Have an extended summer experience in the beautiful city of Florence. Students in FUA’s 12 week summer semester program are able to complete a large number of credits in the summer. Students select 3 to 4 courses from a wide range of liberal arts options for a total of 9 - 12 credits. Students are also able to complete a 3 credit internship as part of their summer program. Students can choose to add the 1 week program add-on course, Cultural Introduction to Italy, extending their program to 13 weeks.
Application: Closed
Application Requirements
Complete online application
Personal statement (300-500 words)
Official transcript
Passport scan (photo page)
Italian privacy consent form
Highlights
Program Dates
May 12, 2024 – August 2, 2024
dates may differ as a result of add-ons
Age: 18+
Academic Year: High school graduate or above
* Contact SAI if you don’t meet requirements
Cumulative GPA:* 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale)
English Language:* Non-native English language speakers must submit TOEFL: 500+ (paper-based), IELTS: 5+, OOPT: 50+, or equivalent.
Students enrolled in the summer semester program can apply for a part time 3-credit internship to be completed as part of the elective program. Students are placed in internships that complement their major or minor, and are supported by an internship supervisor. While Italian language proficiency is not required, it is helpful for expanding the placement options. At the completion of the internship students produce an analytical report that synthesizes what they have learned. For more information on internships see FUA Internships.
Experiential Learning
Many FUA courses incorporate experiential learning components, involving hands-on projects. Courses which include experiential learning components will include this information in the course details & syllabus. Students will work & collaborate within the FUA Community Engagement Member Institutions (CEMI) to fulfill various projects & tasks as part of their coursework. These practical assignments take place on-site and will occur outside of the regular class sessions, with varying shifts assigned from Monday to Friday (occasional weekend shifts possible), including the possibility of later evening hours.
Course Registration
Students can enroll in either 6 week courses or back-to-back 3 week courses. SAI students complete their course registration directly with FUA through the FUA student portal. Upon confirming enrollment in the SAI program at FUA, students receive information for creating their FUA student portal and selecting their classes. Note: All courses must meet the minimum enrollment of 12 students to run; therefore, all registrations require selection of an alternate course for each primary course choice.
FUA registration begins months ahead of the application deadline. Courses will fill on a rolling basis.
Program Add-on Course
SAI students enrolled in FUA’s Summer Semester are able to add the following 1 week Program Add-on course to the start of their term, to extend their programs by 1 week:
Students can also choose to pair this Add-on course with a corresponding regular summer course to earn 6 credits on the same topic. For more information and full course descriptions see Courses.
Pre-Departure Calendar | |
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February 12 2024 |
Application Closes Applications accepted after closing as space permits. |
Within 1 week of acceptance |
SAI Deposits Due $500 Confirmation Deposit (applied toward program fee) $300 Security Deposit (refundable) |
February 12 2024 |
50% of Total Program Fee Due Students who are accepted and submit SAI deposits after this date will have an amended pay schedule. Either 50% or 100% of Program Fee will be due within 5 business days, based on the deposit payment date. |
February 26 2024 |
Enrollment Closes Students must complete their enrollment, including paying deposits, by this date. |
February 27 2024 |
SAI Financial Aid Verification Deadline Students wishing to defer payment until financial aid disbursement must submit the financial aid verification forms to SAI by this date. |
March 13 2024 |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due |
On-Site Calendar | |
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May 12 2024* |
Arrival & Housing Check-in Students arrive at Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola (FLR). SAI airport pickup is provided between 9:00am and 6:00pm, and students are transferred to SAI housing. |
May 13 2024 |
Orientation Events Students are welcomed to the program with an orientation that introduces them to their program while covering safety, policies, academics, housing, and culture. |
May 13 2024 |
FUA Final Registration Course changes are not allowed after this date. |
May 14 2024 |
FUA Classes Begin |
August 1 2024 |
Final Exams |
August 2 2024 |
Program End & Housing Check-out Students must move out of SAI housing by 10:00am to return home or pursue independent travel. |
* Students adding the Cultural Introduction to Italy course arrive in Rome (FCO airport) on May 5 2024 by 12:00 pm
SAI Program Fees* | USD |
---|---|
Application Fee | $120 |
Security Deposit Refundable at the end of the term. |
$300 |
Program Fee: 9 credits Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included). |
$11,600 |
Program Fee: 12 credits Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included). |
$12,800 |
Optional / Additional Fees: | |
Optional Add-on Course (3 credits) 1 week course prior to regular program, includes housing. |
$2,600 |
Optional Private Room Housing Supplement Private room in a shared apartment, with a shared bathroom. |
$3,200 |
Optional Homestay Housing Supplement Homestay housing in private occupancy room. Includes daily breakfast and weekday dinner. |
Contact SAI |
Add-on Course Credits Fee for enrollment over 6, 9 or 12 credits. |
$550 / credit |
Add-on Non-Credit and Field Learning Courses Fees vary and are paid directly to FUA. |
Contact SAI |
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
Note: certain SAI-affiliated US universities require specific payment arrangements. These may require that some fees are paid by the student directly to SAI, and other fees are paid to SAI by the affiliated university on behalf of the student. If you attend an SAI-affiliated university please contact your study abroad office or speak with your SAI Admissions Counselor for details.
Budget | Low Est. | High Est. |
---|---|---|
Airfare to/from Florence |
$950 | $1,800 |
Books |
$50 / course | $100 / course |
Course Fees & Supplies |
$50 / course | $300 / course |
Meals Includes groceries and eating out. |
$650 / month | $800 / month |
Personal Expenses | $300 / month | $400 / month |
Transportation within Florence Public transportation with some taxi rides. |
$100 / month | $175 / month |
Weekend Travel Cost varies greatly by student. |
$300 / month | $1,000 / month |
This is a SAI 360° Services Program; it includes our full services!
Pre-departure and Re-entry services
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.
Welcome Dinner
SAI welcomes students to Florence with a buffet of traditional Italian delights to mingle and get to know participants.
Practical Walking Tour
SAI takes students on a practical walking tour of Florence’s historic city center to get oriented with their new home.
Hike to Piazzale Michelangelo
Located just outside the old city walls, Piazzale Michelangelo offers a bird’s eye view of the city of Florence. Students hike to the top, stopping along the way for gelato. As the sun sets over the city, the group can experience the centuries-old Vespers ceremonial chanting by Cistercian monks in the crypt of the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte.
Pizza Making Class
In this activity, students enjoy an Italian pizza-making lesson taught by a local expert chef. Each lesson teaches students how to make authentic Italian pizza from scratch. At the end of the lesson everyone gets to feast on their own homemade pizza!
Wine Tasting
Students spend an afternoon learning about and tasting great wines, perfectly paired with Tuscan specialties.
Market Tour
The market tour begins in a charming café where students sip on a cappuccino and learn about Italian coffee rituals. Then, the group takes a tour of the historic Florentine food market and gourmet shops, and learns how to navigate a Florentine market with some tips and insight for how to spot the best products.
Italian Cooking Lessons
SAI offers Italian cooking lessons throughout the term taught by a local expert Chef. Each lesson teaches students how to make typical Tuscan dishes and includes an appetizer, first course, and dessert. At the end of the lesson students feast on their own homemade Italian meal!
Summer Musical Event
Students attend one of the relaxing outdoor summer operas, concerts, or performances that take place in Florence’s many museum courtyards and public gardens.
Walking Tour of Fiesole
SAI takes students on a walking tour of the hill town of Fiesole, a short bus ride from the center of Florence. Fiesole is the site of the ancient Etruscan settlement that later extended down the hill to become Florence. Traces of that period are still visible in Fiesole as seen in the Roman theatre, built along the slope of the hill. Fiesole’s clean, cool breezes have long been a welcome escape from the sweltering summer heat of the Arno Valley and this spot on the hill, with its awesome views of the city below, has been a source of inspiration for many artists, writers and thinkers.
Farewell Evening
Students celebrate the end of a successful term abroad and say their goodbyes over a delicious Italian meal.
The following housing options apply to the regular summer program. Please note that add-on pre-session courses have different housing arrangements during the pre-session time only.
Standard Housing: Student apartment
SAI student apartments are convenient and well equipped, with shared occupancy bedrooms (option to upgrade to private bedroom, if available). Typical residences house 2 – 8 students and contain a combination of private and shared bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and living areas. Furnishings, a washing machine, basic kitchen supplies, bed linens and towels are provided. All apartments are equipped with wireless Internet. Housing configurations are designated as female, male, and in some locations, gender-inclusive. SAI on-site staff is available to respond to any maintenance needs that may arise.
Optional Housing: Family homestay (additional fee applies)
SAI homestay families are thoroughly screened and are accustomed to welcoming visiting students into their homes. Homestays provide a private bedroom, with a shared bathroom, in the family home with basic furnishings. Daily breakfast and weekday dinner are included (no dinner on weekends). Please note that some homestays may be outside of the city center and require a commute to reach school.
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.
Please note: Students who add the pre-session 1 week course will have program dates just under the 90 day maximum to not require a visa. These students cannot do any other travel prior to or after their program, otherwise they will be exceeding 90 days in the Schengen area.