Auburn University College of Human Sciences

How Your Gift Will Help

To realize the full potential of the Auburn Abroad program and provide more students with access to its invaluable benefits, we need your support.

Currently, the program can only accommodate 23 students per semester, leaving many eager applicants on a two-year waiting list. This limitation stifles the potential reach of the program, denying students the chance to broaden their horizons and develop as global citizens.

Recent discoveries within the Chigi Palace present a remarkable opportunity for expansion. A hidden stairwell unveiled a series of previously unused rooms, providing the space needed to accommodate additional students. By renovating and developing these newfound living spaces, we can increase program capacity by 56%, significantly reducing the waiting list and enabling more students to participate in this life-changing experience.

Your contribution will:

Directly fund the renovation and expansion of the Chigi Palace enabling us to accommodate 56% more students with this enriching educational experience.
Enable more Auburn students to have the opportunity to become a global citizen, ready to navigate and contribute to our broader world.
Provide students with the opportunity to earn an International Studies minor and learn Italian in this immersive experience.
Empower future generations of leaders, equipped with the cultural competence and global perspective necessary to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Join us in making the renovation of the Chigi Palace a reality and expanding the reach of this transformative educational experience for generations to come.

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The Background

For two decades, the Joseph S. Bruno Auburn Abroad program has been a beacon of transformative education, offering Auburn University students an immersive experience in Italian culture at the historic Chigi Palace in Ariccia, Italy. The program has been instrumental in shaping the global perspectives of over 1,000 students, but its impact is constrained by limited accommodations. With your support, we aim to expand and enrich this life-changing program, ensuring more students can benefit from its profound educational opportunities.

The Auburn Abroad program offers a unique opportunity for students to earn an International Minor in Human Sciences over the course of a single semester—a distinction unmatched by any other program on campus. This comprehensive curriculum, combined with hands-on cultural immersion and experiential learning, provides students with a truly holistic educational experience that transcends traditional classroom boundaries.

Students enter the program with expectations of immersing themselves in Italian culture, but they leave with a broader perspective on the world and a deeper appreciation for diverse cultures. By expanding the program, we empower more students to embark on this transformative journey, equipping them with the global competence and cultural sensitivity necessary for success in an interconnected world.