Programs and Credits

How many students participate?

On average we have 12 students with one to two lecturer/s or teacher/s per program. This number can vary from 8 to 18.

Can I apply to more than one program?

Programs A, B & C run simultaneously (Session 1), as do Programs D, E and F (Session 2). The schedule therefore does not allow students to enroll in both A and B, nor in both D and E, however, it is possible to apply to one program in Session 1 as well as one program in Session 2. The intersession preservation tour is open to all students who attend programs A, B, C, D, E or F.

Must I enroll in the Intersession Preservation Tour?

The intersession trip was part of the program in past years. Now we run it as a separate, optional tour that happens at the end of programs A, B and C and before programs D, E and F, in order to give participants more flexibility in terms of money and time spent abroad. We do encourage participants to stay on (or come early) and participate in the tour if they possibly can.

The ten day trip to Sienna, Florence and Rome is a unique opportunity with guided visits of actual restoration centers and sites that are sometimes impossible to visit independently. However, you will also have an opportunity to travel independently at weekends during the program if you cannot come on the intersession tour.

How much experience is necessary to be accepted to the program? Should I apply?

SGPS accepts students of varying levels of experience and from a wide range of disciplines. The application form is to give us an idea of your level of experience and your interests. It is very rare that a student applies who is not appropriate to the program. However, we do sometimes have to put students on a waiting list if we get too many applications, which is why it is important to get the application fee and program deposit sent as soon as possible. If, for any reason, your application is not accepted then all fees are refunded (please see our refund policy below).

Should I apply at College Level, Graduate Level or Audit?

SGPS is not an accredited program. You must apply through another university or West Virginia University to receive credit. All participants in SGPS programs receive a graded evaluation and a certificate of completion upon request. College level is the standard level. If, however, a participant has some previous experience in restoration, or is part of a master program in conservation, they can apply at graduate level. Those applying at graduate level will need to discuss the extra work with the SGPS faculty (usually involving an extra written assignment) if they have arranged to receive graduate credit. If a participant applies to audit the program, they can receive a certificate of completion but not a graded evaluation.

How can I get credit for taking the program?

SGPS is not an accredited university and it is important that you verify your eligibility for transfering credit before you participate in our program. Our courses are rated by units (equivalent to credit units). Participants receive a letter-graded evaluation and, if requested, an official certificate of completion ($20 fee to cover postage). Participants that want to receive accredited college or university credit should apply to our program through West Virginia University. Many students are able to get independent study credit through their home universities and applicants should consult their student advisers to see if that option is available to them. It is important that students research their home school options before applying to our program. Please visit our Credit page for more details regarding our arrangements with West Virginia University and Notre Dame University.

SGPS was originally part of the university program at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee for many years and became an independent study program in 2010. Since then, many of our students have successfully arranged to get independent study credit through their home universities. We can furnish your professor and university with any information they require about our courses in order to approve it as an independent course, or any other form of accreditation that you are considering, including internships. The number of units listed on our website, e.g. 6 units for Programs A, B, D, E and F and 1 unit for the Intersession Tour, is the equivalent credit level at which students were credited when SGPS was part of a university and what we currently recommend for independent study credit. Please note: It is important to verify your eligibility to transfer credit with your university before participating in our program.

We can provide certification that you completed all the class work and field experience along with graded evaluation. This would be a good addition to your resume if applying for further education or a job in restoration.

When will I find out if I have been accepted to the program?

As soon as we receive your application form we will let you know if we have any questions or concerns and will continue the application process with you. Official acceptances to the program will be issued soon after March 15th. We cannot give an official acceptance without receiving the 3 required documents (proof of age, letter of recommendation and transcript, if appropriate) and the program deposit. See our application instructions for further details.

Will SGPS help me get a job in conservation?

Many SGPS participants have gone on to study conservation and have told us that their experience with us confirmed their ambitions to continue their studies in the field. As there are few opportunities available for students to experience hands-on field work, conservation schools, professors and professionals are aware of our programs and the excellence of our internationally renowned faculty. Our graded evaluations can be helpful in applications to master degree courses and with applications of employment.

How can I find out more about the excavation at Carsulae?

Prof. Jane Whitehead directs the excavation of the Roman public baths in the ancient city of Carsulae (just outside the town of San Gemini). This work experience is separate to the SGPS programs and you can get more information from her page at the American Institute of Archaeology. SGPS has collaborated closely with the excavation at Carsulae, especially within Program B: Restoration of Archaeological Ceramics.

In 2018, SGPS introduced a new research project around the excavation of the baths. You can find out more information about the planned architectural survey by visiting our page for Program F: Carsulae Roman Bath Excavation Survey.

The application deadline has passed, can I still apply?

If there is still space available in the program in which you wish to participate, you can apply after the deadline (March 15). If you are interested in applying after the deadline, you must contact Polly Withers at pwithers@iirpsemail.org as soon as possible. All payments on the schedule will be due and non-refundable at that point. NB: For applying for credit through West Virginia University, there is a separate deadline.

Tuition, Fees and Payments

What are the costs for participating in the program?

The cost and fees are listed on the Tuition page.

Although there is a statement on the website that the final costs won’t be set until March 15, it is very unlikely that these amounts will change. Our budget is determined on the Euro conversion with the US Dollar and any large fluctuations in either currency could affect our ability to run the program. However, we have never had to change the published fees in past years. There may be an extra fee if you apply to obtain credit, which is determined by your home university.

What if I apply but miss paying the program deposit by March 15?

The program deposit must arrive by March 15 in order for your application to be valid. We cannot confirm the program and your acceptance unless we have sufficient serious applicants, which cannot be determined without the payment of the program deposit. Also, some courses reach maximum capacity and you may have to be placed on a waiting list and miss the opportunity to participate this year.

Is the deposit refundable?

Before March 15th you have an opportunity to withdraw your application. On March 16th we will establish if we have the enrollment required for the program to go ahead. Should the program be cancelled due to low enrollment, or any other SGSP decision (including COVID), applicants will be fully refunded. If an applicant withdraws their application before the March 15th deadline, they will be refunded the $450 deposit but not the $50 application fee. Those who withdraw their application after March 15 will not receive a refund of either the application fee or the deposit. Applications that are not accepted will be notified directly by SGPS and any fees paid will be refunded.

Is financial aid available?

We wish we had scholarships available but unfortunately we don’t. However, we’d like to point out that we are one of the less expensive study abroad options out there. Check with your university as some students are able to get financial support to attend our program. Also, some students apply for a loan from a financial institution. We have also had participants fund their trip by Crowdfunding (Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project or venture by raising many small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically via social media).

Here are a couple of funding search engines:

NAFSA, the Association of International Educators, has put together an extensive page with federal, state and private grants that support a variety of study abroad program types.
The Institute for International Education created a searchable directory that features detailed descriptions of hundreds of study abroad scholarships, fellowships, grants, and paid internships for U.S. undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate students, and professionals.

Other scholarships:

The Committee on Minority Scholarships of the American Philological Association (APA) invites applications from minority undergraduate students. The purpose of the scholarship is to further an undergraduate’s preparation for graduate work in classics or classical archaeology. Eligible proposals might include (but are not limited to) participation in classical summer programs or field schools in Italy, Greece, Egypt, etc., or language training at institutions in the U.S, Canada, or Europe. The maximum amount of the award will be $4,000.

Fund for Education Abroad Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled as undergraduates in US universities/colleges and who plan to study abroad for at least four weeks. Awards are up to $10,000. Look at the “Dedicated Scholarships” as well to see if you may be eligible to those specific awards.

What are the forms of payment available? How do I pay by International Wire Transfers?

By check or money order

1. Print out the payment form, complete the bottom section selecting the fees you are including in this payment, detach it.
2. Include the form with a check* or money order* made payable to the International Institute for Restoration and Preservation Studies (or IIRPS).
3. Mail the form and check or money order to:
Attn: Polly Withers
IIRPS
203 7th Avenue, 5A
Brooklyn, NY 11215
* We accept checks from US banks. We do not accept checks from foreign banks, nor do we accept checks or money orders in currencies other than US dollars.

Wire Transfers

Wire transfers must be in US Dollars (must include $15 per wire transfer to cover bank fees). This is usually how participants from outside the US pay.

Direct Bank Transfer

Direct bank to bank payment (includes an additional administrative surcharge per payment of 1%).

Zelle or paypal

Credit Card

Credit Card payment (includes an additional administrative surcharge per payment of 3%).

If you are interested in finding out how to pay by wire transfer, Zelle, PayPal, credit card, or directly from your bank to IIRPS bank, please contact Polly Withers.

How can I send in the required documentation?

You can send scanned documents by email to Polly Withers.

Otherwise by mail to:
Attn: Polly Withers
San Gemini Preservation Studies Program
203 7th Avenue #5A
Brooklyn, New York 11215

The letter of recommendation needs to come directly from your professor or employer, either by email or mail. We will send you an email confirmation upon receipt of all required documents and payments.

Transportation and Accommodations

Do I have to arrange for my own housing?

Housing is arranged by SGPS. Participants stay in apartments or houses that are available in the town of San Gemini, sharing bedrooms that can vary from two to three beds. Private rooms or apartments can be arranged for an extra fee. There is more information on our accommodations page.

What are the accommodations like?

Participants stay in apartments or houses that are available in the town of San Gemini, sharing bedrooms that can vary from two to three beds. There are also shared bathrooms. All apartments have kitchens with basic cooking utensils and laundry. We provide a weekly change of linen (bed sheets and one bath towel). You can read further information on the accommodations page.

Do I pay for my airfare?

Students are responsible for arranging and paying for their travel to and from San Gemini. This is not covered in the program fees. We provide detailed directions and many students arrange beforehand to travel together. You can contact each other through our Facebook page or via email once we confirm the program after March 15. We also coordinate a group chat usually with the app WhatsApp.

When should I book my flight?

Do not book your flight until we have confirmed that you have been accepted to the program and that the program is going ahead (after March 15). Once the program has been confirmed, SGPS will send you a travel logistics document that gives detailed directions for traveling to San Gemini along with other suggestions regarding travel money, luggage, etc. Students will be able to contact each other to arrange traveling together either through our Facebook page, directly via email or via the WhatsApp group chat.

How can I meet other students who may want to travel together?

Once the program is confirmed, participants can contact each other via email. Many students meet up to travel together in groups. We also have a Facebook page and coordinate other social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, for group networking.

Is it safe to travel in Italy?

We advise everyone to exercise normal safety precautions in Italy. The US Department of State issues travel alerts daily. You can also read more about safety and security if you click and scroll down their page here.

Required Insurance and Materials

What is the required insurance?

SGPS coordinates the required insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). This is not required for Italian or other EU citizens who would be covered by the EU health coverage agreement.

The CISI plan costs $56 per month. If you are participating in one program and the intersession field trip, you will need to purchase 2 months. If you are participating in both sessions, you will need to purchase 3 months.

For more information on the CISI study abroad insurance, please contact Polly Withers.

Any special required gear I need to bring?

For Program A students only, you are required to have certified safety shoes or boots with steel toes for the field work. You can buy safety boots in Italy if you do not want to carry them in your luggage. Also, we have many pairs of safety shoes, work gloves and safety glasses that have been left behind by students from past years that you may be able to use, however, we cannot confirm availability until your arrival in San Gemini. We provide you with a more detailed personal equipment list upon acceptance to the program along with an academic reading list.

For Program C, we provide you with a personal equipment list upon acceptance to the program along with an academic reading list.

For Program D, we provide you with a personal equipment list and the opportunity to purchase an equipment kit that is specially sourced by the faculty (US$200). There is also an academic reading list.

For Programs B and E, we provide you with an academic reading list. No personal equipment is required.