Portland State University Reggio Emilia Study Abroad

2027 Reggio Study Abroad information

March 2027 (dates TBD)

Encounter the innovative early childhood schools of REGGIO EMILIA, ITALY!

PSU Students & Professors Reggio Emilia Study Tour - Mar 2027

PSU 3-credit undergraduate or graduate course – Registered for WINTER term

Overview

This study tour to Reggio Emilia, Italy, is designed specifically for small groups of early childhood students andaccompanying professors whose work at U.S. colleges and universities influenced by the Reggio Emilia Approachto education. We view this study group and the associated 3-credit course as an opportunity to engage deeply insocial-constructivist, inquiry-based education through opportunities to dialogue with the Italian educators andvisit their schools. The experience in Italy emphasizes the importance of family, community, and cultural contexts increating responsive and equitable schools. This tour is also a unique opportunity for you to interact face-to-facewith faculty and students in our Early Childhood program.

The PSU Master’s Degree in Early Childhood: Inclusive Education Program and the Helen Gordon ChildDevelopment Center at PSU have drawn inspiration from the innovative early childhood programs in ReggioEmilia, Italy for many years.

World Renowned Schools

The experience of the Municipal Infant Toddler Centers andPreschools of Reggio Emilia is the subject of interest, research and exchange on the part of students, teachers, teacher educators, researchers, administrators, and political andcultural figures from all over Italy and throughout the world. Thecontext and history of this community is highly regarded, rooted in not only pedagogical choices but also political, cultural and ethical choices made following WWII in support ofa new democratic society.

Study Group Program Highlights

Initial gathering at the Hotel Saturday for preliminary discussions, followed by small groups walk in town for dinner
Meeting and welcome lunch on the Sunday followed by a walking tour of the town.
Visits to the Preschools and Infant Toddler Centers of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia
Presentations by pedagogistas, atelieristas and teachers on the history, identity and principles of theReggio Emilia Approach to education and the essential elements in the daily life of the schools.
Interweaving of theoretical talks, presentations and analysis of projects that document experiences realized inside the schools.
Time at the Loris Malaguzzi International Center exploring the Primary School, Ateliers, Bookshop, Documentation and Educational Research Center and current Exhibitions.
Opportunities for discussion among students and professors to share information about their own contextand Reggio-related coursework at U.S. colleges and universities.

International Meeting Place

The study group venue is the Loris Malaguzzi International Center, which now encompasses a Preschool and Primary School. As described by Carlina Rinaldi, President of Reggio Children Foundation, “It was created togive greater value to a strong and distinctive characteristic of Reggio Emilia; the ability to lend listening, visibility andsupport to the rights and requests of children, young people, families and teachers. The Center is a dedicatedmeeting place where professional development and research intersect for people in Reggio Emilia, Italy and theworld who wish to innovate education and culture.”

Tour Facilitation

Your facilitator for this tour will be Dr. Will Parnell, a professor in the College of Education 's early childhood program. Will has a long history of engagement in the school programs in Reggio Emilia, has visited numerous times, and published extensively on the ideas and practices.

PSU Credit – The Course

You will be registered for the 3-credit “Winter term” course ECED 410/ 510 Reggio Emilia Study Tour: Dialogues on Early Education, which may be used as an elective in your Bachelor’s or Master’s program. Graduate students in the “Constructivism” specialization may use these credits to meet specialization requirements with advisor approval. Students not enrolled in our early childhood master’s program may use the credits as they are officially transcripted.

This course offers a study tour trip to Reggio Emilia, Italy and helps students to focus their learning within a dialogue framework with Reggio and U.S. Educators. The study tour offers participants time to observe classroom spaces and visits to schools, daily dialogue with parents and educators, and reflection about one’s own practice. In this class, which includes an online component, students are asked to look deeply at their own practices and beliefs and professionally develop amidst innovative early childhood inspired principles and practices.

An optional 3-credit ECED 427/527 Inspirations in ECE: The Reggio Emilia Approach online class is held in the Fall term as an exploration of core ideas.

Prior Preparation

In meetings and online dialogue, students will become familiar with the history and principles of the Reggio Emilia Approach so that they have a contextual framework before being immersed in the actual experience. Opportunities for dialogue among the group and with educators in Reggio Emilia will offer students many possibilities for gaining a deeper understanding of the history, challenges, strategies and accomplishments of the Municipal Infant Toddler Centers and Preschools.

The program fee of $(forthcoming) to PSU Study Abroad includes: the 3-credit course tuition, Reggio Emilia study tour, shared room housing, all breakfasts and most lunches, city walking and engagments, mandatory international medical, and a few other university fees. Private rooms have a $300 additional fee.

You will cover on your own: airfare, snacks and dinners, trains, taxis, and funmoney. PSU Study Abroad estimates $2155 in these additional costs, althoughstudents may be able to find ways to reduce costs.

Your partner/friend may be able to attend for the cost of shared accommodation but will not attend the tour activities. Thinking of bringing your child: This will require a second adult as your seminars and tour engagements are intensive and cannot accommodate a child during sessions.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

- Initial gathering at the Hotel Saturday for preliminary discussions, followed by small groups walk in town for dinner
- Introductory meeting and welcome lunch on Sunday start date.
- Understanding the history, identity and principles of the educational project including essential elements of daily life in the schools.
- Visiting the exhibitions and spaces of the Loris Malaguzzi International Center and the Documentation and Educational Research Center.
- Research projects and documentation presentations made by teachers, atelieristas and pedagogistas working in the I/T/Preschool Centers.
- Participating in Ateliers for first hand exploration of the 100 Languages
- Opportunities for discussion and reflection among students and professors, sharing information about their own context and Reggio-related coursework taking place at their respective colleges and universities.
- Visit to a Preschool or Infant-toddler Center. *
- Encountering the city and community of Reggio Emilia and the social, cultural and educational context.

*Visiting an Infant-toddler Center or Preschool will be possible only and exclusively if the health conditions in force in Italy at the time of the visit together with the authorization decided and issued by the Preschools and Infant-toddler Centers Institution of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia will allow it."

Meals and Hotel Accommodations

Buffet style included breakfast is offered daily at all hotels. In addition to the welcome lunch on Sunday, lunch isprovided on the 3 days during the program. Accommodations for 5 nights are included from check- in on Saturday to check-out on Thursday. The PSU contingent will be accommodated at one of several hotels within walking distance to the International Center including: Hotel San Marco www.hotelsanmarco- re.it on Piazzale Marconi, 1,Albergo Morandi www.albergomorandi.com on Via Emilia S. Pietro 64, Albergo Reggio www.albergoreggio.it on Via San Giuseppe 7 and B&B del Vescovado http://www.delvescovado.it/home.html on Via Del Vescovado, 1.

ApplicatioN

The priority date for applications is October 1 and if all requirements are met, are accepted in the order received with priority to PSU Early Childhood graduate degree students or alumnae who showed earliest interest in the tour via our Google Form. Rolling admissions will apply if we receive more than the tour size limit prior to the deadline. Applications require your professional reference complete a short questionnaire and that you complete 2 brief essays and various forms. There is a non-refundable $50 application fee. We plan to cap the tour group to 10 students. We will continue to accept applications until Oct 15 in a space available basis only. Please let us know in your application if you may require accommodations due to dietary or ability issues.

Scholarships

PSU offers limited scholarships to help allay travel costs (typically around $500-$800). In past years, all our students who applied received a scholarship. Visit the PSU Education Abroad Scholarship site to see what might apply to your circumstances. In particular, the following scholarships are most accessible for our study abroad students: Lawrence & Pamela Levy Scholarship, Kathy Ketcheson Scholarship, and the PSU Faculty-led Travel Program Awards.

Flight & Travel Arrangements Participants are responsible for their travel arrangements, including air and ground transportation between the arrival/departure airports and Reggio Emilia. Do NOT purchase tickets until your application has been approved.

Remember that in addition to travel time, you will need to allow for time zones changes. Travel from the USA would typically depart on the Thursday before arrival in Reggio. Students often plan to travel independently in Europe before or after the study tour at their own expense.

COVID POLICY

It is your responsibility to weigh the potential risks of covid exposure during international travel and group study experiences. You should also be familiar with current policies in Italy and the USA, including quarantine and vaccination requirements. You will have international medical insurance through your program fee.

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