What is Engage Italia?
Engage Italia is more than a trip—it’s an opportunity for student-athletes to deepen their faith, serve others, and experience the beauty of Italy. Each year, Athletes in Action at the University of Arizona partners with AIA Italia to create a unique cross-cultural experience that blends spiritual growth, service, and the rich heritage of Italian history and culture.
Through this journey, athletes step away from their daily routines to encounter God in new ways, build lifelong friendships, and live out their faith in a global context. From team devotionals to cultural immersion, Engage Italia offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to both give and grow.
Growing Spiritually by Serving
A highlight of Engage Italia is serving alongside The Paralympic Sport Experience (PSE). With the World Paralympic Games being held in nearby Milan and Cortina, our teams use this momentum to increase awareness and support for adaptive sport.
Through friendly competition, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, participants experience the power of sport as a unifying force. Student-athletes learn from adaptive athletes who model resilience, strength, and faith, while also encouraging others through their own stories. This initiative fosters dignity, empowerment, and the celebration of every person as an image-bearer of God.
why we go
Since its beginning, Engage Italia has provided student-athletes with a way to live out their faith on a global stage. Our vision is to see athletes grow deeper in their walk with God while serving communities through sport. Each year, lives are impacted—both in Italy and here at home—through relationships built, stories shared, and the hope of Christ lived out in action.
2026 Upcoming Trip
📍 Location: Florence, Italy
📅 Dates: March 6 – 15, 2026 (University of Arizona Spring Break)
💵 Cost: $4,000 per student (scholarships available)
This year’s trip will take student-athletes to the birthplace of the Renaissance—Florence. Together, we’ll serve through sport, explore the history and culture of Italy, and encounter God in powerful ways.
