Transform Your First Year with Journey to Italy!
The KSU Journey Honors College invites you to be a part of our new study abroad program that combines academic excellence with international exploration. The Journey to Italy program will take flight in Fall 2025, with the first freshmen cohort exploring the historic streets and cultural richness of Montepulciano, Italy.
Using the completely renovated former-Medici castle in Montepulciano as our home base, students will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore all the cultural richness Italy has to offer. This is your chance to gain global experience, make lifelong memories, and become the kind of student who doesn’t just learn about the world – you live it!
Application deadline: February 1, 2026.
Program Overview
Take Off from Atlanta, Touch Down in Rome
As part of ÈâÈ⴫ý's commitment to global education, Journey to Italy offers a select group of students the opportunity to dive into their honors education with an expense-paid trip to KSU’s international learning center in Montepulciano, Italy. Learn more about each semester below.
Experience Montepulciano
Imagine walking medieval cobblestone streets, sipping espresso in a hilltop piazza, and discussing philosophy in a renovated Medici castle.
Montepulciano isn’t just your classroom—it’s your adventure. With sweeping Tuscan views, rich history, and immersive experiences, this is learning redefined.

Program Benefits
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Learn in a Castle
Take your classroom global in a stunning, centuries-old fortress turned international campus. -
Live the Culture
Experience Italian culture firsthand with excursions to surrounding towns, scenic countryside, and cultural landmarks while building lifelong memories with your cohort. -
Save on Tuition
Out-of-state students are eligible for a renewable out-of-state tuition waiver that reduces the cost of KSU tuition. Learn more about tuition waivers here. -
Travel Covered
Airfare, ground transportation, lodging, and excursions are covered for program participants. -
Honors Advantage
Enjoy all the benefits of the KSU Journey Honors College; including, priority registration, access to Honors lounges, and scholarship opportunities.
How to Apply
Journey to Italy is open to first-year students of any undergraduate major accepted on or before February 1, 2026, into the KSU Journey Honors College.
- STEP 1: Review all the criteria and eligibility to participate in the Journey to Italy Cohort (JTI).
- STEP 2: On your ÈâÈ⴫ý Application, indicate interest in the KSU Journey Honors College. Complete all related questions in the KSU Journey Honors College tab of the application and indicate interest in the Journey to Italy Cohort.
- STEP 3: Complete the essay prompt.
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
- For JTI consideration, you must be accepted to both ÈâÈ⴫ý and KSU Journey Honors College on or before February 1, 2026.
- Students accepted to ÈâÈ⴫ý and KSU Journey Honors College after February 1 will not be considered for the JTI Cohort.
- We recommend students apply to ÈâÈ⴫ý and the Journey Honors College by the priority deadline of November 1, 2025.
HONORS INTERVIEW DAY
- Top JTI applicants will be invited to attend Honors Interview Day where they will interview for one of the Fall 2026 JTI Cohort seats.
APPLY NOW
APPLY TO KSU AND HONORS VIA COMMONAPP
Already accepted to ÈâÈ⴫ý State?
Apply for KSU Journey Honors College and the Journey to Italy Cohort below.