SAI and AUF are pleased to offer high school and pre-college students from all academic backgrounds the possibility of earning 6 college credits and living in one of the most treasured centers of art, culture and history in the world, Italy. Students will experience Italian culture hands-on while participating in a variety of classes in the arts and humanities in this summer enrichment program. All classes will be taken alongside college students also attending AUF.
Application open until: April 22, 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
- Included excursions and daily activities
- Large and varied selection of courses
Program Dates
July 21 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.
Digital Imaging and Visual Arts | Internet Technology
Fashion, Accessories and Tech | Accessory Design & Technology
Fashion, Accessories and Tech | Fashion Design & Technology
Global Studies | Anthropology
Global Studies | Urban Studies
Interior Design, Environmental Architecture, and Sustainability | Interior and Industrial Design
Italian Studies and Linguistics | Italian Cultural Studies
Italian Studies and Linguistics | Italian Language
Italian Studies and Linguistics | Italian Literature
Journalism, Communication, and Publishing | Creative Advertising
Journalism, Communication, and Publishing | Publishing
Liberal Arts | Art History
Liberal Arts | English Composition and Creative Writing
Liberal Arts | Philosophy
Life Studies and Human Services | Health Humanities
Life Studies and Human Services | Sociology
Recent years have seen the evolution and revolution in business communication. The birth of the web was the inspiration that led to a different way of relating between companies and customers. Approaches led to a constant customer participation in the creation and development of the business image. Web marketing is based on techniques and principles applicable to all sectors and also suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises up to now often cut off from mass media because of the enormous budget required. But the web is not just sites, in recent years social networks have pointed the way towards a clear undisputed sway. Communication on social networks isn’t only about purchasing advertising as in traditional media or even on most websites. The social is the most striking feature of what is called Web 2.0: the network of conversations; and the conversations don’t occur only among customers, but must exist between the company and customers to stimulate the most powerful communication tool: word of mouth. A company that does not speak with customers is bound to be forgotten.
Recent years have seen the evolution and revolution in business communication. The birth of the web was the inspiration that led to a different way of relating between companies and customers. Approaches led to a constant customer participation in the creation and development of the business image. Web marketing is based on techniques and principles applicable to all sectors and also suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises up to now often cut off from mass media because of the enormous budget required. But the web is not just sites, in recent years social networks have pointed the way towards a clear undisputed sway. Communication on social networks isn’t only about purchasing advertising as in traditional media or even on most websites. The social is the most striking feature of what is called Web 2.0: the network of conversations; and the conversations don’t occur only among customers, but must exist between the company and customers to stimulate the most powerful communication tool: word of mouth. A company that does not speak with customers is bound to be forgotten.
The first of a two part series on magazine production, lifestyle Magazine I gives students a professional magazine production experience in an academic course. Students, under the supervision of faculty members, will curate every phase of production brainstorming, design, writing, photos, editing, layouts, production and distribution of a full color lifestyle magazine produced by the institution. the magazine and its semester format will represent the students approach to living in Florence and topics such as the arts, gastronomy, travel, style, city scenes, etc from a cutting edge perspective that seeks to challenge and go beyond the surface of a city. this project requires additional hours outside of regularly scheduled class times.
This course investigates the pillars of information security and risk analysis, providing students with the technical and linguistic skills necessary to understand how cyber threats and vulnerabilities are controlled and mitigated by state and non-state actors. Students will become familiar with the political, social, and economic governance of cyberspace, while exploring notions such as security, privacy, transparency, and confidentiality. The exploration of methods employed for information security, such as encryption, will be assessed in relation to ethical considerations. The course comprises the analysis of a variety of case-studies to allow students to interlink theory and practice, and envision the dynamics and impacts of cybersecurity on real-life scenarios.
The fundamental aspects of accessory design allow students to learn the drawing and rendering techniques which represent materials and textures for handbags, belts, gloves, shoes and hats. Starting from sketches and basic technical drawing techniques students develop skills to enable them to use several drawings methodologies.
This hands-on course will take students from the rudimentary skills and techniques necessary both in terms of mechanized and hand techniques to allow for the creation of simple cotton garments. In the second level the focus will shift to complex design strategies and construction which are most frequently employed as industry standards.
This course builds on and extends fundamental skills developed in the beginner course. Emphasis is placed on developing fluency skills and integration of language and culture through more extensive reading and writing. After taking this course, students will be able to express polite requests using the Present conditional, making future plans using the Future tense and develop their language ability by using direct and indirect object pronouns. This course is aimed at students who already have a basic vocabulary of Italian and some knowledge of elementary language structures. *FUA policy requires that when less than 4 students enroll in an Italian language class, the class will be taught at reduced contact hours. With less students the instructor is able to cover the same program in less time, while also providing more individualized attention.
This introductory art history course will take students through seven centuries of Italian and European art from the classical Greek and Roman world period up to and including the eighteenth century. Special emphasis will be given to Florentine and Italian art of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries and to the ‘golden age’ of the Renaissance period. This course is aimed at students who have not taken a history of western art course before. Slide lectures will alternate with on-site teaching in Florence, including architectural walking tours and visits to museums, churches and palaces.
The study of Italian culture helps the student to acquire a deep awareness of both cultural unity and regional diversity. This course is intended to provide students with an in-depth introduction to Italian culture and to broaden ones awareness and understanding of the role of cultural heritage in customs and lifestyles. Lectures will provide students with an organized, focused, and academic understanding of Italian history, art, architecture, food, religion and culture. The course provides additional enrichment through basic notions of Italian language and terminology along with assigned readings and a final paper. On-site teaching is a significant part of this course and is aimed to provide the student with an incomparable experience of studying important sites of artistic architectural and social relevance in present-day Italy. Students are encouraged to observe the sites through active participation and to discuss their observations using specific and analytic social assessment skills. Florence only.
One semester of Italian language or equivalent. Unofficial transcript submission required.
The first of a two-part series on magazine production, this course gives students a professional magazine production experience as an academic course. Students, under the supervision of faculty members, will curate every phase of production brainstorming, design, writing, photos, editing, layouts, production, and distribution of a professional lifestyle magazine produced by the institution. The magazine and its semiannual format will represent the student’s approach to living in Florence and topics such as the arts, gastronomy, travel, style, city scenes, etc. from a cutting edge perspective that seeks to challenge and go beyond the surface of a city. Course projects and activities will interact with the journalism activities of Blending, the magazine of FUA’s campus press Ingorda. This project requires additional hours outside of regularly scheduled class times. This class includes experiential learning with CEMI.
This course examines the ethics of medical practices and issues in contemporary society. Coursework will pose questions regarding areas that affect human life and death. Topics include practices such as euthanasia, birth control and abortion, cloning, genetic engineering, and biomedical research. Students will analyze the ethical nature of covered practices, how they affect humans on individual and social scales, and the relationship between patients and physicians and medical structures in terms of information, consent, and responsibility. Case studies from local European as well as non-European countries will be closely considered for discussion and study.
This course examines the ethics of medical practices and issues in contemporary society. Coursework will pose questions regarding areas that affect human life and death. Topics include practices such as euthanasia, birth control and abortion, cloning, genetic engineering, and biomedical research. Students will analyze the ethical nature of covered practices, how they affect humans on individual and social scales, and the relationship between patients and physicians and medical structures in terms of information, consent, and responsibility. Case studies from local European as well as non-European countries will be closely considered for discussion and study.
The lectures will provide students with an organized, focused, and academically rich understanding of the History art, architecture, and culture of Italy. The course provides additional enrichment through contextual use of Italian language and terminology along with assigned readings and a final reflective paper.
This course will examine excerpts of Dante Alighieri’s greatest passages from the Divine Comedy and other works in relation to the space and history of Florence. Textual analyses will be performed, unpacking the dense symbolism and motifs reflective of the intellectual and moral climate during 14th century Florence. Students will visit churches, piazzas, and palaces within the city and will examine these locations in the context of Dante’s life and surrounding controversy, the accusations and denunciations in his writings, the physical descriptions of the city, and the characters and historical figures present in his works. The classroom approach of this course is based on experiencing the city of Florence as the academic space for learning and engagement. Classes are not held in a traditional, frontal-style setting; each lesson is carefully mapped for curricular content and featured locations: lectures, observations, exercises, analysis, and reflections on presented topics are held in relevant sites that are accounted for in the academic planning, syllabus, and related course material. Coursework and submissions will be regularly assessed on the MyFUA platform through daily assignments in addition to exams, papers, and projects. Learning through the on-site classroom approach fosters a deeper understanding of the cultural environment of Florence and how it is related to the subject of study represented by the course, and allows the overall experience to contribute to the students’ academic and personal enrichment.
The study of Italian culture helps the student to acquire a deep awareness of both cultural unity and regional diversity. This course is intended to provide students with an in-depth introduction to Italian culture and to broaden ones awareness and understanding of the role of cultural heritage in customs and lifestyles. Lectures will provide students with an organized, focused, and academic understanding of Italian history, art, architecture, food, religion and culture. The course provides additional enrichment through basic notions of Italian language and terminology along with assigned readings and a final paper. On-site teaching is a significant part of this course and is aimed to provide the student with an incomparable experience of studying important sites of artistic architectural and social relevance in present-day Italy. Students are encouraged to observe the sites through active participation and to discuss their observations using specific and analytic social assessment skills. Florence only.
This is an introductory course on the planning and furnishing of interiors. the course will discuss both the technical (architectural drawing, plans, facades, sectional drawing, space planning, color development, etc.) and the theoretical. Students will also be given an overview of the history of interior design, technology and materials. Field trips are an integral part of the course curriculum.
This course will examine excerpts of Dante Alighieri’s greatest passages from the Divine Comedy and other works in relation to the space and history of Florence. Textual analyses will be performed, unpacking the dense symbolism and motifs reflective of the intellectual and moral climate during 14th century Florence. Students will visit churches, piazzas, and palaces within the city and will examine these locations in the context of Dante’s life and surrounding controversy, the accusations and denunciations in his writings, the physical descriptions of the city, and the characters and historical figures present in his works.
The study of Italian culture helps the student to acquire a deep awareness of both cultural unity and regional diversity. This course is intended to provide students with an in-depth introduction to Italian culture and to broaden ones awareness and understanding of the role of cultural heritage in customs and lifestyles. Lectures will provide students with an organized, focused, and academic understanding of Italian history, art, architecture, food, religion and culture. The course provides additional enrichment through basic notions of Italian language and terminology along with assigned readings and a final paper. On-site teaching is a significant part of this course and is aimed to provide the student with an incomparable experience of studying important sites of artistic architectural and social relevance in present-day Italy. Students are encouraged to observe the sites through active participation and to discuss their observations using specific and analytic social assessment skills. Florence only.
This course develops basic conversation, reading and writing skills. Equal focus will be given to grammatical structures, vocabulary and conversation skills. Students will develop a vocabulary that will enable them to engage in simple but useful everyday conversations, thus enhancing and supporting their Italian experience. After taking this course, students will be able to express themselves in the Present tense, Passato Prossimo and to use both nouns and adjectives in the correct form with reference to gender and number. Emphasis will be given to oral expression of practical vocabulary and newly acquired grammar structures. This level is for absolute beginner students who have never studied Italian before.
The Pre-College Summer program is designed to give high school students the opportunity to study alongside college students while earning college credit abroad. Students spend three unforgettable weeks living and studying in the heart of Florence. Students enroll in two elective courses for a total of 6 credits. The program includes staff dedicated to the student group: 1 staff member for every 7 students. In addition, staff members stay with students in accommodations (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 [PDF].
| Pre-Departure Calendar | |
|---|---|
| April 22 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 22 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. |
| May 6 2025 |
Enrollment Closes Students must complete their enrollment, including paying deposits, by this date. |
| May 22 2025 |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due |
| On-Site Calendar | |
|---|---|
| July 21 20254 |
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 22 2025 |
AUF Orientation Students are introduced to FUA, available resources, and their professors. |
| July 23 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: 3 weeks / 6 credits Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included). |
$7,000 |
| 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.