There’s still time to ensure that you’ll get to retrace the Allies’ footsteps in Italy and Sicily this summer.

A few more places remain for a new MTSU study-abroad course led by Dr. Derek Frisby, an associate professor of global studies and cultural geography.

Lt. Col. Lyle Bernard, right, commanding officer of the U.S. Army’s 30th Infantry Regiment and a prominent figure in the second daring amphibious landing behind enemy lines on Sicily’s north coast, discusses military strategy with Lt. Gen. George S. Patton near Brolo in this 1943 Army Signal Corps photo. MTSU professor Derek Frisby is leading a new World War II-focused study-abroad excursion to Italy and Sicily this summer. (Photo courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration)

Non-MTSU students are welcome to join the class on a 15-day trek through Italy and Sicily in July 2015. They can fly with the group or arrange for flights on their own.

The application deadline is Friday, March 6.

Dr. Derek Frisby

The cost will run at least 20 percent less than an average commercial tour cost. Group airfare will cost $1,885 per student, and the total per-student cost will range from $4,200 to $4,500, including tuition and fees. Financial aid is available for MTSU students.

Frisby, who has led World War II-focused study-abroad excursions to Pacific islands and western Europe, will take the group to the beaches where British, Canadian and American forces invaded Sicily in July 1943 and trace the route Gen. George S. Patton’s forces took to Palermo.

From there, they will visit the active volcano Mount Etna and the dormant volcano Mount Vesuvius. The group also will tour the ruins of the ancient city of Pompeii, which was destroyed when Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D.

The critical WWII battle sites of Anzio and Salerno are on the agenda, along with tours of the Vatican, the Coliseum, the Forum and some wine-tasting and craft-sampling opportunities in the cities of Naples and Florence.

“This trip is really about warfare and culture and the memory of warfare,” said Frisby, who added that he welcomes the opportunity to include some ancient and cultural history as well.

“If you are a student, please go to the MTSU Education Abroad website and fill out the application,” said Frisby. “Also, ensure that you have applied for an Education Abroad scholarship.”

Financial aid is available through the Office of Education Abroad. For more information about financial aid, call 615-898-5179 or educationabroad@mtsu.edu.

More information about the course and a complete itinerary are available here. Contact Frisby at derek.frisby@mtsu.edu.

— Gina K. Logue (gina.logue@mtsu.edu)