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WALKING ON POLYPHEMUS' FOOTPRINTS: our Etna hiking program

GIGA INTERNATIONAL HOUSE - CATANIA
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Course description

Etna is the highest volcano in Europe so to come here and not take the time to visit the mountain would really be a crime!
Mount Etna is not only about geology, it is also part of mythology, literature and cinema. Etna's red lava flows through the veins of every citizen born in Catania, making them 'volcanic' by definition.
Every hike will end at sunset, an exciting spectacle seen from the slopes of the volcano!

THIS PROGRAM HAS TO BE COMBINED WITH A LANGUAGE COURSE

The 'Italian plus...' programs are all taught in Italian.
We recommend a minimum A1 level of Italian to participate in this program.
This course is available all year round.

Course topics

Activities

Class schedule

Course duration
1-4 weeks
Start dates
Every Monday
Classes per week
2 lessons per week (each lesson lasts 180 min)
Class days
Monday - Friday

Class times

You can choose from the following class times:

Afternoon session
03:30 PM - 06:30 PM

Class schedule may change depending on availability and season.

Class level

All levels, beginner to advanced
You will take a placement test before your arrival in Catania to determine your class level.

Class size

Average 2 students
Maximum 10 students

Student age

Age range 18 years old and older
Average 33 years old
(30 in the summer)

Certificate

A certificate of completion will be issued at the end of the course.
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school

School description

GIGA – INTERNATIONAL HOUSE offers Italian language courses from the Absolute Beginner level (A0) to the high proficiency level (C2) according to the European Framework for Languages.

Language courses are offered from 1 week up to 1 year length. An online written test will be sent before arrival. Oral and understanding skills will be tested on the day of arrival.

A Certificate of Attendance is issued at the end of each course.

The school also offers Exam Preparation Courses for CELI, CILS and PLIDA exams.

On top of the Italian language courses, our school offers a large selection of Extra Courses (cooking, wine tasting, diving, hiking, ceramics) to be added to the Italian language course.

We also organize a fantastic 30+ program named “The UNESCO Gran Tour of Sicily” for those who never visited Sicily before and would like to know and visit as much as possible about Sicily in 2 weeks only.

The school also organizes a Home Tuition Program where you can live and study in your teacher’s home.

Year opened
1997
Number of classrooms
6

Accreditations

Facilities

  • Library
  • Social Activities
  • Cultural Trips
  • Elevators
  • Wheelchair access
  • Free Internet
  • Wireless Internet
  • Computers
  • After-Class Seminars

Teacher qualifications

Native Italian speakers
All
Teachers with Italian teaching certification
All
Teachers with college degrees
All

Nationality and age mix

The nationality and age mix at GIGA INTERNATIONAL HOUSE - CATANIA varies over different time periods, courses and levels. Throughout the year, the average age is 33. In the summer, the average age is 30.

School holidays

IH - CATANIA does not hold classes on the holiday dates below. The school does not compensate for these holidays, so make sure to choose your start date accordingly.

Open dates
Year round
School holidays
None

School location

Our school is only 350 meters away from the largest Central Park of Catania and its historical City Center. The school is located on the 2nd floor of a modern building and has been recently refurbished and is composed by a large Reception Area, 6 classrooms, a large floor terrace, a Director's Office, a Staff Office, and a Teachers Office.

GIGA – INTERNATIONAL HOUSE was founded in 1997. Nowadays Giga International House is a landmark in language training not only in Catania but throughout Sicily. The Courses, the Certifications and the Teacher Training Department are the three pillars on which Giga IH has built more than twenty years of activity marked by seriousness, continuous growth, and enthusiasm.

GIGA – INTERNATIONAL HOUSE promotes excellence in language teaching through the continuous professional development of staff and the sharing of the values that distinguish its work. Its purpose is to facilitate the achievement of students' goals.

Take a video tour

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photos

Photos

  • Reception of GIGA INTERNATIONAL HOUSE - CATANIA 1/18
  • Reception of GIGA INTERNATIONAL HOUSE - CATANIA 2/18
  • Classes at GIGA INTERNATIONAL HOUSE - CATANIA 3/18
  • Classes at GIGA INTERNATIONAL HOUSE - CATANIA 4/18
  • Classes at GIGA INTERNATIONAL HOUSE - CATANIA 5/18
  • Classes at GIGA INTERNATIONAL HOUSE - CATANIA 6/18
  • Classes at GIGA INTERNATIONAL HOUSE - CATANIA 7/18
  • Classes at GIGA INTERNATIONAL HOUSE - CATANIA 8/18
  • Classes at GIGA INTERNATIONAL HOUSE - CATANIA 9/18
  • Classes at GIGA INTERNATIONAL HOUSE - CATANIA 10/18
  • City of Catania 11/18
  • City of Catania 12/18
  • City of Catania 13/18
  • City of Catania 14/18
  • City of Catania 15/18
  • City of Catania 16/18
  • City of Catania 17/18
  • City of Catania 18/18
reviews

Reviews

100% recommend

based on 1 review
5 stars
1
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Quality of teaching
School facilities
School location
Housing

"Le lezioni erano eccellenti, varie e interessanti."

Riitta Hietanen, student from Finland

L’insegnante era qualificata, gentile e mi ha incorragiato molto. Le lezioni erano varie e ho avuto parlare tanto. Ho soggiornato presso una bella famiglia, con la quale ho conosciuto anche Catania.
Adesso amo Catania :)

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My ratings for this school

Quality of teaching
School facilities
School location
Housing
Date of study
7 Oct 2024 - 11 Oct 2024
Would you recommend this school?
Yes
This is a verified review. This student has booked a course at this school through Language International.
housing

Housing

IH - CATANIA offers the following housing types:
homestay

Homestay - Single-person room - Breakfast

NZ$ 605
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Location: In the city center of Catania
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast (7 meals per week)
Facilities: Wireless internet, free internet, tV room, air conditioning, and heating
Distance to school: 10 - 30 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, after 12:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 10:00 AM
NZ$ 605
homestay, with B&B option (breakfast only). Families have been carefully selected for the comfort of their accommodation, the family cultural standards, and empathy skills.

Homestay - 2-person shared room - Breakfast

NZ$ 605
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Location: In the city center of Catania
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: Breakfast (7 meals per week)
Facilities: Wireless internet, free internet, tV room, air conditioning, and heating
Distance to school: 10 - 30 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, after 12:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 10:00 AM
NZ$ 605
homestay, with B&B option (breakfast only). Families have been carefully selected for the comfort of their accommodation, the family cultural standards, and empathy skills.

Homestay - Single-person room - Breakfast and dinner

NZ$ 605
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Location: In the city center of Catania
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Facilities: Wireless internet, free internet, tV room, air conditioning, and heating
Distance to school: 10 - 30 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, after 12:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 10:00 AM
NZ$ 605
homestay, with "half board" option (breakfast + dinner) option. Families have been carefully selected for the comfort of their accommodation, the family cultural standards, and empathy skills.

Homestay - 2-person shared room - Breakfast and dinner - 2 students must book together

NZ$ 605
weekly
Age range: 16 years old and older
Location: In the city center of Catania
Housing type: Homestay
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: Breakfast and dinner (14 meals per week)
Facilities: Wireless internet, free internet, tV room, air conditioning, and heating
Distance to school: 10 - 30 minutes by bus
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, after 12:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 10:00 AM
Restriction: 2 students must book together
NZ$ 605
homestay, with "half board" option (breakfast + dinner) option. Families have been carefully selected for the comfort of their accommodation, the family cultural standards, and empathy skills.
apartment

Shared apartment - Single-person room - No meals

NZ$ 1,008
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Location: In the city center of Catania
Housing type: Shared apartment
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Kitchen, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, air conditioning, and heating
Distance to school: 5 - 20 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, after 02:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 10:00 AM
NZ$ 1,008
in a SHARED APARTMENT you will have your own private room (no private bathroom) in an apartment where there are also other rooms occupied by other guests and you will share all common spaces (kitchen facilities for your own prepared meals and a bathroom). Breakfast is not included in the price.

Shared apartment - 2-person shared room - No meals - 2 students must book together

NZ$ 1,008
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Location: In the city center of Catania
Housing type: Shared apartment
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Kitchen, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, air conditioning, and heating
Distance to school: 5 - 20 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, after 02:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 10:00 AM
Restriction: 2 students must book together
NZ$ 1,008
in a SHARED APARTMENT you will have your own private room (no private bathroom) in an apartment where there are also other rooms occupied by other guests and you will share all common spaces (kitchen facilities for your own prepared meals and a bathroom). Breakfast is not included in the price.

Shared apartment - Single-person room - Breakfast

NZ$ 1,008
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Location: In the city center of Catania
Housing type: Shared apartment
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: Breakfast (7 meals per week)
Facilities: Kitchen, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, air conditioning, and heating
Distance to school: 5 - 20 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, after 02:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 10:00 AM
NZ$ 1,008
B&Bs are legally licensed facilities where you will have your own private room with a private bathroom in an apartment where there are also other rooms occupied by other guests. Breakfast is included and there are usually shared common areas. In general, there is no use of the kitchen to prepare your own meals.

Shared apartment - 2-person shared room - Breakfast - 2 students must book together

NZ$ 1,008
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Location: In the city center of Catania
Housing type: Shared apartment
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: Breakfast (7 meals per week)
Facilities: Kitchen, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, air conditioning, and heating
Distance to school: 5 - 20 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, after 02:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 10:00 AM
Restriction: 2 students must book together
NZ$ 1,008
B&Bs are legally licensed facilities where you will have your own private room with a private bathroom in an apartment where there are also other rooms occupied by other guests. Breakfast is included and there are usually shared common areas. In general, there is no use of the kitchen to prepare your own meals.

Private apartment - Single-person room - No meals

NZ$ 1,142
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Location: In the city center of Catania
Housing type: Private apartment
Room type: Single-person room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Private bathroom, kitchen, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, air conditioning, and heating
Distance to school: 5 - 20 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, after 02:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 10:00 AM
NZ$ 1,142
You will have a mini-apartment all to yourself, with a kitchen/living room, bathroom and bedroom. You will have total privacy and can prepare your own meals in your kitchen.

Private apartment - 2-person shared room - No meals - 2 students must book together

NZ$ 1,142
weekly
Age range: 18 years old and older
Location: In the city center of Catania
Housing type: Private apartment
Room type: 2-person shared room
Board type: No meals
Facilities: Private bathroom, kitchen, wireless internet, free internet, tV room, air conditioning, and heating
Distance to school: 5 - 20 minutes by walk
Availability: January - December
Check-in: Sunday, after 02:00 PM
Check-out: Saturday, before 10:00 AM
Restriction: 2 students must book together
NZ$ 1,142
You will have a mini-apartment all to yourself, with a kitchen/living room, bathroom and bedroom. You will have total privacy and can prepare your own meals in your kitchen.
visa

Visa support

We cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. However, the school can supply you with all the documentation you need to support your visa application.

Your letter of acceptance will be sent to your home address by regular mail at no charge to you.

Flights and airport transfer

Please note that we do not book flights for our students. If you are researching airfare costs, we recommend using Kayak.com, a search engine that lets you compare flight options from your home country to Catania based on your budget, schedule and preferences.

Travel insurance

Study abroad worry-free with Language International's health and personal effects insurance coverage. When you book a course with us, you can opt to purchase an international insurance plan that covers not only your health care cost but also loss of your personal belongings. You must book your insurance in advance when you register.

Learn more about our insurance plan »

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questions

Questions and answers

Have questions? Get answers from GIGA INTERNATIONAL HOUSE - CATANIA staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.

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