^{“As an Italian major, the challenge of learning to think, speak, read, write, and overall communicate in another language has pushed me to be more curious and sensitive to all other cultures and ways of life. Thinking about translation has also compelled me to consider my relationship to my own culture and mother tongue in countless unexpected ways. I feel so lucky to have had the chance to study this beautiful language in such depth at NYU!”- Clara Hillis, Italian Studies- GLS Double Major, Class of 2021}

^{“NYU is such a large school, but within it you can find smaller communities to be involved in. I'm grateful that the Italian Studies Department was one very meaningful community for me during the past four years, and allowed me to get involved in the department in a variety of ways. Everyone is so friendly and personable, and it's nice to take classes within a smaller cohort.”- Angela Scafidi, Romance Languages Major, Class of 2021}

^{“Learning Italian challenged me academically in ways I hadn't been before, and I found it extremely rewarding! I loved learning about Italian culture and being able to use this knowledge while studying abroad, or while highlighting unique skills in interviews for work after college. I couldn't imagine enjoying learning another language more than Italian!”- Lauren Smith, Italian Studies Minor, Class of 2021}

^{“I made the majority of my friends at NYU through my Italian classes. I currently work in the field of finance, and my biggest inspirations still come from the lectures on Machiavelli with Albertini, or the Opera and Politics seminar with Refini, or the lessons on Giordano Bruno by Cipani… I will cherish [my experiences in the department] for the rest of my life.” - Aidan Levi-Minzi, Italian Studies Major, Class of 2021}

10 Reasons to Study Italian at NYU

1. Largest free-standing Italian Department in North America, rated #1 in the nation for citations of faculty research. 

2. Located in Casa Italiana, a landmarked West Village townhouse and vibrant cultural center.

3. Highly interactive language program built on advanced methodologies & state-of-the-art technological infrastructure.

4. Opportunity to study at NYU’s stunning Villa La Pietra in Florence, the heart of Tuscany.

5. Unparalleled interdisciplinary course offerings, including: Art History, History, Cinema Studies, Comparative Literature, Gender Studies, European Studies.

6. Italian makes an excellent double major—it is an ideal complement for a number of disciplines: Global Liberal Studies, Economics, Media and Communications, History, Politics, International Relations, European Studies, Architecture, etc.

7. Learn about a culture that was formative in the history of the West: Italy has the most UNESCO world heritage sites and is the birthplace of the Renaissance and humanism. 

8. Italian is an asset for careers in fashion and design, film and media, museum science and art history, finance and economics, wine and food sectors, music and performance, tourism, and more.

9. Our BA/MA program enables interested students to get both a BA and MA in less time and at reduced cost.

10. Dedicated initiatives for your professional & academic progress, such as an annual Italian Job Fair and a department-specific undergraduate conference.

Questions? Visit our FAQ page or contact italian.undergraduate@nyu.edu with any questions.

Top Rated Department

The Department of Italian Studies at New York University is the largest free-standing Italian department in North America —it is one of the few in the country to offer a complete program of study in Italian language, culture, history, and society, from the elementary to the graduate level. Students are taught by faculty rated #1 nationally in terms of research quality and can choose among an unparalleled variety of courses, from Dante to contemporary cinema and society; from women writers of the Renaissance to futurist performance art.

Career Prospects

Knowing a foreign language sets you apart in your employment search. Italian, in particular, has been ranked among the top foreign languages that translate into income boost (Forbes) and is particularly apt for a wide range of professional paths: fashion and design, European Union political and economic policy, tourism, wine and food sectors, art history, curatorial & museum studies. To help students with their career prospects, Casa Italiana sponsors an annual Italian Job and Internship Fair featuring companies looking for students with Italian language skills.

Experience Casa Italiana

The Department is located in beautiful Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò, a landmarked townhouse with real Village charm. Through its vibrant year-round program of events, Casa Italiana has established itself as the main hub for Italian Culture in New York. Students who join the Department at once benefit from a place that enriches their academic life with its wide-ranging program of film screenings, lectures, concerts, art shows, and more.

StuDy Abroad NYU Florence

La Pietra, NYU’s center for study abroad in Italy, is a magnificent Renaissance estate consisting of five historic villas on 57-acres of olive groves and gardens. Located on a hillside just outside the old walls of Florence, La Pietra houses a notable art collection and one of the most beautiful Renaissance gardens in Italy. With its newly renovated facilities, this extraordinary campus environment offers a unique opportunity to study Italy’s cultural legacy of art, literature, philosophy, and architecture. In this atmosphere of unparalleled beauty, learning is personal, meaningful, and enduring. View the NYU Florence page or NYU Florence (Undergraduate Study Abroad) page for more information.