Semester in Florence
Florence University of the Arts

Why 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 Bohème 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.

Location

Students are housed at The Social Hub (previously known as The Student Hotel) in Florence. All rooms are fully furnished with double rooms and private bathrooms. 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 for studying, flat-screen TV and high-speed Wi-Fi.

Meals

Optional meal plan at The Social Hub (TSH) includes 120 meals from the on-site bistro for an additional $950. This comes out to be approximately one meal per day at less than $8 per meal. Breakfast includes an unlimited buffet. Lunch and dinner include 1 dish from the Meal Plan menu + 1 soft drink.

Inclusions and Amenities

• 24-hour security
• BathroomEnsuite
• Fitness Center
• Kitchen Equipment
• LaundryOn-site
• Meal PlanOptional
• Study Areas
• Television
• Wi-Fi

Location

For some terms, students may be placed in apartments, which are close to campus and house 4-10 students total. All bedrooms will be based on double or triple occupancy. Apartments are fully-furnished with multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and living areas.

Watch Faith’s video tour of her Florence apartment to get an idea of what your housing could be like.

Inclusions and Amenities

• BathroomShared
• Bed linens
• CommutePublic TransportationWalking
• Desk
• Double Room
• Kitchen Equipment
• LaundryOn-site
• Triple Room
• Wi-Fi

Inclusions

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

• Two overnight excursions plus local excursions and activities
• 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
• The Local Life cultural program
• 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.