Exedra Mediterranean Center
International Education in Sicily
Introducing
Exedra Mediterranean Center
Exedra Mediterranean Center is a center for international study located at the heart of Ortigia, the historic island-center of Siracusa. “The greatest of the Greek cities and the most beautiful of all”, Siracusa was for centuries the most important city of Sicily, the largest island of the Mediterranean Sea, known since classical times as “the island of the sun”. Historically, Sicily has always been a meeting place for people of different cultures, languages and faiths, and it continues to act as host to intercultural dialogues at the center of the Mediterranean today. Exedra Mediterranean Center’s mission is to provide a stimulating setting in which these dialogues can take place
WHY CHOOSE EXEDRA?
Exedra Mediterranean Center’s mission is to foster international connections and understanding by hosting custom and faculty-led programs for universities, colleges and schools, and by organising continuing-education and life-long learning opportunities for all. Exedra promotes excellence in education and unique learning and life experiences for students in a welcoming environment.
Exedra also hosts cultural activities and events for the local community, creating opportunities for intercultural exchange between visitors and the town, with the aim of promoting young artists, building cross-cultural bridges and enriching all involved.
Academics
EXEDRA has a network of fully-qualified instructors who can contribute to custom and faculty-led programs in subjects ranging from Italian language to volcanology and nutrition, art history and archaeology.
EXEDRA can also provide expert guides who can accompany groups around the historic and naturalistic sites of Sicily and beyond.
Logistics
EXEDRA deals with all aspects of the organisation of the program, workshop, conference or event, using their network of qualified local professionals to arrange transport, catering and accommodation. Visiting faculty and instructors can therefore concentrate on teaching and program content, knowing that their couse is fully supported by the EXEDRA team.
Accommodation
Student housing is an important part of the overall experience and well-being of students as they cope with their new surroundings, culture, language and study requirements. Participants in Exedra activities are housed on the island of Ortigia within a short walking distance of the center, so they can appreciate the beauty of living and working without needing a car or public transport.
Student Life
EXEDRA is proud of its close links with the community, especially with local schools and associations, because through these links, students can reach out into the local environment and contribute to and learn from the community in a way that is enriching for both.
Location
Exedra Mediterranean Center is located on the island of Ortigia, the intimate and welcoming historic center of Siracusa. It is a wonderful setting for truly experiential learning opportunities in many areas of study from archaeology to art history, literature to philosophy, earth sciences, stem subjects and sustainability.
Students can immerse themselves fully in the Italian and Mediterranean lifestyle, rapidly becoming part of the community as they get to know the town through their curricular and exra-curricular activities. The environment is stimulating, safe and friendly – and what could be better than studying right next to the Mediterranean?
Local Life
One of the five ancient parts of the Greek ‘pentapolis’ of Siracusa, Ortigia has a magical atmosphere with its baroque architecture and winding lanes that open up to stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. Sleepy and quietly evocative in the Winter months, it livens up in the Summer when tourists come to enjoy the Greek tragedies performed in the Greek theatre of Siracusa.
All year round, students at Exedra enjoy the relaxed life-style, the cafe-culture of the squares and the quality of local food and the fresh produce sold at the Ortigia market. We encourage our students to learn about the Mediterranean way of cooking and to take full advantage of what is on offer at the local stalls.
Our Home
The 15th-century Palazzo Francica Nava, overlooking the beautiful baroque Piazza Duomo, is home to Exedra Mediterranean Center. The interior has plenty of old-world charm, and the view from our ‘green room’ is quite a distraction from study! Despite its long history and venerable architecture, it is equipped with wifi, digital projectors and screens, whiteboards, and everything required for the modern classroom. Private terraces provide quiet havens for discussion, reading or simply enjoying the mild weather.
Our library has an interesting collection of books mainly dedicated to subjects connected to Sicily and the Mediterranean, especially art, archaeology, the classics and a special section dedicated to sport in the classical world.
STUDY IN SICILY
Not all classrooms have walls
COURSES on offer this academic year
Residential and On-line courses
Experience . Education . Excellence
PARTNERS
