Students can gain a competitive edge on their college applications by completing the SAI pre-college program at The American University of Florence (AUF), earning 6 credits of academic coursework paired with 3 credits of hands-on experiential learning, for a total of 9 college credits. Participants will experience Italian culture while living in one of the world’s most treasured centers for art, culture, and history, Italy. During this supervised program, students will attend classes alongside other college students from AUF, providing a unique opportunity for interaction and learning in an academic university environment.
Application open until: April 1, 2025
Apps accepted on a rolling basis, and after closing as space permits
Application Requirements
Complete online application
Personal statement (300-500 words)
Official transcript
2 Academic letters of recommendation
Italian privacy consent form
Highlights
- 3-credits of hands-on experiential learning
- Career focused pathways or custom option
- Cultural excursions and daily activities
Program Dates
June 30, 2025 – August 8, 2025
Eligibility Requirements
Age: 15 to 18
Academic Year: Currently enrolled in high school or recent graduate.
* contact SAI if you don’t meet requirements
High School GPA:* 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
English Language:* Non-native English language speakers must submit TOEFL: 500+ (paper-based), IELTS: 5+, OOPT: 50+, or equivalent.
The Pre-College Summer B program at The American University of Florence (AUF) is designed to give high school students the opportunity for focused study alongside college students while earning college credit abroad. Students spend six unforgettable weeks living and studying in the heart of Florence, enrolling in three courses, for a total of 9 credits. One of these courses will be a Special Project Experiential Learning (SPEL) course, offering students an internship-like experience where they learn skills in a real-world setting. The program includes staff dedicated to the student group: 1 staff member for every 7 students, and staff members stay in the same accommodations with students (1 staff member for every 10 students at night), in order to be available 24 hours per day. The program includes planned activities and excursions for a rich social and cultural experience, as well as two meals per day. All courses are taught in English, and take students out into the city for first-hand experiences. View a sample program itinerary
Pathways
The pathways are carefully crafted sequences of courses designed to guide students through a focused area of study within their academic journey. These pathways align with specific disciplines, offering a blend of foundational courses, specialized classes, and hands-on projects. Each pathway includes one course from AUF’s Summer Session III, one course from Session IV, and a 6-week Special Project Experiential Learning (SPEL) course from Session B. This structure ensures a balanced educational experience, combining theoretical knowledge with practical, real-world application, and setting students on a clear path toward their academic and career goals.
Students have the option to customize their own pathway to better align with their individual interests and their career aspirations. This flexibility allows students to tailor their educational experience, ensuring they gain the most relevant skills and knowledge for their future endeavors.
Marketing Pathway
Session III: Introduction to Marketing
Session IV: Digital Marketing
Session B (SPEL): Special Project: Experiential Learning in Digital Communication
Information Technology Pathway
Session III: Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence
Session IV: Information Security and Risk Analysis
Session B (SPEL): Special Project: Experiential Learning in ICT Operations
Pre-Med Pathway
Session III: History of Western Medicine
Session IV: Biomedical Ethics OR Public Health: Policy and Community
Session B (SPEL): Special Project: Experiential Learning in the Local Community
Art Pathway
Session III: Gallery and Exhibition Curating
Session IV: Introduction to Art History
Session B (SPEL): Special Project: Experiential Learning in Fine Arts – Gallery Assistant
Customized Pathway
Session III: Select a course of your choice
Session IV: Select a course of your choice
Session B (SPEL): Select a Special Project: Experiential Learning course of your choice
| Pre-Departure Calendar | |
|---|---|
| April 1 2025 |
Application Closes Applications accepted after closing as space permits. |
| Within 1 week of acceptance |
SAI Deposits Due $500 Enrollment Deposit (applied toward program fee) $300 Security Deposit (refundable) |
| March 15 2025 |
SAI Scholarship Application Deadline Students wishing to apply for a SAI scholarship must have all application items submitted by 11:59pm Pacific Time on this date. |
| April 1 2025 |
50% of Total Program Fee Due Students who are accepted and submit SAI deposits after this date will have an amended pay schedule. 50% of the Program Fee will be due within 5 business days, based on the deposit payment date. |
| April 15 2025 |
Enrollment Closes Students must complete their enrollment, including paying deposits, by this date. |
| May 1 2025 |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due |
| On-Site Calendar | |
|---|---|
| June 30 2025 |
Arrival & Housing Check-in Students arrive at Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola (FLR). Airport pickup is provided between 9:00am and 5:00pm, and students are transferred to housing. |
| July 1 2025 |
AUF Orientation Students are introduced to AUF, available resources, and their professors. |
| July 2 2025 |
AUF Classes Begin |
| August 7 2025 |
AUF Classes End |
| August 8 2024 |
Program End & Housing Check-out Students check out of housing between 7:00am and 10:00am. Return transportation to Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola (FLR) is provided. |
| SAI Program Fees* | USD |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $120 |
| Security Deposit Refundable at the end of the term. |
$300 |
| Program Fee: 6 weeks / 9 credits Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included). |
$11,500 |
| Optional / Additional Fees: | |
| US School of Record Transcript For students wishing to receive US college credit for their courses. |
$235 |
| International Mailing Supplement When applicable, students are charged an international mailing supplement to ensure visa paperwork arrives in a timely manner. |
$90 |
*prices are subject to change
Please note that students who successfully complete this program will earn a $500 discount toward any future SAI 360° Services semester/quarter undergraduate programs.
| Budget | Low Est. | High Est. |
|---|---|---|
| Airfare |
$900 | $1,800 |
| Meals Includes groceries and eating out. |
$400 | $475 |
| Books & Supplies Per course |
$50 | $150 |
| Personal Expenses | $200 | $350 |
This is a SAI 360° Services Program; it includes our full services!
- Program tuition
- Accommodation in student housing with live-in Resident Assistants
- 2 meals per day
- Airport pickup and return
- Student health insurance providing full coverage and medical emergency evacuation
- Comprehensive orientation to the host city and school
- 24-hour on-site supervision and support
- Daily extracurricular activities designed to help you discover Florence and Italian culture
- US-based admissions counselor assigned to you, providing friendly assistance
- Helpful pre-departure tools and resources
- $500 return student discount to be used toward a semester/quarter SAI program
SAI offers all students the Viva Experience: frequent cultural activities, at no extra cost, for participants to get to know their community, city and country. Following is a sample of the activities included in this program. Please note that actual activities may differ. View a sample program itinerary [PDF].
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
AUF offers a rich and varied calendar of extracurricular activities to suit the diverse needs and interests of students. Following is a sample of these activities.
Connecting Cultures City Walks
Through guided walks through the most significant neighborhoods of Florence, students gain an understanding between the past and contemporary Florence, maximizing their experience by venturing into areas they might not explore on their own and connecting with the community.
Sports Night
This activity is a great way to keep in shape while expanding your knowledge of Italian fitness culture. Soccer is the mainstay of Italian athletics and the focus of our sports night. Even if you are not an athlete, everyone is welcome to both have fun on the field or just cheer on your classmates from the stands.
Musing Club
This activity offers an opportunity for students to explore the world of music and performing arts in Florence. Opera events, visits and performances are all part of this special club. Interested in expanding your knowledge of music or just seeing an exciting performance? This activity is for you!
Aperiganzo/Aperiat
Students join weekly art openings, book presentations and talks at AperiGanzo. This is a great opportunity to meet artists, authors and mingle with fellow classmates, AUF professors and members of the Italian community.
Blending Journalism
Blending is a journalistic collaboration that offers students the opportunity to express ideas through investigative and creative writing and photography. Writers, photographers, copy editors and graphic designers who are excited about publishing their experiences and perspectives gained in Florence, as well as novice writers who are just looking for a format to document their experience in Florence, are all welcome. Summer editions include two newsletters.
COURSE ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS
Courses in the schedule may feature one of the following two AUF learning methodologies that are an integral and mandatory component of the academic coursework. The methodologies are intended to engage students within the local culture and community through academically structured initiatives.
Experiential Learning
In addition to regular lecture hours, students will be involved in learning by doing through real projects and integration with the local population and territory in order to remove cultural and learning barriers as well as develop a strong likelihood for success in life. The experiential learning hours are fully supervised by instructions who track students step by step during their learning experience, monitor and advise according to student needs, and support student initiative. The unique learning model allows students to benefit from an all-encompassing educational experience based on theory and practice in real enterprises, learning of comprehensive operational processes, problem-solving, leadership, and management.
Field Learning
Field learning at AUF is a method of educating through first-hand experience. Skills, knowledge, and experience are acquired outside of the traditional academic classroom setting and may include field activities, field research, and service-learning projects. The field learning experience is cultural; because it is intended to be wide-reaching, field-related content is not limited to the course subject but seeks to supplement and enrich academic topics. Students will have the opportunity to integrate theory and practice while experiencing Italian culture, art, and community within the Italian territory. Faculty will lead students in experiencing Italian culture through guided projects and field experiences as planned for the course. Field learning will be developed through classroom preparation, follow up projects, and guided learning outcomes. Field learning will provide students with the opportunity to develop skills and appreciate the multifold components of Italian Culture through direct experience. Field education will advance student learning as a relationship-centered process.
Students enrolled in the pre-college program are offered safe and relaxing accommodations, fully equipped and monitored 24/7 by live-in Resident Assistants. Student housing is adjacent to the main school buildings and is located in the city center in large multi-bedroom apartments similar to dorm-style accommodations. All accommodations are a combination of shared rooms that will vary in the number of students per room. There are shared kitchens, air conditioning, and Wi-Fi throughout the building.
Passports
Passports should be valid for 3 months after planned departure from Italy.
Student Visas
In accordance with Italian law, U.S. students studying in Italy for 90 days or less are not required to obtain a student visa. Therefore all U.S. students do not require a student visa for this program. Non-US nationals should consult their local Consulate for information on student visa requirements.