Spring Break in Italy

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Italy | Cybersecurity and Digital Life: Italy and the United States

 

Aerial view of city square in Palermo, ItalyDates: March 4-13, 2027
Location: Palermo and Rome, Italy
Cost: $3,600
Included: airfare, accommodations, in-country transportation, meals, program events and activities, and study abroad fee
Application deadline: October 15th
Deposit: $575 November 1st (non-refundable)
Final payment deadline: $3,025 with spring tuition and fees deadline
Course information: CYS 298 – Cybersecurity, Surveillance, and Everyday Technology in Italy

Requirements: In order to attend a Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program, students must have a 2.5 or higher GPA. Questions regarding this policy may be directed to Bryan Johnson (johnson_mb@mercer.edu).

Led by Dr. Johnathan Yerby, this 1-credit stand-alone course takes students to Palermo and Rome, Italy from March 4–13, 2027, using two of Europe’s most dynamic cities as living classrooms for exploring how privacy, surveillance, and everyday technology differ between the EU and the United States. Students will engage academically with the University of Palermo’s cybersecurity department, observe digital life in action at iconic sites like the Vatican and Colosseum, tour historic landmarks including Palazzo Reale and the markets of Palermo, and take a day trip to the ancient Greek ruins at Selinunte. No technical background is required — this course is open to students from all majors who are curious about how technology, culture, law, and everyday life intersect across borders. Whether your interests lie in business, criminal justice, public policy, international affairs, or simply the world beyond your own backyard, this program offers a unique lens for seeing Italy in a way most travelers never do.

For more information about this program please contact Dr. Johnathan Yerby (yerby_jm@mercer.edu, 478-301-2601) or the Study Abroad Office (studyabroad@mercer.edu, 478-301-4444).

What You'll Do

Based on the details provided in your study abroad proposal and syllabus, here is a “what you’ll do” list tailored for the Italy program that mirrors your example:

During this one-week program, students will:

  • Take a day trip to Florence to visit the Uffizi Museum and the Cathedral.

  • Have academic engagement and workshops with University of Palermo faculty and students.

  • Participate in field observations in public spaces around major sites like the Vatican, Colosseum, and Cathedrals.

  • Engage in comparative learning activities to analyze everyday digital life, such as transit systems, contactless payments, and public surveillance in an international context.

  • Take part in cultural experiences exploring Palermo’s historic markets (Capo & Ballarò) and the Palazzo Reale.

  • Visit the ancient ruins of Selinunte during the transition from Sicily to Rome.

  • Go to a cybersecurity department and local bank in Rome for specialized academic visits.

  • Tour the historic town of Monreale by bus to experience its famous cathedral.

*These activities are subject to change based on availability when booking.

Application Process

To apply: Please click on the “Apply Now” button in the overview section and fill out all of the information requested.

Application deadline: ​​​​​​​October 15th
Decision date: October 16th
Deposit: $575 (non-refundable) due by November 1st to hold your place in the program.
Final payment deadline: $3,025 by spring tuition and fees deadline

Academics

CYS 298 –  Cybersecurity, Surveillance, and Everyday Technology in Italy

1 Credit Hour

Course Description

This 1-credit study abroad course explores how privacy, surveillance, public security, and everyday technology are experienced in Italy compared with the United States. Using Palermo and Rome as living classrooms, students will examine how people interact with digital systems in public spaces, transportation, tourism, business, government, education, and cultural life.

The course is designed for students interested in technology, travel, law, business, criminal justice, politics, culture, international affairs, cybersecurity, or public policy. Students do not need a technical cybersecurity background. The goal is to help students see how digital trust, privacy, surveillance, and security shape ordinary life in another country.

Planned experiences include academic engagement with the University of Palermo, visits and field observations in Palermo and Rome, cultural experiences such as Palermo’s markets and Palazzo Reale, and public-space observations around major sites such as the Vatican and Colosseum. Students will use these experiences to think critically about how technology, security, privacy, and culture intersect in everyday life.

Budget

What is included in the program fee: 

  • Airfare
  • Meals
  • Lodging
  • Transportation in country
  • Entry fees and required activities
  • Study Abroad application fee
  • International Insurance

What is not included in the program fee:

  • Tuition*
  • Souvenirs
  • Transportation to and from the ATL airport

*Tuition is dependent upon your current enrollment and your colleges tuition fees for the semester of your program. If you are enrolled as a traditional undergrad on the Macon campus, the 1 credit for this program will go towards your overall 12-18 credits for the semester and will not create an increase in tuition cost as long as your overall amount of credits (including this 1 credit course) does not go over 18 credits. For a current list of tuition costs, please visit the Bursar’s office at The Office of the Bursar.

Scholarships

Scholarship opportunities:

*Please contact Bryan Johnson before applying to the asterisked scholarship opportunities at johnson_mb@mercer.edu.