Sicily, one of the world's first multicultural societies, has been ruled by Asians, Africans and Europeans over the course of its 3,000-year history, and each group has clearly left its mark. Just three kilometers from the Italian peninsula, across the Strait of Messina, Sicily is located at the center of the Mediterranean. Brimming with art, history, archaeology and folklore, Sicily draws thousands of students to its shores each year.

Students in Sicily will tread the same ground as many of those who shaped the destiny of Europe. Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Aragonese are just a few of the early peoples who claimed Sicily as their own. Once a Greek colony, a Roman province, an Arab emirate and a Norman kingdom, Sicily holds many reminders of its cosmopolitan past. Greek temples and amphitheaters, Roman settlements, Norman-Arab, Byzantine and early Gothic churches, medieval castles and Baroque mansions overwhelm the senses.

The largest island in the Mediterranean, sun-drenched Sicily has long been a magnet for spiritual and intellectual luminaries. Here, Archimedes taught mathematics and engineering, Saint Paul preached, and Aeschylus, Dante, Boccaccio, Goethe, Wagner and D.H. Lawrence found their muse.

Home to Mount Etna, Europe's highest active volcano, Sicily is a place of timeless beauty where the mountains meet the sea. In summer, the golden coastline is awash with lemon and orange orchards. Palm trees dusted with snow sparkle in winter, and green fields burst forth with a palette of wild flowers in spring. Lush northern forests, rugged inland terrain, and abundant olive groves and wheat fields complete the picture.

Palermo, the regional capital of Sicily, is home to the Archaeological Museum, which houses an impressive Etruscan collection, and friezes from the temples of Selinunte. Also in Palermo is the Capella Palatina, a stunning chapel that Guy de Maupassant called "the most beautiful in the world, the most surprising religious jewel ever dreamt of by man." Other important Sicilian cities are Messina, Catania, Agrigento, Trapani, Ragusa, Enna and Caltanissetta.

Syracuse (Siracusa) is Sicily's most renowned ancient Greek city. Plato taught here, Archimedes was slain by the Romans and the tyrant Dionysus eavesdropped on prisoners in the 200-foot long chamber called the "Ear of Dionysus." Further north is the "jewel of Italy," Taormina, situated to allow easy access to Sicily's historic, artistic and cultural treasures. The Center for Italian Studies Babilonia offers a variety of programs for students of all levels, combining language, history and culture studies with program travel for a truly rewarding experience.

Science and technology are making great inroads in modern Sicily. Sicily's four public universities in Palermo, Catania, Messina and Enna play a central role in fostering research, development and training in the region. The universities have also established a number of initiatives to align themselves with the needs of the job market and the economy, and work closely with Sicily's three main technology districts.

Etna Valley is a technological district that hosts 20 multinational companies and employs 5,000 people in the vicinity of Catania. The Bio-agriculture and Eco-compatible Fishing District (Distretto Tecnologico Agrobio e Pesca eco-compatibile) is dedicated to the development of biotechnology in the food and agriculture industry. The Naval Transportation Technology district ("Distretto Tecnologico Trasporti navali, commerciali e da diporto") hosts research in innovative technologies for increasing transportation system efficiency.

Sicily has retained its reputation as a location of strategic importance. Of the more than 30,000 U.S. citizens living in Sicily, 7,000 are military personnel at Sigonella, the largest military base in the Mediterranean, also known as the "Hub of the Med." The U.S. government is the third largest employer in Sicily, after the Italian government and Fiat.

One of Sicily's major attractions is its stellar cuisine. Open air markets offer olive oil and cheese, while cooking lessons and culinary tours are widely available. Popular favorites include caponata (eggplant, olive, caper and celery salad), grilled swordfish, and cannoli (tube-shaped pastry filled with sweet, creamy ricotta).

Sicily's customs, architecture, language and cuisine reflect the many influences that make this an intellectually exciting study destination. For all students-of the arts, sciences and humanities-Sicily is sure to stimulate the senses and inspire the soul.

Resources -

IIEPassport.org: www.IIEPassport.org
Study Abroad Funding: www.StudyAbroadFunding.org
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program: www.iie.org/gilman
Center for Italian Studies Babilonia: www.study-abroad-programs-italy.com
Best of Sicily: www.bestofsicily.com
Sicily-USA Partnership Project: www.sicilyusaproject.com