About the Program
Experience Italian life and culture, past and present, in the beautiful and lively city of Florence. Famous for its Renaissance legacy, Florence is a thriving city of 500,000 people and a fascinating mix of old and new. Buses, taxis, and mopeds drive within feet of the Duomo, Florence's magnificent cathedral; chic shops and elegant restaurants line the charming avenues; historic piazzas, ringed with outdoor cafes, host performance artists and flea markets. Enjoy the region's mild climate and world-famous cuisine in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
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The semester program is divided into two tracks. One, the internship track, is designed for students with advanced language skills (at least four semesters). The other, the Language and Culture track, is designed for students with little or no previous study of the Italian language. May sessions students will have a requirement of 4 semesters of Italian. Take classes in art, language, business, psychology and culture in a 15th Century palazzo adorned with murals and statues. Just steps from Santa Croce and a short walk to the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, and Ponte Vecchio, the resources of the city enrich your studies. The warm and friendly Florentines are happy to encourage your language acquisition, and Florence's central location makes it easy to explore the rest of Italy, as well as other European countries.
About the Program Sponsor: Learning Abroad Center
Learning Abroad Center sponsored programs are:
- Affordable: our programs are cost effective.
- Academically strong: many programs have strong University of Minnesota departmental support and offer pre-approved courses for many majors.
- Culturally rich: regardless of the program you choose, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture.
- Expertly managed: our staff in Minnesota and abroad are trained professionals and are always available to answer your questions from pre-departure to reentry. Your safety and well-being are paramount, and we work hard to ensure you have a rewarding, and safe, experience abroad.
As the on-site staff, the Centers for Academic Programs Abroad (CAPA) provides students housing, program classrooms, study areas, and arranges on-site orientation, program excursions, and social and cultural events. Italian faculty from universities in and around Florence provide all course instruction.
Housing
& Meals
You are housed in furnished student apartments or homestays for the Language & Culture track. Each apartment
has two to four bedrooms, with two students per room
and no more than eight students per apartment. Apartments
include fully-equipped kitchens. Some meals are included in homestays. Internship track students will be housed in homestays.
Excursions
& Social Activities
Cultural field trips within Florence and a trip to Sienna
and San Gimignano are included in the program fee. Entrances
for the group to the Uffizi and Academia are also included.
Additionally, each student has access to the Harold
Acton Library of the British Institute.
Contact a Past Participant
Below is a list of students who participated in past program sessions. They are ready and willing to answer your questions about this program. Feel free to contact additional participants during your decision-making process or anytime during your pre-departure preparation to get a student perspective.
- Rebecca B—Art history and French major, psychology minor, fall semester 2007, apartment
- Holly G—Human resources and industrial relations major, fall semester 2007, apartment
- JP H—Mathematics major, fall semester 2007, homestay
- Seth H—Political science major, fall semester 2007, apartment
- Leah J—Chemical engineering major, Italian minor, fall semester 2007, apartment
Access Abroad
Persons with disabilities or special needs are encouraged to explore opportunities abroad. The Learning Abroad Center and Disability Services are collaborating to enhance access to study abroad for students with disabilities. Go to the Access Abroad web page for more information.
Last modified on July 31, 2008 |
Last modified on July 31, 2008 |