Mediterranean Marine Biology in Italy

Rustic Pathways maintains a median of one staff member per 4.37 students (4.37:1), with no program exceeding 7 students per staff member (7:1).

New Program Leaders go through a four-month selection process, and every Program Leader holds current CPR and First Aid certification. Program Leaders travel with the group throughout; the marine biologists of Delfini del Ponente teach and supervise the fieldwork, and the day at sea runs on a licensed commercial vessel with its own crew.

In summer, Liguria is 6 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time.

• After the final scheduled activity of the day, students have their phones.
• Routine help: call +1 440-975-9691, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
• Emergencies: use the 24/7 number in your pre-departure materials.

If a student has an urgent, medical, or significant personal need during activities, a Program Leader helps them contact home.

Most students join on their own, and some join with friends or siblings. Roommate requests are accepted during enrollment for students coming together. Program Leaders run icebreakers on day one, and friendships form quickly.

Cancellations within 24 hours of enrollment receive a refund of all amounts paid to Rustic Pathways.

Cancellations before midnight ET on March 31, 2027, receive a full refund of the program tuition. The enrollment fee and any airfare already booked become non-refundable.

For cancellations after March 31, 2027, see the enrollment terms.

If your family experiences a serious, documented emergency, contact us. We review these situations on a case-by-case basis.

U.S. students can join a chaperoned group flight from Newark (EWR) to Milan Malpensa (MXP), and fly home from Milan with the chaperoned group. Families can also book their own flights into and out of Milan. Staff meet everyone at Malpensa, and the group travels together by coach to Imperia, about three hours.

Flights to and from Italy are not included in tuition.

Flying independently? See the arrival and departure dates below.

Whichever option you choose, Rustic Pathways staff meet every student at Milan airport on the arrival date and see them off on the departure date.

Option 1: the chaperoned group flight

Cost: Chaperoned group flight fee, plus airfare.

• A Rustic Pathways chaperone meets students at Newark (EWR) and flies with the group to Milan Malpensa (MXP), and home from Milan to Newark (EWR) on the departure date.
• Getting to and from Newark (EWR): Rustic Pathways can book the connecting flights between your home airport and Newark (EWR), or your family can. Students fly that leg on their own, with an airline unaccompanied-minor service if the airline requires one.
• Every student on the group flight pays the chaperoned group flight fee, even if your family books the connecting flights.

Option 2: independent flights with support

Cost: Flight Support Fee, plus airfare.

• You choose the flights and Rustic Pathways books them, into and out of Milan (MXP).
• Students fly on their own, and you get 24/7 travel support if plans change.

Option 3: book your own flights

Cost: No Rustic Pathways fee, just airfare (for students not on the group flight).

• Your family books and manages the flights, into and out of Milan (MXP).
• Students fly on their own. Changes and rebooking are between your family and the airline.

Arrival and departure windows

Students who are not on the group flight land within the arrival window and leave within the departure window, about four hours each. Your Personal Travel Advisor shares the exact times before you book. Flights outside the windows carry an additional fee.

Dates on this page run from the day the group flight leaves Newark to the day the group leaves Italy. The group lands in Milan the day after it leaves the U.S.

When your student flies independently, book flights that arrive and leave on these dates. Flight times can change, so contact your Personal Travel Advisor before you book.

At Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP). The group transfers to Imperia after arrival, travels to Milan on Day 7, and spends the final night there before the Day 8 airport transfer.

U.S. citizens do not need a visa for a stay of this length in Italy. The EU’s ETIAS travel authorization has not started yet; once it does, U.S. citizens will need one before travel, so check the current requirement before departure.

Other passports may need a visa: check your nationality on the EU’s list of visa-free countries.

The enrollment fee is a one-time fee, separate from tuition, covering enrollment, pre-departure advising, and trip planning. It begins at $100 and increases closer to the departure date.

The enrollment fee is refundable for cancellations within 24 hours.

Yes. Rustic Pathways offers a 4-Pay payment plan that splits program tuition into four payments over six weeks. This plan is only available for enrollments more than 90 days before departure and only for U.S. bank accounts.

Need-based financial aid and merit scholarships are also available. Explore scholarships and financial aid.

Medical insurance with coverage in Italy is required. Travel insurance is strongly recommended, not required.

Neither is included in program tuition. Rustic Pathways recommends Arch RoamRight: get a quote.

$150 to $200 per week is recommended for shopping, snacks, or souvenirs. Meals, scheduled activities, and gratuities are included in program tuition. Italy uses the euro, and cards are accepted almost everywhere.

Yes. Students share sleeping accommodation with same-gender peers in Imperia and Milan. Roommate requests are taken at enrollment; accommodation details are confirmed before departure.

Personal Travel Advisors review all medical forms and plan with families to manage medication, allergies, and dietary requirements on the program.

Program Leaders are first-aid and CPR certified, and teams keep lists of medical facilities for every major program location.

Imperia has a hospital in town, and Genoa’s major hospitals are about 90 minutes away.

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders supervise students from the moment staff meet them at Milan Malpensa airport until they depart for their flight home.

• A median student-to-staff ratio of 1 staff member for every 4.37 students, never exceeding 7:1.
• Program Leaders are housed on site and available overnight.
• Two-Deep Leadership: No staff member is ever alone one-on-one with a student.
• Each student has a personal check-in with a Program Leader within 24 hours of arrival.
• Families receive a Safe Arrival email within 12 hours of arrival in Italy.

Students do not have unsupervised time in public areas. Free time is structured, with Program Leaders always nearby. At night, students stay in their rooms with their roommates. Program Leaders are housed on site and conduct nightly room checks.

Rustic Pathways follows Trip Before Scroll: staff store phones and connected devices securely during daytime programming and hand them back after the final scheduled activity.

Students keep them overnight, subject to quiet-hours and lights-out rules, and on travel days; medical and accessibility exceptions apply. Wi-Fi access depends on the accommodation; connection may be limited during the day at sea.

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students and works with families to provide appropriate support. Learn about Rustic Pathways’ inclusion policy.

Each session is limited to 16 students, ages 14 to 18.

Yes. Non-U.S. students can join this program. International students fly to Milan Malpensa (MXP) to arrive within the designated arrival window for their session.

Rustic Pathways staff meet them at the airport and ensure safe departure within the designated window at the end of the program.

Visa requirements depend on the passport, so ask an advisor.

Marine biology with Delfini del Ponente on the Ligurian coast: cetacean ecology and dolphin photo-identification, snorkeling to study Posidonia seagrass, sea turtle nesting behavior and beach monitoring, and a whale-watching day guided by marine biologists. The program finishes with a transfer to Milan and an overnight stay before flying home.

Moderately active: snorkeling close to shore, early beach mornings, coastal walks, and a full day on a boat.

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and other diets, plus common food allergies can be accommodated. Dietary needs and allergy information are collected after enrollment and shared with meal providers and project partners in advance.

Liguria is a seafood coast, so flag shellfish and fish allergies early.

Yes. The itinerary may change due to weather, safety concerns, transportation issues, or site availability. Program Leaders may adjust activities and schedules to keep students safe and ensure a positive program experience.