About USAC Reggio Emilia, Italy – University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE) Program
Through USAC's program in Reggio Emilia, Italy, you will attend classes at the Reggio Emilia campus of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE), ranked as the second-best public university in Italy. UNIMORE has deep historical roots stretching back to 1175, making it one of the oldest universities in the world — just decades younger than the legendary University of Bologna. Reggio Emilia itself boasts its own scholarly heritage, with records of a school of Law as early as 1188, and notable alumni including historian Ludovico Antonio Muratori, playwright Carlo Goldoni, and former Italian President Sandro Pertini.
Classes are held in the beautifully renovated Palazzo Dossetti, formerly known as the Caserma Zucchi. This modernized facility seamlessly blends contemporary academic infrastructure with centuries of Italian architectural and cultural history, giving you a truly unique setting in which to pursue your studies. UNIMORE offers coursework across a broad range of disciplines, including education and humanities, communication and economics, engineering, and foreign languages and cultures — making it a strong fit for students from many academic backgrounds.
You will benefit from a diverse and experienced faculty composed of both Italian and international professors, who bring varied global perspectives to the classroom. The welcoming campus atmosphere includes a friendly café where you can share meals and conversation with local Italian students, a well-organized modern library, and even a student-led radio broadcasting station. The vibrant campus community is further enriched by the Italian student life association Uni-life, which organizes activities both on campus and throughout the broader Reggio Emilia community.
One of the most rewarding opportunities available to you is the language partner program, which pairs you with a local Italian student so you can practice your Italian while helping them improve their English. This kind of direct cultural and linguistic exchange deepens your immersion in Italian life far beyond the classroom. After your studies each day, you can unwind with a stroll through the large park directly in front of the school, or explore the charming narrow streets of Reggio Emilia's historic city center — just a five-minute walk away. The neighboring city of Modena is also easily accessible by train in only ten minutes, opening up even more cultural and culinary exploration in one of Italy's most celebrated regions.