Applications are Open for 2026!

Spots are limited. Apply early for a guaranteed spot.

Student Application

For current Seattle University students seeking academic credit and immersive EQ leadership training during the 2026 Residency.

Fill Out Student Form

Guest Application

For alumni, professionals, and community guests joining the 2026 Dolomites Residency as part of our global cohort.

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Sansepolcro, Italy

Cities of Tuscany & Umbria

Reside in the medieval heart of Sansepolcro, with seamless access to historic gems including Anghiari, Arezzo, Assisi, Perugia, and Montepulciano.

Timed with the Palio Festival, experience the vibrant parades and the dazzling performances of the Sbandieratori di Sansepolcro flag-throwers.

Corporate Partners

  • Perugina / Nestlé
  • Busatti Historical Textiles
  • Lungarotti Winery
  • San Luciano Winery

Why Italy?

Italy offers a unique economic duality: a global manufacturing powerhouse that maintains an entrepreneurial backbone of 3 million SMEs.

Through direct engagement with leaders at Aboca, Cose di Lana, and Busatti, students gain a vital perspective on resilience, heritage, and legacy in the globalized market.

Global Citizenship

  • Intercultural Understanding
  • Professional Skill Development
  • Cross-Cultural Communication
  • Business Social Culture
By joining this study tour, you will develop your credentials as a global citizen by:
  • Exploring the Italian business and social culture.
  • Visiting Italian businesses, both small and large.
  • Participating in events celebrating Italian culture.
  • Practicing intercultural understanding and communication.
  • Polish your professional skills through interacting with business professionals.

Courses

MKTG 4940 / 5940

International Marketing and Communications

We will explore Italian businesses and discover the similarities and differences of culture and business marketing practices within the E​U. Discussions center around the challenges of globalization, including international ethics and sustainability.

Investigate emerging issues facing global marketers and increase your understanding of how marketing is adapted based on global situations.

Instructor

Professor Andrea Holtan

holtana​@seattleu.edu

MGMT 4940 / 5940

Managing Across Cultures

Apply management and organizational behavior principles to multinational organizations, focusing on I​taly and Latin E​urope. Examine how cultural differences influence motivation, leadership, negotiations, and team dynamics.

Enhance your ability to navigate diverse workplaces, resolve conflicts, and effectively manage global teams in a cross-cultural context.

Instructor

Professor Jennifer Marrone

marronej​@seattleu.edu

Tour Cost & Details

$2,850.00 Total. Guests (spouse, partner, or family) are encouraged to join at the same rate.

Included in Fee

  • Simple pensione accommodation
  • All lunches & select dinners
  • All site visits & local transport

Budget Separately

  • Airfare to/from Italy
  • Daily breakfast & personal expenses
  • Lodging outside Sept​ 6–16

Payment Schedule

$500 Deposit: Non-refundable; due after acceptance. Email receipt to mcgrahar​@seattleu.edu .

$2,350 Balance: Charged automatically after course registration.

Policy & Scholarships

Refunds: Cancellations on/before May​ 9, 2026 receive a refund. No refunds after May 10th.

Scholarships: If you cancel within 120 days of departure, you are responsible for the full $2,850 fee.

Logistics & Budgeting

Program Fee: $2,850.00

The tour fee covers simple pensione accommodation, all lunches, select curated dinners (including a Michelin-starred banquet), site visits, and local Sansepolcro transportation.

Budget Separately

Participants should budget for breakfasts, some dinners, and personal expenses.

Fees do not include airfare, transport from Sansepolcro, or any expenses incurred before Sept​ 6, 2026, or after Sept​ 16, 2026.

2026 Pre-departure class meetings for students:

Students need to attend the following pre-departure class meetings:
May 12, June 25, July 23, and Aug 25

A Legacy of Partnership

Seattle University is proud to partner with Pause, Inc. to coordinate this immersive experience. Founded by Hartley McGrath, Pause, Inc. has collaborated with the Albers School since 200​5.

With top-tier logistical support, participants can focus exclusively on the beauty of the region and meaningful engagement with local culture—without distraction.

Inquiries

Questions regarding the Italy Study Tour or the Dolomites EQ Intensive?

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FLAG BEARERS – PHOTO CREDITS: LUCA PIOMBONI
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TaccuiniStorici.it testata di Alex Revelli Sorini
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FLAG BEARERS – PHOTO CREDITS: LUCA PIOMBONI

Sample of Schedule:

September
September
September
September
September
​Arrivals Bus From Rome
Free
Walking Tour of Sansepolcro
Saturday Morning Market
Open
​Arrival in Sansepolcro 
Monastery drop off
Class ​
Tour of Perugia and Perugina
​Visit the Medieval city of Anghiari - Busatti Fabrics Tour and Shopping ​​​
Class ​​
Get Settled
Lunch
Lunch in Perugia
Lunch in Anghiari
Lunch
Free
Class 
Tour of Assisi
Free
Free
Welcome Dinner 
Dinner at The Fiorentino 
Open Evening
​Flag Flowers Show in Square​
 Convivio Renaissance Banquet
Cultural Highlight

Convivio Rinascimentale

"A magical evening dedicated to the 16th-century Renaissance Convivium."

Experience an extraordinary spectacle of colors, sounds, and movements as Madonnas and Messeri dine in elegant costumes faithfully inspired by the paintings of Piero della Francesca.

The Entertainment

  • Renaissance Jugglers & Musicians
  • Period Dancers
  • Authentic 16th-Century Traditional Dishes

This immersive banquet recreates the atmosphere, aromas, and emotions of the courtly era, turning a historical study into a lived experience.

Spiritual & Historic Landmark

Eremo di Montecasale

Built in 119​2 and donated to St. Francis in 121​3, this Hermitage is a site of profound spiritual importance. It remains a rare example of "poor style" architecture, using local stone and wood.

Explore the silent spaces where St. Francis slept and prayed, surrounded by the untouched nature of the Tuscan-Umbrian hills.

Excursion Details

Choose between an optional mid-morning hike through the hills or a group bus directly to the site.

All participants will meet for a picnic lunch overlooking the stunning valley vistas.

Indulge & Learn

Winery Tours & Tastings

Travel through the rolling Tuscan countryside to visit renowned wineries, where you will learn about the region's viticulture while tasting luscious local wines and traditional food pairings.

In Sansepolcro, we partner with master sommeliers at Enoteca Guidi and Ottimi Vini Di Strugnell for exclusive, guided tasting sessions.

Global Shipping

Both partner shops offer direct shipping to the U​S.

Enjoy the freedom to purchase your favorite bottles without the limitations of luggage space.

Heritage & Tradition

Anghiari & Busatti Textiles

Visit the medieval village of Anghiari to enjoy sweeping panoramas of the Tiber Valley before touring the cellars of the Palazzo Morgalanti.

Since 184​2, the Busatti family has been weaving textiles that are a global synonym for quality and innovation. Their work blends Tuscan tradition with modern research.

Bespoke Artistry

Beyond standard production, Busatti offers customized specifications for home decor and linens.

From exclusive embroideries to unique patterns, experience the pinnacle of Italian textile customization.

Seasonal Guidance

Climate & Weather

During the tour months, you are most likely to experience pleasant average temperatures and sunny skies, with only occasional rainy days typical of the Tuscan summer and early autumn.

The Mid-Season

September is widely considered the best time to visit Tuscany.

Enjoy the "quieter" part of the season with fewer tourists and more temperate conditions for our daily excursions.

Est. 199​4

A Legacy in Sansepolcro

In 199​4, Sansepolcro became the inaugural destination for the Albers Italy Study Tour. The tour began as a symposium honoring Luca Pacioli—the "father of accounting"—on the 500​th anniversary of his work on double-entry bookkeeping.

What started as a lighthearted idea reached The Wall Street Journal, evolving into an international celebration and one of the business school's most enduring traditions.

Cultural Recognition

In honor of this deep relationship, the town of Sansepolcro erected a statue of Luca Pacioli—a tribute to accounting history and Seattle University.

We celebrated the 25​th anniversary of this signature tour in 201​9, continuing a legacy of excellence.

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