Semester in Florence - Florence University of the Arts

Study, live, and explore in the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance

Live like a local in one of the world's most popular and timeless destinations. You'll study at Florence University of the Arts (FUA) alongside other study abroad students just as excited to experience Italy as you are. Discover the city's hidden gems through "Florentine Fridays" (most Fridays are class-free!) that take you on morning jaunts to places like markets, museums, art galleries, churches, and beautiful gardens. Enjoy exceptional support through both FUA and CIS Abroad, ensuring you're comfortable and making the absolute most of your time in Florence. Choose from dozens of courses taught in English in subject areas including the arts, business, communication, education, health, humanities, math, and social sciences, as well as Italian language and culture. There are plenty of reasons why Florence is a top study abroad destination and this program so highly regarded!

What to Expect

Language(s):

English, Italian

Average Courseload:

4-5 courses (12-15 U.S. credits)

GPA Requirement:

2.80

Visa Requirement:

YES - Pre-departure

Highlights:

Engaging classes, with an average of 8-20 students

Program based in the heart of it all (between campus and housing), in the historic city center

Robust orientation, exceptional support, and frequent social and cultural activities and trips

Variety of courses taught in English across arts, business, communication, education, health, humanities, math, and social sciences

Studying abroad helped me to realize that I am capable of so much more than I had ever imagined. I was also further awakened to my role in the global community and the responsibilities that come with that. It was an irreplaceable experience.
Grace Gibson Elizabethtown College
I have always been a huge planner, but ever since studying abroad, I have learned to be more flexible and to go with the flow. Things don’t always go as planned but everything works out in the end.
Faith Kim University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Program Details

Semester in Florence - Florence University of the Arts

Florence University of the Arts

Founded in 1997, Florence University of the Arts (FUA) is located in the heart of Florence. As you walk to school, you'll pass magnificent monuments, such as the Ponte Vecchio and the Basilica of Santa Croce. You'll enjoy small class sizes of 8-20 students, which gives you individualized attention. Your Italian and European professors are experts in their fields. With the exception of your Italian language course, all courses are taught in English. As a result, you'll choose from an extensive variety of classes. In terms of academics, FUA truly has it all!

Most importantly, you'll find a learning environment that allows you to soak in as much of Florence as possible. Many classes use the city itself as a core part of the curriculum. Full-time advisors assist you academically and personally, helping you choose courses and overcome culture shock. Therefore, you'll quickly get to know the city and make the most out of your study abroad experience. Also, you can join other students for local concerts and get involved in a community service project. Turn to the friendly student services staff to jump right into campus events.

Accreditation(s): FUA is accredited by the Region of Tuscany, as delegated by the Ministry of Education and students can receive a University of South Florida transcript *FUA is also reviewed yearly for European quality certification: Certified by IMQ S.p.A. ,AiISO 9001:2008 Cert. N. 9175.FLRU

Areas of study with 8 or more classes available

Art & Design
Business
Communications
Education
Health
Humanities
Natural & Applied Sciences
Social Sciences
World Languages

Life in Florence

Florence (Firenze in Italian) is a culturally vibrant city located in the heart of Italy’s Tuscany region. Around every corner you’ll encounter jaw-dropping architecture, like the terra-cotta-domed Florence Cathedral. The mild weather makes it ideal for exploring the city on foot—we recommend getting lost so you can meander the streets and interact with the friendly locals.

Thanks to the city's small size, you'll feel like a local in no time. You can explore the historic city center and beyond in less than 30 minutes. Florence is also an art lover’s dream! Must dos: visit the Galleria dell’Accademia—home to Michelangelo’s David, the world-renowned Galleria degli Uffizi, and the iconic Duomo. Explore the lesser-known Boboli Gardens and Palazzo Pitti. Art is a great way to soak in the culture and history of this wonderful city. The views from the Ponte Vecchio and Piazzale Michelangelo will steal your heart, but the food, culture, and people will make you want to stay forever.

To explore outside the city, you can easily hop on a bus and head up to the hillside town of Fiesole. You'll catch a full panoramic view of Florence and enjoy the peaceful Etruscan ruins. Siena, San Gimignano, and other Tuscan villages are also a short bus ride away. If you have the travel bug, trains and nearby airports make it easy and affordable to travel to Milan, Venice, Rome, and beyond in Europe.

The best way to experience Florence is simply to wander through its wonders. This is how you'll find the hidden gems not mentioned in any guidebook.

Live the Local Life

Florentine Fridays

On no-class Fridays, we meet for breakfast and explore Florence! Discover markets, museums, art galleries, churches, beautiful gardens, and many of the city's hidden treasures!

Sports Events

Florence is the home of the Fiorentina soccer club. Attend a game and cheer "Forza Viola!" from the stands with the locals.

Cooking Class

Attend a cooking or pizza-making class and learn how to cook like a local! Fresh pasta is always on the menu, along with fresh, seasonal produce!

Opera

Where better to enjoy a glittery evening performance of La BohÃ Â¨me or Madam Butterfly than in the birthplace of Italian opera? Join us for an evening at Florence's stunning new opera house!

Theatre

Florence is well-known for its many ornate theaters and theater productions. Spend an evening at Teatro Verdi, founded in 1854 at the site of an old prison and listen to a performance by the Orchestra della Toscana. Or attend a Medici Dynasty Show, set in a stunning Baroque church and learn about the cultural heritage left to the city of Florence by 300 years of Medici family rule.

Option 1: The Social Hub Florence

Location

Set in a converted palazzo complete with a rooftop terrace and pool, The Social Hub Florence (TSH) offers a mix of short-term stays, long-term student accommodations, co-working spaces, a restaurant to pop into for a bite, as well as weekly scheduled social events. All rooms are fully furnished double rooms with a private bathroom. Students will have access to study areas, a games and entertainment room, a shared kitchen, a restaurant, and a gym. There are also onsite laundry facilities and 24-hour security. Room amenities include desks, flat-screen TV, and high-speed Wi-Fi.

Meals

The meal plan (included as of Spring 2024) at The Social Hub (TSH) consists of 120 meals including 60 buffet breakfasts and 60 dinners (dinners include 1 dish from the Meal Plan menu + 1 soft drink).

Inclusions and Amenities

24-Hour Security Bathroom - Ensuite Fitness Center Kitchen Equipment Laundry Laundry - Onsite Meal Plan - Partial Study Areas Television Wi-Fi

Option 2: Apartments in Florence

Location

Living in an apartment in Florence, you'll truly live like a local surrounded by Italian neighbors. Apartments are close to campus and house an average of 4-10 students total. Bedrooms are shared occupancy and apartments are fully-furnished and have a kitchen and living areas.

Sample apartment pics will give you an idea of the types of apartments available.

Inclusions and Amenities

Bathroom - Shared Bed Linens Commute - Public Transportation Commute - Walking Desk Kitchen Equipment Laundry Laundry - Onsite Maintenance Service Study Areas Towels Wi-Fi

What's Included

Inclusions

Program fees are in U.S. dollars and include the following:

Excursions outside of Florence
Frequent social and cultural activities (The Local Life cultural program)
University of South Florida official transcript
CIS Abroad support services before, during, and after the program
Academic advising
Financial aid counseling
Assistance with travel arrangements
Full-time tuition and fees
Housing
Pre-departure and on-site orientation
Airport pickup
Medical and Accident Insurance
Free use of gym and gym classes
The Educational Field Learning department of FUA organizes Field Learning activities in Italian destinations as a part of the educational experience. Field learning itineraries may feature daylong or multiple-day durations

Welcome & Orientation

Once you've arrived and settled into your housing in Florence, you'll attend two comprehensive orientation sessions. The first will be led by staff from your academic institution in Florence and may cover topics such as academics, student life, housing, and health and safety. You'll then participate in a second session, presented by your CIS Abroad onsite staff. We'll introduce you to Florence, help you become familiar with many practical matters relating to your stay in the city, equip you with tips and suggestions for a safe, healthy, successful, fun term abroad as well as answer any questions you may have. Specific topics covered during orientation may include housing, health and safety, emergency response and the Italian Permit to Stay process. After orientation, students and onsite staff attend a fabulous (and plentiful!) Welcome Dinner at a well-known Florentine restaurant.

Farewell & Re-Entry Program

Towards the end of your study abroad term, you may feel a little nervous, or perhaps anxious, at the thought of leaving your new home and returning to your old. If you asked around, you'd find that a lot of study abroad participants share your apprehension. It's not uncommon to wonder what re-entering your home culture will be like after having spent time in a new and different culture. To make things a little bit easier, we'll come together for a Farewell Event (it includes amazing Italian food, of course!) and talk through some of the things to expect as you return, positive things to focus on as you leave your host country, and essential tools for how best to share your important experience with people back home.

Program Excursions

While participating on a CIS Abroad program, you'll be able to take part in built-in day trips at no additional cost. These trips are subject to change from term to term; listed below are excursions that have run in the past.

Arezzo

Walking through the narrow streets of Arezzo… it’s like an exciting blast from the past! This is the city of Vasari, Michelangelo Buonarroti and Piero della Francesca, masters of Renaissance art. During our trip to Arezzo you will be able to see an astronomical clock being recharged and we will taste local organic wine in one of the oldest buildings in town, the "Palazzo della Fraternità dei Laici."

Prato

Get off of the beaten path and discover Prato, a unique city for many reasons. First of all, the biggest Chinese community in Italy has settled here, so you'll notice some cultural diversity. Secondly, Prato’s economy has been based on the textile industry for centuries and its district is the largest in Europe. Last but not least, during this trip you are going to try the famous cantucci, a type of cookie invented in Prato during the Middle Ages, that is still produced by local traditional bakers.

Site Director

Romina Marchionne

Site Director in Italy

About:

Romina is a native Roman with degrees in International Communications (2005) and International Relations (2007) at the University for Foreigners of Perugia. Shortly after graduating, she moved back to Rome and began her study abroad career working for IES. In Rome, she began pursing her M.A. in International Affairs at the SIOI. After completing an internship at the Italian Development Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome, her career took a turn as Romina was offered a position to work as a Communication and Public Information Officer within the civilian component of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Herat for the NATO mission in Afghanistan. Between 2008-09, Romina completed two missions in Afghanistan. In 2009, she began working for the Italian Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, which then led her to cover the same position at the Italian Embassy in Sana'a, Yemen. In Spring 2011, the Italian government ordered embassy staff to return home due to the uncertain situation of the Arab Spring. Ever since, Romina has enjoyed her return to the eternal city, and to her career in study abroad through CIS Abroad.

Travel Tip:

If while traveling there's no internet, embrace it. Play a card game with someone in the hostel common room, read a book, lie on the beach, go for a walk, talk to a stranger, think about life. Some of my favourite travel memories are from times when I didn't have an Internet connection.

Martina Rosa

Assistant Site Director - Florence

About:

When I was 16, I lived in Brazil for a year and that experience completely changed my life. I fell in love with the world of abroad experiences and discovered my ikigai: getting in touch with different cultures and passing this passion on to other young people. I graduated in International Studies at the University of Trento. I also worked one year in the UK as an au-pair and one year in Spain as an educator and site manager for pre-med American students. My desire to work in the world of international education is my life mission. I want to give to the world what the world has given to me, I want more people to respect cultural diversity and I would like young people to develop their empathy during their period abroad.

Travel Tip:

When you start an experience abroad you have to give yourself TIME. We are so used to rushing frantically through daily life that we forget to give ourselves time to learn, to adapt, to wonder. Never set your goals too high for the first period abroad; you are starting a new chapter of your life in another world. Remember that when you were born no one rushed you to learn how to walk, you simply found your own balance one day.

Your Support Staff

Aimée Devitto

Program Enrollment Coordinator - Florence, Italy

Travel Tip:

Studying abroad can seem slightly intimidating, especially if you're unfamiliar with the language. However, force yourself to meet new people, take part in cultural activities, and practice the language regardless of the many errors you may end up making. You'll find that you've discovered new things about yourself and others.

Tiffany Ho

International Operations Assistant Director

Travel Tip:

If there are free walking tours at your destination, take advantage on your first day! It helps to acclimate you to your new surroundings, gives you ideas on what to check out further, starts you making new friends, and beats the jetlag! Don't forget to tip your guide well!

Kaylee Klinger

Communications & Alumni Relations Coordinator

Travel Tip:

The best travel tip I always share is, if possible try to catch a redeye flight. That has helped me tremendously fight jet-lag and it allows you more time to explore the extraordinary unfamiliar place!

Dates & Prices

Fall 2023

Application Deadline: 6/1/23

Arrival: 8/30/23

Departure: 12/14/23

Price: $15,990-$19,890

Spring 2024

Application Deadline: 10/15/23

Arrival: 1/24/24

Departure: 5/9/24

Price: $16,790-$21,090

Fall 2024

Application Deadline: 6/1/24

Arrival: 8/28/24
(Estimated)

Departure: 12/12/24
(Estimated)

Price: $16,790-$21,090
(Estimated)

Additional Information:

Price Range

SPRING 2024:

12 Credit Option - TSH + Meal Plan: $17,890
12 Credit Option - Apartment: $16,790
15 Credit Option - TSH + Meal Plan: $19,490
15 Credit Option - Apartment: $18,390
18 Credit Option - TSH + Meal Plan: $21,090
18 Credit Option - Apartment: $19,990

*Any additional credits in between those listed above are at a rate of $530 USD per credit

Housing is allocated on a first come first-served basis upon payment of program deposit.

Single Room Upgrade

Based on availability, single rooms may be available at an additional cost between $900-$1,770

Program Deposit

There is a non-refundable program deposit of $1,000. This deposit will be deducted from the total cost of the program. Paying the deposit secures your spot on the program.

Please note: As with all study abroad programs, you should count on a few additional expenses.

CIS Abroad reserves the right to alter fees at any time due to currency fluctuations and/or fee changes made by our partner universities.

ADVISOR TIP:

Please WAIT to book flights until you have received confirmed dates in your acceptance paperwork. Dates posted here are subject to change.

Semester in Florence - Florence University of the Arts

Study, live, and explore in the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance

What to Expect

Highlights:

Learn More About This and Other Programs

Program Details

Florence University of the Arts

Areas of study with 8 or more classes available

Choose your courses

Notes on Course Load:

How to read the Florence University of the Arts course catalog:

Looking for practical experience with your academics? Consider a Special Project Experiential Learning (SPEL) course

Course Fees

Life in Florence

Live the Local Life

Florentine Fridays

Sports Events

Cooking Class

Opera

Theatre

Option 1: The Social Hub Florence

Location

Meals

Inclusions and Amenities

Option 2: Apartments in Florence

Location

Inclusions and Amenities

What's Included

Inclusions

Welcome & Orientation

Farewell & Re-Entry Program

Program Excursions

Arezzo

Prato

Site Director

Romina Marchionne

About:

Travel Tip:

Martina Rosa

About:

Travel Tip:

Your Support Staff

Aimée Devitto

Travel Tip:

Tiffany Ho

Travel Tip:

Kaylee Klinger

Travel Tip:

Dates & Prices

Fall 2023

Spring 2024

Fall 2024

Additional Information:

ADVISOR TIP:

Adventure Awaits!

Semester in Florence -
Florence University of the Arts