Menu
SCIE Logo

SCIE Center Siracusa

5 Rating
12 reviews
Leave a Review
Request Info
Request Info

Why choose SCIE Center Siracusa?

Scie Center was founded by a group of colleagues and friends who worked first at MCAS, and later for Arcadia University.

From the beginning their intent was to continue with determination their work done with excellence for about 15 years in the field of Study Abroad.

Their experience and professionalism has led them to work not only with American universities, colleges and schools, but also with European ones.

Their dedication to their work has made them unique in designing and implementing academic and non-academic programs for any type of need. Their passion and complete dedication to their work means that the students feel welcome and supported 24 hours a day, confident that any problem will be addressed and solved by an efficient and professional staff.

Scie Center excels in organizing and creating Programs for any type of market.

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to help you plan with confidence.

Community Photos

No photos yet!

Leave a Review  to share your photos.

Reviews

Sabrina
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Study Abroad in Sicily with SCIE Center

Studying Abroad with the SCIE Center

Jul 29, 2019

My experience with the SCIE CENTER was a fantastic experience. I was studying abroad with 19 others and the SCIE center provided wonderful experts in their fields to teach us about the history and culture of Sicily. The SCIE center also coordinated fun activities like a boat tour of Ortygia, and learning how to make the typical Sicilian pasta. Franca, the director for the SCIE center, was a vital component to our success abroad as she went above and beyond to ensure that we had the best experiences touring Sicily. I learned so much about Sicily’s expansive and impressive history and culture with her as our tour guide. We toured Catania, Noto, Taormina, and Western Sicily during our 6-week program with the SCIE center and it was unforgettable!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Going to the Capuchin Catacombs -- a monastery where the dead were mummified and are preserved. Seeing this was chilling, but fascinating!
Touring Mt. Etna
Wine tasting at the Gambino Winery also included a tasting of these beautiful Sicilian foods.
being able to touch a centuries-old song book made of sheep's skin at the Monastery in Catania.
Clarissa
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Photography & Content Creation – Emotional Pictures

My Sicilian Summer

Jul 28, 2019

My first experience abroad was absolutely amazing! The SCIE Center was incredibly helpful in all aspects whether that was coordinating lectures, organizing fun activities, or guiding us through every day life in Sicily. We were exposed to so much culture, food, and history that has impacted me academically and personally. From wandering through the streets of Ortigia to swimming in Mondello, we truly got a taste of Sicily in one program that you couldn’t find anywhere else. Franca, SCIE Center Director, was the best mentor and friend we could’ve had during our 6 weeks in Italy. She helped us not only as a director, but also as family. I’ve learned so much from her and her program and highly recommend this to any individual considering to study abroad!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
Treasure your time in Ortigia! I really wish I could have stayed a little longer!
Valley of Temples in Agrigento
Making lolli pasta
Clarissa
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Study Abroad in Sicily with SCIE Center

My Sicilian Summer

Jul 28, 2019

My first experience abroad was absolutely amazing! The SCIE Center was incredibly helpful in all aspects whether that was coordinating lectures, organizing fun activities, or guiding us through every day life in Sicily. We were exposed to so much culture, food, and history that has impacted me academically and personally. From wandering through the streets of Ortigia to swimming in Mondello, we truly got a taste of Sicily in one program that you couldn’t find anywhere else. Franca, SCIE Center Director, was the best mentor and friend we could’ve had during our 6 weeks in Italy. She helped us not only as a director, but also as family. I’ve learned so much from her and her program and highly recommend this to any individual considering to study abroad!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Treasure your time in Ortigia! I wish I could have stayed there a little longer!
Group photo at the Valley of Temples in Agrigento
Making lolli pasta at the SCIE center!
Abby
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Italian Courses at SCIE Center - Siracusa

Review for SCIE Center

Jul 23, 2019

Franca Lupo has been more to me on my study abroad program than I could have dreamed. The second I arrived at the airport, she bought me a sandwich because she knew I was hungry, and has been sure to treat me and all other students as her own children. The center itself was always clean, professional, and a great place to host our classes. I have loved this program more than I ever imagined, and would recommend it to anyone! Franca even opened her own home to all 20 of us, and taught us how to make bread and pasta. Her grandmother also made pizza for us. Besides classes at the SCIE center, Franca and her sister organized events/parties on some nights that were a blast! Franca also organized many events for our group, taking care to accommodate any special dietary needs we had.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Come to Sicily with an open mind! Before coming on this trip, I was not sure exactly what I would eat, see, or do, but I loved every second of it! Being open to situations outside of your comfort zone is important to get the most out of your time here.
Clare
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Study Abroad in Sicily with SCIE Center

The Comprehensive Learning Experience of a Lifetime

Jul 23, 2019

Franca Lupo of the SCIE Center of Syracuse treated each of the students on our program as if we were her own children. With that in mind, each of us felt like a member of a Sicilian family, which greatly facilitated our language learning, how comfortable we felt, and cultural knowledge we were able to absorb. When any of the small problems typically associated with traveling arose, Franca swiftly solved the situation with grace and ease. She was so knowledgable about the history of Sicily, traditional recipes, and how to give us the best experience possible. I learned so much about nutrition, and myself, from my time here in Ortigia through lived experiences and Franca's kind spirit. I hope that so many more students can experience this amazing school.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Bring your appetite to Sicily! There will be so many incredible meals served, even specialty items made from Franca's mother.
View All Reviews

Programs

Displaying 1 - 3 of 3

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Franca Lupo

Program
Study Abroad in Sicily with SCIE Center
Job Title
Director
Franca Lupo Was born in Orvieto, Italy. She studied literature at the University of Catania and is fluent in English. Franca worked as lecturer at The University of Ontario, Canada and as Guest Assistant at Enfap in Siracusa before joining Mediterranean Center for Arts and Sciences as Student Service coordinator for LINGUAVIVA programs in 2005, organising extra-curricular and cultural activities for students, and building links into the community through the volunteer work program, then as office administrator at MCAS working with API and SAI two study Abroad agencies in the USA. From 2011/2015, she held the position of Office Manager at Arcadia University in Siracusa. She has been involved with study abroad programs for more than 15 years in Syracuse.
Franca Lupo

What is your favorite travel memory?

It was in 2008 when I went to Tunisia with a group of students from Arcadia University during the spring break. It was a great experience.

This experience really enriched us so much because it made us touch the true Tunisian culture. We went to visit archaeological sites and towns, and we had a cultural exchange with students belonging to Sousse Univerity, but the best day we had together with the students was when we went to the home of a Tunisian family; they invited us to have lunch with them, and although they were really not well-off, they hurried us with food and drinks, all sitting together eating and telling us about our life experiences.

At the end of the lunch, they sang for us the typical Tunisian songs. The whole family could play and sing. It was an unforgettable journey for all of us.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I started to work in the field of study abroad 15 years ago. I was an employee of Arcadia University. Four years ago, Arcadia decided to close the study abroad center in Siracusa, and after 15 years of experience, I decided to open my international school.

During those 15 years spent in Study Abroad Programs (Internship, Semester programs, Faculty-led programs, Fall/Spring/Summer programs, and more), I gained a huge experience in every field, I held various roles from student services, office managers, programs coordinator, and I realized that I could use all my experience and start an adventure of my own. I've learned over the years what works and what doesn't work in the various programs, and all this has led me to create and grow my school.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

In 15 years of career, I met hundreds of students. Many of them returned to visit me, telling me that, to have the chance to do a Study Abroad program in Syracuse, it was for them the most beautiful experience of their life, because Sicily and Syracuse, in particular, is full of history, culture and the food is fantastic.

But first of all, because they felt welcomed and part of the community.

During their studying Abroad experience, we involved the students to learn something about the Sicilian culture, I'm the first person that teaches them the way to cook in a Sicilian way. The Sicilian cooking class is one of the favorite activities that students do.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

All of them, mainly we offer Custom and Faculty-led programs. Scie Center offers students and teachers who want to come to Sicily and have a unique experience both logistic and specialized support for Custom and Faculty-led programs for Universities, Schools and Colleges. The Scie team has many years of experience in the Study Abroad field, and this makes them reliable partners and experts in organizing any type of program. In 15 years of experience, they have created an important network with the local community, which allows them to offer students a unique and extraordinary experience here in Syracuse. Students will have the opportunity to learn real Sicilian traditions and breathe the history and culture of the island.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Our goal is to give students, first of all, the best Study Abroad experience of all. My staff and professors are very attentive to the needs of the students and the teachers who accompany them.

We want students to feel welcomed and followed during their experience abroad, but at the same time, we give them the tools to become independent in a country that is not theirs. One of our goals is to make students citizens of the world, to learn them that every culture, even if different from theirs, can enrich you and make you grow.

My staff is so attentive to small things since the students arrive at Catania airport; they are welcomed and accompanied to the lodgings. We have agreements with fantastic facilities, where students have all kinds of services.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

The biggest factor in being a successful company is the experience that you gain over the years, then passion and professionalism.

The dedication to this work has made Scie Center unique in designing and implementing academic and non-academic programs for any type of need. As I said, the passion and complete dedication to this work means that the students feel welcome and supported 24 hours a day, confident that any problem will be addressed and solved by an efficient and professional staff.

Scie Center excels in organizing and creating programs for any type of market, due to its 15 years of experience in the field of Study Abroad.