Data and Computer Sciences and Italian in Pavia, Italy
Tufts Global Education, in conjunction with the School of Engineering and the Program of Italian Studies, operates a 5-week program in Pavia, Italy, aimed at providing students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the wonderful culture of Italy while earning credits in Data or Computer Science. This program is designed for all students with an interest in Computer Science and an eagerness to learn about Italy, with its rich history and culture. No background in Italian language or Computer Science is needed.
Pavia, Italy
Pavia, a charming city nestled in northern Italy, is situated just 30 kilometers south of Milan, easily accessible within 30 minutes by train. It is a treasure trove of art and culture, boasting several world-renowned churches and museums, such as the iconic Certosa of Pavia. With its roots tracing back to pre-Roman times, Pavia is celebrated for its rich history and fine cuisine, including the world-famous wines from the Oltrepò hills, mouthwatering cheeses, and the traditional risotto alla Certosina.
This culturally vibrant town offers numerous opportunities for social interaction and entertainment, with four theaters and cinemas, twenty-two libraries, nineteen museums, and two cultural centers. Its location is the ideal hub for venturing around Italy and Europe. Pavia is just an hour and a half away by flight from cities like London and Paris, and a mere five-hour train ride from the breathtaking Sorrento and Amalfi coast in southern Italy. Sports enthusiasts will find a wide range of courses, championships, tournaments, and pools available throughout the summer through the University Sports Centre (CUS).
Academics
Students enroll in two courses—one course in either Computer or Data Science and one course in Italian language or culture—and earn a total of 6 Tufts credits/SHUs. All courses are taught by University of Pavia professors.
Prerequisites
This program is open to Tufts and non-Tufts undergraduates who are in good academic and disciplinary standing and who have a genuine interest in Data Science, Computer Science, and Italian culture. No prior Italian language nor Computer or Data Science classes required.
Non-Tufts students must have a minimum 2.75 GPA.
University of Pavia
Founded in 1361, the University of Pavia (UNIPV) is one of the world’s oldest academic institutions. Much like the revered institutions of Oxford and Cambridge in the UK, the University of Pavia is structured using a college system, dating back to the 16th century, and is nestled within an enchanting historic campus.
UNIPV has achieved notable recognition in various QS rankings. It ranked within the top 550 institutions globally in the QS World University Rankings® 2015/16. UNIPV is particularly competitive in the fields of linguistics, civil and structural engineering, pharmacology, life sciences, and medicine, as highlighted by the QS World University Rankings by Subject in 2016.
Comprised of 20 colleges, each with a unique history and distinct opportunities, UNIPV is an open community where academic achievement, traditions, celebrations, and sporting rivalries all have their place.
Initially established with a focus on law, humanities, and medicine, the University of Pavia has evolved to offer a selection of 83 courses spanning various disciplines, including: Communications, Economics, Engineering and Architecture, Health Professions, Languages, Law, Literature, Mathematics, Medicine, Musicology, Natural Sciences, Pharmacology, Philosophy, Physics, Political Sciences, Psychology, and Sports Sciences.
Courses
Computer Science and Data Science Courses
Students choose one of two Computer and Data Science courses offered by the University of Pavia. Both courses have been designed and approved by Tufts Engineering and Computer Science faculty.
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COMP 10 Programming Fundamentals: This course is an introduction to computer science designed to prepare students for CS11 and future CS coursework. In this class, you'll learn core programming concepts like conditionals, variables, and loops, and use these concepts to solve problems. This course is taught in the Python programming language.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate mastery of core concepts like variables, conditionals, loops, and functions.
- Interpret a problem statement in English and use computational thinking to produce a solution in Python.
- Assess a Python program's functional and stylistic correctness.
Prerequisites: No previous CS experience required. Note: CS10 is for students with minimal prior programming experience. If you have programmed before, you may want to take the CS10 exemption exam and go straight to CS11.
COMP 131 Artificial Intelligence: This course is an introductory survey of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It will cover AI's history, theory, and computational methods. Basic concepts include the representation of knowledge and computational methods for reasoning.
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
- Identify the major classical and modern AI paradigms and explain how they relate to each other.
- Analyze the structure of a given problem such that they can choose an appropriate paradigm in which to frame that problem.
- Implement a wide variety of both classical and modern AI algorithms.
Prerequisites: Some programming experience required in addition to: 1) CS 15, and; 2) CS/MATH 61 or MATH 65 by the end of the spring 2025 semester.
Italian Language Courses
All students will be required to take one Italian language course. The Italian language program at Tufts, in cooperation with the University of Pavia, has designed the two options, Italian 001 and Italian 003, for students in this program.
Students with a level of Italian higher than Italian 003 should inquire about the possibility of either smaller classes or an independent study. Students who have completed their language requirement in Italian (Italian 22) would enroll in an Italian culture course, if approved. This special course would be designed by the Italian language program at Tufts in cooperation with the University of Pavia. Like the other language courses, it will aim to advance the student’s language skills, develop their cross-cultural awareness, and foster their intercultural competence. The availability of Italian sections will be confirmed upon program acceptance.
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- Italian 001: Development of basic language skills. Introduction to Italian culture and fundamental grammar structures with emphasis on speaking, listening comprehension, and short writing assignments. Conducted in Italian. Prerequisites: None; however, enrollment in Italian 10 during the spring semester is encouraged.
- Italian 003: This course continues the study of grammar and vocabulary and presents a more in-depth examination/analysis of previously studied structures. Italian culture presented through short authentic readings on cultural, social and literary topics, and the viewing of an epic film in episodes. Culture-based class discussions and activities. Conducted in Italian. Prerequisite: Italian 002 or consent. Students are required to register for a recitation section that consists of a weekly 40-minute conversation group.
Students with a level of Italian higher than Italian 003 should inquire about the possibility of either smaller classes or an independent study. Students who have completed their language requirement in Italian (Italian 22) would enroll in an Italian culture course if approved. These special courses would be designed by the Italian language program at Tufts in cooperation with the University of Pavia. Like the other language courses, they will aim to advance the student’s language skills, develop their cross-cultural awareness and foster their intercultural competences. The availability of Italian sections will be confirmed upon program acceptance.
- Italian 001: Development of basic language skills. Introduction to Italian culture and fundamental grammar structures with emphasis on speaking, listening comprehension, and short writing assignments. Conducted in Italian. Prerequisites: None; however, enrollment in Italian 10 during the spring semester is encouraged.
Student Life
Orientation
Students will attend a mandatory pre-departure session in the spring semester preceding the summer program. The Program Leader and University of Pavia staff will provide an onsite orientation and welcome activities upon arrival in Pavia.
Housing and Meals
Students will live close to campus at the Palazzo Vistarino, a rare example of baroque art in the Lombardy region. This historical 18th-century building, once the residence of a local noble family, is adorned with breathtaking frescoes and golden decorations throughout its rooms. It features spaces dedicated to music, reading, and conversation, as well as a park, scenic views, and a private chapel. Now owned by the University of Pavia, it serves as a venue for conferences and provides guest accommodations for student groups and other visitors.
Breakfast is included daily, and lunch is included Monday–Friday. Students are responsible for dinner and evening meals.
Co-curricular Activities
The program offers mandatory weekly field trips and cultural excursions to all the students. Weekly cultural activities are designed to engage students in the unique history of Pavia and Italy, broaden their knowledge of the territory and its uniqueness, while complementing the topics studied in the language classes.
Activities in 2025 included:
- Program Orientation and Walking Tour of Pavia.
- Guided Tour of Pavia (history, art, food, etc.) with final "Aperitivo."
- Contemporary Milan and its Architecture
- Visit to the city of Parma and to Emilio Reggiana for a visit to a Parmesan cheese factory. Included transportation, tour guide, and a light lunch.
- Visit Modena and Maranello (Ferrari Museum)
- Guided 3-day Trip to the National Park of Le Cinque Terre, in the Liguria region. Included transportation, some meals, activities that provided students multiple options to explore the National Park, and tour guide.
- Free Weekend for personal exploration within Italy
Activities may be modified for summer 2026 and will be confirmed upon acceptance. All planned activities are a required cultural component of the program and are included in the cost of attendance, with the exclusion of the Free Weekend.
Mentor Support
Living with the students will be a local “Tutor” or mentor that will be assigned by the University of Pavia. They will provide helpful advice on how to adjust to Pavia and the program. They also will attend the field trips and activities that occur during the course of the program to assist students and facilitate the many aspects of their experience abroad.
Program Staff
Students will be accompanied by a Tufts Program Leader throughout the entire duration of the program. The Program Leader will help students navigate the town, address all students’ concerns and issues, ensure the academic rigor of the program, and will act as liaison between Tufts administration and the University of Pavia while there.
Student Perspectives
I have always wanted to study abroad, but as a student in the school of engineering it was difficult to fit a study abroad program into my schedule. Tufts in Pavia was perfect for me because I was able to fulfill the CS11 requirement for my degree, as well as have the chance to study abroad.
Summer 2022 Participant
“It was perfect for engineers to learn a new language and really have an experience outside of a lab or classroom that can help develop them as humans.” –Summer 2022 Participant
“Beyond the classroom, my time in Pavia taught me invaluable life skills. From navigating unfamiliar streets to communicating in a foreign language, I became more adaptable and resourceful. I learned to appreciate the beauty of spontaneity and the joy of connecting with people from diverse backgrounds.” –Summer 2023 Participant
“Tufts in Pavia is an amazing experience. It allows you to immerse yourself in Italian culture while exploring the beauties of small-town Italy. If you get the opportunity, reach out to some of the local students, everyone is super welcoming and you will have a phenomenal time.” –Summer 2023 Participant
Dates and Fees
Program Dates: May 23 – June 27, 2026
Tuition & Fees: $9,975
What’s included:
- Full tuition and fees
- Single room accommodations with the possibility of a shared bathroom with one other student
- Breakfast every day and lunch Monday – Friday
- Transportation to and from the airport
- Local bus tickets
- Series of field trips and cultural excursions
- On Call International Global Assistance
What’s not included:
- Airfare and other travel costs (visas, etc.)
- Dinner Monday–Friday and weekend meals
- Local gym pass or University of Pavia pool pass
Financial Aid
Global Education Scholarships for Summer 2026 are reserved for Tufts University students. All students are encouraged to meet with their financial aid counselor to explore access to any additional funding sources.
Tufts University students who are registering for a Short-Term Abroad Program are eligible to apply for a Global Education Scholarship. There are a limited number of scholarships available and are awarded based upon financial need. Priority will be given to students with a family contribution under $10,000. Scholarships are available only to current Tufts University students (international students may apply but must contact Aliki.Karagiannis@tufts.edu).
To be considered, students must submit a Short-Term Financial Aid Application (found within the program application portal) and meet with Aliki. Recipients will be notified of scholarship awards before the program deposit deadlines.
Federal aid may also be available to students attending a summer program. Eligibility will be determined by the Financial Aid Office based on the student’s 2025-26 financial aid application and award. Federal aid may include Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized/Unsubsidized) and/or Pell grants.
For additional questions, please contact the Financial Aid Office.