Program Overview
Program Overview
-
Popular Subject Areas
Business, Hospitality, Design & Liberal Arts
-
Location
Florence
-
Host University
Florence University of the Arts - The American University of Florence
-
Term
Spring 1B 2025
-
Program Dates
Jan 23, 2025 - May 10, 2025
-
Program Length
Semester
-
Application Deadline
Oct 01, 2024
-
Forms and Payment Deadline
Oct 15, 2024
-
Credit
12 - 15 Credits
-
Eligibility
2.75 Minimum GPA*
-
Cost
$17,450
- This session is closed and is no longer accepting applications.
Study Abroad Program Description
This is an incredible semester program for Business, Hospitality, Design, and the Liberal Arts! The Florence University of the Arts - The American University of Florence (FUA) offers courses across a variety of subject areas including Italian studies and culture, hospitality, marketing, management, studio art, and more. FUA places a strong emphasis on experiential learning, focusing on real-world experience and hands-on learning. Internships are available across a wide variety of subjects (language level requirements may vary).
Courses are taught in English (except for Italian language courses.) There is no Italian language experience required for this program, although if you have not taken an Italian language course yet, you are strongly encouraged to choose language as one of your courses. Courses will be taught by local and international faculty. Your classmates will be international students, the majority of whom are North American.
Please note: Some courses will require additional fees: these fees cover course-related activities and support the instructor's teaching methodologies. Textbook costs are not included in the fee. Students will be informed about the payment of these fees by their instructors on the first day of class. Students will need to pay the course fees in cash during the second week of class. Course fees are not refundable.
*Eligibility
MINIMUM GPA
Students must have a minimum grade point average of 2.75.
MINIMUM ADMISSIONS PREREQUISITES
There is no language prerequisite for this program.
-
You must be at least 18 years old by the program start date.
-
You must submit a self-disclosure conduct information form and a School of Record transcript request form. Additional details will be provided after gaining access to the ISA Student Portal.
-
If you have a cumulative GPA below 2.75, you may still be considered for acceptance. You will have to submit one letter of recommendation and a statement of purpose.
What's Included
Comprehensive Advising and Support
24-Hour Emergency
Comprehensive Health, Safety, and Security Support
Airport Reception*
Visa Support
Tuition at the Host University
Housing
Bridging Cultures Orientation
Full-Time Resident Staff
On-Site ISA Offices
Internet Access
ISA Discovery Model
Excursions*
Cultural Activities
Insurance
Official Transcript from the Host University
Professional Development Toolbox
Scholarship Opportunities
Academics
Credits
Credits
12 - 15
Contact Hours
225 - 270
Recommended U.S. Semester Credits
12 - 15
Recommended U.S. Quarter Units
16 - 20
Academic Information
***Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Course registration is first-come-first-serve.***
***Courses listed below only reflect offered coursework during the Spring semester. For pre-semester February Intensive Month coursework, please refer to the following links:
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
- This program is comprised of pre-semester February intensive sessions + 11-week Spring semester. You will take a total of 12-15 semester credits during this program: one course (3 credits) during February Intensive Month, and 3-4 courses (9-12 credits) during the Spring semester.
COURSE SELECTION
- Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.
- Eligibility for courses may be subject to a placement exam and/or prerequisites.
- Course availability is based on enrollment numbers.
- You should seek pre-approval for alternate courses in the event of class cancelations.
COURSE CREDIT
- Credits earned vary according to the policies of the your home institution.
- According to ISA policy and possible visa requirements, you must maintain full-time enrollment status, as determined by your home and host institutions, for the duration of the program.
- Credit transfer is ultimately determined by your home university.
COURSE LEVEL RECOMMENDATIONS
- ISA offers course level recommendations for the courses listed below. Please note that the course level recommendations are based on the Florence University of the Arts subject difficulty levels and course codes. Course numbers generally adhere to the following guidelines:
- 100 - 299 Lower division courses
- 300 - 399 Upper division courses
- 600 - 699 Graduate Courses
- Students who have taken at least 4 semester of college (juniors or seniors) may be permitted to enroll in graduate level courses. It is your responsibility to get any graduate level courses (and credits) approved by your home institution.
- These ISA recommendations are intended to facilitate the determination of course equivalencies by advisers and credential evaluators at participants' U.S. home institutions.
SYLLABI
- Requests for sample syllabi can be made to the Italy Program Manager.
LANGUAGE RECOMMENDATION
- If you have not completed a college semester of Italian language or the equivalent, you are strongly encouraged to take an Italian language course while on this program.
- Italian courses are offered from the Beginner to Advanced level.
COURSE FEES
- Some courses may require additional fees for materials and field trips which are to be paid directly to the host university. Fees typically range from €20 to €150.
TRANSCRIPTS
-
Upon program completion, you will receive a transcript issued directly from the Florence University of the Arts (FUA). If you require a U.S. transcript, you have the option to request a School of Record transcript from the University of South Florida (USF) for an additional cost ($185-$530 depending on the number of credits you are taking at FUA). The University of South Florida serves as the U.S. School of Record for the FUA and this benefit is also extended to ISA students. Please speak with your program manager for information regarding this transcript option. Additional information regarding the School of Record partnership between the FUA and USF may be found on the USF Education Abroad and FUA Accreditation sites.
LANGUAGE PLACEMENT
- Enrollment in Italian courses is determined by the results of a language placement exam administered by the Florence University of the Arts (FUA). Please note that your performance on the placement exam may not reflect the number of semesters of language instruction you've already completed at your home university.
- We strongly suggest that if you are trying to place into any level of language beyond true beginning, to prepare for the language placement exam by reviewing previous coursework.
Please Note: The courses below reflect the most current list of courses released by the host university. Please refer to this list when completing your pre-registration form. Also note that courses are always subject to change.
Courses
select allclear all
Course Disclaimer
- Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.
Support & Funding
ISA is here to support you when it comes to navigating identity questions related to traveling abroad, providing resources and information for your accessibility needs, and identifying funding for your program abroad.
SUPPORT TEAM
Our U.S. staff is available to support you though every stage of your study abroad journey. Please reach out with any questions about ISA programs or life on-site to your country-specific Program Manager.
Our on-site staff are there for you as soon as you arrive in country and will support you throughout your time abroad.
U.S. Team
FLORENCE TEAM
Alessia Foianesi
Resident Director, Italy
Ola (Aleksandra) Smolen
Senior Academic Coordinator, Italy
Perla Signori
Italy Custom Program Director, Italy
Sabrina Landini
Senior Cultural Activities Coordinator & Custom Programs, Italy
Sara Ruffino
Cultural Activities Coordinator, Italy
Lorenzo Pozzolini
Housing Coordinator, Italy
Identity Resources
Accessibility & Accommodations
With our wide portfolio of program types and locations, we’re confident there is a suitable, accessible program for each student.
Securing accommodations abroad can take time, so we ask that those with requests inform ISA early in the advising process. We recommend reaching out to your Program Manager or our Accessibility Team (accessibilityteam@worldstrides.com) to discuss your accessibility needs or accommodations abroad.
Destination Information
Our diversity pages for each ISA destination include information on Indigenous communities, languages, race and ethnicity, religion, LGBTQIA+, and disability access. We hope it will help when reflecting upon and contextualizing intersectionality in your host community.
Identity Blog
ISA offers students the opportunity to blog about their experiences abroad from their own diverse perspectives. These posts can be found on the ISA Student Blog, and interested students should email diversity@studiesabroad.com for more information.
Funding
All students should have the opportunity to study abroad. To help make this a reality, ISA offers a variety of scholarships to help cover your study abroad costs. To learn more about our scholarship opportunities, check out our scholarships & grants page!
If you receive financial aid from your home university, you can likely use those funds for study abroad, as well. Speak with your home university’s financial aid office to learn about your options. Check out steps for using financial aid.
Questions about scholarships and funding? Email us at higheredfinaid@worldstrides.org
Housing
ISA housing offers the opportunity for you to immerse yourself in Florence during your study abroad experience. With Florence being a small city, no matter your housing preference, you’ll be able to walk or take public transportation to your classes! With an open and adaptable mind, the experience of living in another culture can be highly rewarding.
We strive to match your housing preferences with our available accommodations. However, housing preference requests cannot be guaranteed.
Apartment
Apartments are a great housing option if you are seeking complete independence during your time abroad. Rent and utilities are included in the program price and each apartment is fully furnished. The apartments are located throughout the city of Florence rather than all in one building. Apartments typically house two to six ISA students, with shared room occupancy. Meals and laundry service are not included. You will pay a $300 refundable security deposit if living in this ISA housing option. ISA may retain some, or all, of this deposit in the event of damage to property or if utility usage exceeds the allotted monthly amount.
Homestay
Host families are best for if you're seeking a fully-immersive experience during your time abroad. Each host family has been carefully selected by ISA's resident staff in order to best accommodate your needs and to ensure a comfortable living situation. Homestays provide breakfast seven days a week, dinner five days a week and laundry service once a week. You will typically share a room with another ISA student (roommates are of the same gender). There is an extra cost for the homestay housing option; please contact your ISA Florence Program Manager for more information.
Independent Housing
You may elect to secure housing independently. If you select this option, you will receive a discount equal to the housing portion of the program price.
Housing is not included during the winter break and/or the break between the fall and spring semesters for those students completing the full academic year. Housing is also not included between intensive month sessions and the academic semesters. Please contact your ISA Program Manager if you would like to add ISA housing for an additional cost during these periods.
Excursions
THERE’S MORE TO DISCOVER WITH ISA
ISA excursions allow you to explore the diverse, distinct, and gorgeous landscape of Italy that you may not be able to visit on your own. While abroad, you will have the chance to go 2-3 excursions. The destinations below are a sample of some of the possibilities, which are finalized in the time leading up to the start of your program.
Verona & Lake Garda
On this excursion to Northern Italy, you’ll visit the city of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in Verona, as well as see the beautiful Lake Garda, Italy's largest lake.Garda is blessed with a benign climate anddiversity of landscape: from the fjord-like north, where the Brenta Dolomites dropsheerinto the water, to the gentle hills of vineyards and olive groves, and the sea-like southern basin, fringed by beaches. Verona was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000, and is an idyllic Italian city full of beautiful monuments, cobbled streets,and historic squares such as the Piazza delle Erbe.
Siena & Tuscan Towns
Another incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site, Siena has a laid-back lifestyle that allows you to leisurely stroll the winding cobblestone streets, explore the Renaissance cathedral, and relax in the beautiful town square, Piazza del Campo. Each neighborhood (contrada) is represented by an animal or mascot. Ward rivalries are most rampant during the traditional medieval horse race (Palio) held on July 2 and August 16 in Piazza del Campo each year. Then, you’ll tour neighboring Tuscan towns that produce some of the world’s greatest wines, cheeses, and other iconic Italian products. Possible locations include San Gimignano or Monteriggioni.
Pisa & the Tuscan Coast
First, you’ll visit the city of Pisa where, in the Piazza dei Miracoli, you’ll tour the Pisa Cathedral and Baptistry and take a photo in front of the cathedral’s bell tower, known as the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Next, you'll head to the Versilia coast to relax on the beach or do some shopping and have a gelato on the promenade.
Cultural Activities in Florence
The ISA on-site team encourages you to explore the city and culture of Florence. The team facilitates this by offering a robust calendar of events that showcases what makes Florence special.
These activities vary each term, but previous offerings have included a tour of the leather district (Florence is famous for its leather), a pizza making class, and a tour of a gelato factory!