Prof. don Matteo Tolomelli and also tailored to the group’s interests.

Some activities already confirmed include:

• a visit to the Ciocca Center for Principled Entrepreneurship with Prof. Andreas Widmer, Director of the Centre and Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Busch School of Economics;
• a visit to the American Enterprise Institute with Prof. Stan Veuger;
• dinner at the University Club and an informal discussion with some of its members

 

20–31 July 2026:

Attendance of a course in conversational English and American culture, as well as activities related to the faith experience at Georgetown University.

 

31 July 2026:

Transfer by FlixBus to Steubenville, Ohio, to attend the Defending the Faith Conference at the Franciscan University of Steubenville.

 

2 August 2026:

Return to Italy.

 

The schedule may be subject to change.

The programme is open to students from all Faculties of Università Cattolica and is designed for a group of 10 participants.

Students participating in the programme will be awarded:

• 2 CFU as elective credits for students enrolled in the Faculty of Economics and Law;
• 1 CFU as additional credit for international activity for students from all Faculties, provided that this is their first international mobility period within their current degree programme.

A B2 level of English (CEFR) is required to participate in the programme and must be demonstrated in one of the following ways:

 

1. Certification

The following certifications are accepted if obtained from May 2024 onwards:

• B2 First: minimum score 160
• TOEFL iBT: minimum score 65
• IELTS: minimum score 5.5
• Duolingo English Test (DET): minimum score 100

 

2. Cattolica International internal test

Students who do not hold one of the certifications listed above may take the Cattolica International English language test.

• The test is held online and can be booked during the application process.
• Applicants can select the test date directly in the application. It is recommended to choose the earliest available date to avoid places being fully booked.
• The Zoom link to join the test will be sent by email by the day before the test session.
• The test can only be taken once.
• Students who have already taken the Cattolica International internal test for other study abroad programmes from May 2024 onwards, and obtained a valid result, may use their existing result without retaking the test. In this case, they must indicate the date of the test in the application.

 

3. Students enrolled in a degree programme taught in English

Students enrolled in a Università Cattolica degree programme taught entirely in English may access the programme by submitting a self-declaration of enrolment.

The document can be downloaded from the iCatt portal under: Segreteria online - Dichiarazioni sostitutive di certificazioni - Iscrizione con piano di studi.

For scholarship ranking purposes, a B2.2 level will be automatically assigned.

 

Once selected, participants may also be required to take an online placement test requested by Georgetown University.

To complete the application, applicants must:

• upload a motivation letter of up to 500 words;
• attend a short interview with a Pastoral Advisor from the Centro Pastorale, held after the application deadline, to assess their motivation and alignment with the spirit of the project.

Participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodation.

As a guide, the following options are available:

• accommodation for 4 female students at Centro Maria, 650 Jackson St. NE, Washington, DC 20017;
• accommodation for 5–6 students arranged independently, provided it is located in the Brookland area, near St. Anthony’s Parish.

 

For further information, students may contact Prof. Tolomelli at matteo.tolomelli@unicatt.it.

After the application deadline, participants will be able to coordinate among themselves with the support of the professor.

The participation fee is € 500.

The fee is based on a group of 10 students. In the event of a higher number of participants, and subject to an assessment of the applicants’ motivation by the Centro Pastorale, Cattolica International reserves the right to review the financial conditions.

 

The fee includes:

• orientation and support during the application process;
• insurance coverage, emergency number, and Student Safety Package;
• pre-departure preparatory activities led by Prof. Tolomelli;
• pre-departure assistance;
• tutoring during the mobility period abroad led by Prof. Tolomelli;
• teaching materials;
• attendance of a course in conversational English and American culture, as well as activities related to the faith experience at Georgetown University;
• support upon return for credit recognition procedures;
• final self-assessment session “Welcome Back: unpack your experience!”, organised by Cattolica International.

 

The fee does not include:

• return flight;
• ESTA authorisation fee (approximately USD 40) or any visa costs;
• meals and accommodation;
• transfer to Steubenville, Ohio;
• participation fee for the Youth Conference at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, OH (USD 150), accommodation and meals during the conference (USD 188), for a total of USD 338;
• anything not expressly specified.

Università Cattolica offers 10 scholarships of € 200 each.

 

How scholarships are awarded and how to apply

• Scholarships will be awarded to selected students by the Pastoral Advisor, based on the motivation letter, interview, and academic merit*, and will be paid as a reimbursement.
• No separate application is required: students only need to apply for the programme.
• Priority will be given first to students and then to recent graduates.

 

* For students holding qualifications obtained outside Italy, if no grade conversion has already been recorded in their academic record at Università Cattolica, a default score of 80/100 for the secondary school diploma and 90/110 for the Bachelor’s degree will be assigned.

Students must hold a valid passport. If not, they are advised to apply for one as soon as possible.

Selected students will be required to apply for an ESTA.

Students holding a nationality other than Italian must check their eligibility to apply. If they are not eligible, they must inform Cattolica International, which will confirm with Georgetown University the appropriate visa type needed.

The ESTA application, or any visa application, can only be submitted after admission to the programme. More detailed information will be provided after the application deadline.

 

Useful links

• Viaggiare Sicuri
• ESTA
• Embassy and Consulates of the United States of America in Italy

All participants will be covered by Università Cattolica’s “Student Safety Package” insurance policy.

Find out more

For further information, students may contact:

Professor don Matteo Tolomelli
matteo.tolomelli@unicatt.it