The University of New Haven Tuscany Campus was opened in the city of Prato, Italy in the fall of 2012. The Tuscany campus, the University’s first solely operated international campus, is central to the University’s mission, because Prato is an ideal venue for a range of academic, personal and professional development opportunities key to student success. Students follow coursework as they would do
on the home campus, but also enjoy a range of local excursions, activities, conversation exchanges, and teaching assistantships in local schools. The first campus was situated in Palazzo Vestri, overlooking the Piazza del Duomo, before moving around the corner to Palazzo Benini in via Muzzi. In the fall of 2014, the campus moved to its new, permanent home in San Francesco, a former 16th-century convent, overlooking a Franciscan church and cloister garden. This large complex provides sufficient space for staff offices, classrooms, student recreational areas and dormitory space for approximately 30 students. The University of New Haven is fortunate to enjoy the friendship and collaboration of the Province of Prato, the Comune of Prato and the local Curia. Without the Province’s vision and confidence the University of New Haven would not have been able to establish itself in Prato, and without the interest and support of the Comune and the Curia the program would not have developed in the positive way that it has done. New Haven is the first permanently based program of any US University in Prato, and so we feel privileged to enjoy the warmth and generosity of the Province, the Comune and the people of this city. The Tuscany Campus attempts to repay that interest through promoting a range of student activities that involve local people.
