Location/Semester:
Florence, Italy. Spring Semester
Host Institution/Contact Information:
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Dr. Philip R. Hull, Director of Study Abroad
Ph: 507-457-1447
Email: phull@smumn.edu
Website of Host Institution:
www.smumn.edu/studyabroad
Program/University Overview:
The Study Abroad Italy (SAI) program in Florence enables students to take classes from a variety of subjects. Students will take most of their courses through Florence University of the Arts (FUA). The network of schools is located in the city center, and classes are limited to 25-30 students. (Studio Arts classes are less.) All classes are taught in English, and students have access to several computer labs, a library, and study lounges, and exercise facilities. Complementing the academic programs, students are encouraged to participate in extra-curricular programming sponsored by SAI and FUA. These include short weekend trips to nearby towns, or events during the week that highlight local culture. In particular, this program is well suited for students in Fine Arts (painting, sculpture, graphic design, drawing), the Humanities, and Business.
Website of Program/University:
http://www.saiprograms.com/florence/fua
Country and/or City Information: Admission Requirements: Courses Offered: Housing:
Florence has a population of 400,000 and is part of the region in Italy known as Tuscany, which is in Central Italy. The birthplace of The Renaissance, Florence is rich with history: home to the Medici family, Dante, Machiavelli, and numerous artists. Surrounded by the Tuscan hills, Florence is filled with open-air markets and known for its cuisine, as well as leather goods. The city ranks second only to Rome in its importance culturally, historically, and artistically for the Italian people.
Bordering Tuscany are the regions of Emilia-Romagna, Marche, Umbria and Lazio. The region of Tuscany covers almost 9,000 square miles and consists of rolling hills, mountains and rugged coastlines along the Mediterranean. With the new high-speed train system (mostly everyone takes those trains), Rome is 1.5 hours away and Milan is less than two hours away.
Sophomore status or higher; 2.75 GPA or higher
Students may choose from a wide variety of classes in the following disciplines: Business, Communication Studies, History, Literature, Religion, Studio Arts, Art History, Culinary Arts, Graphic Design, Fashion Design, Italian Language and Culture, Political Science, Philosophy.
Students live in the heart of Florence, usually within 20 minutes walking distance from classes. Accommodations are in apartments, typically sharing a flat with 2-6 other students. SAI does not have a meal plan, but students may go shopping at local markets and cook meals in kitchens. The school also has its own restaurant, where students may participate in a meal plan. A linen service is provided. Because the apartments are located throughout the city, students may be neighbors with other SAI students as well as Florentine families.
Cost:
If you are a student at one of the US Lasallian universities or colleges, you will remain enrolled at your school and pay tuition and program fees there. Tuition is based on your campus tuition rates and may include an additional surcharge depending on the program. Contact the person on your campus responsible for study abroad.
Scholarship Information:
SAI has both merit-based and need-based scholarships. Information on deadlines and application procedures may be found at http://www.saiprograms.com/about/scholarships.
Academic Calendar:
January 25-May 14, 2011
Application Deadline:
October 23; however, classes are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, so in order to ensure a good chance of getting all classes you hope to take, aim for a late-September/early October deadline.
Application Details:
Must complete Lasallian Consortium application (along with the Specific Application for this program).