- Italy
- Florence
About Program
Spend a summer, semester or academic year in Florence with AIFS Abroad. Earn up to 16 credits studying from Fairfield University. No previous Italian language study is required.
Select the Traditional Academic Program to begin or advance your Italian language and select courses from a variety of subjects. During Spring semester, a Fashion Management and Marketing Program is also available.
The program includes a one-week orientation. Fall semester orientation is on the coast of Tuscany, while orientation for spring semester is in Rome.
Live in an Italian homestay or a shared student apartment. Both housing options include a meal plan.
You’ll enjoy cultural and social activities including:
• Guided city walks
• Visits to museums
• Italian cooking classes
• Day trips to Pisa, Lucca and the Vespa Factory.
Fall students take a 3-day trip to Rome. Spring students take a 5-day trip to Rome. All students enjoy 2-days in Venice and a day trip to Siena.
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Diversity & Inclusion 💙
BIPOC Support
We encourage you to think about what matters most to you as you explore your program options.
LGBTQIA+ Support
Each person brings their own background and perspective, and that matters when choosing a program and a destination. Taking time to reflect on your identity and learning about the experiences of others is a meaningful part of going abroad.
Everyone’s journey is different, and where you go can shape how included and comfortable you feel. As you explore your options, we hope the information below helps you find the program and location that feel right for you.
Accessibility Support
Impact 🌎
Sustainability
Program Highlights
- Earn up to 16 credits and transcript issued by Fairfield University
- Internship opportunities available
- No previous Italian language study required
- 3-day trip to Rome (Fall) or 5-day trip to Rome (Spring) & 2-day visit to Venice
- Meal vouchers for five breakfasts (or lunches) and five dinners a week in specified local restaurants
Popular Programs
Spend the summer in the classic city of Florence, Italy with AIFS Abroad ! You’ll earn up to 10 credits from Fairfield University. Courses are taught in English or Italian with no previous Italian language study required.
In Florence, you’ll enjoy cultural activities such as:
• Museum visits
• Concerts, operas and ballets
• Cheese tasting
• Gelato tasting
• Food and wine pairing
• Day trips to Pisa, Cinque Terre, Siena and the Tuscan coast.
Students enroll in the following required courses: INTN 310 International Internship (3 credits) and SOCI 360 Italian Culture and Traditions (3 credits). In addition, students also enroll in 2 3-credit courses from the regular offering of courses on the Traditional Academic Program. Students may also add a 1-credit optional Italian Art: Selected Topics course, taught primarily during the field trips to Rome and Venice for a maximum of course load of 13 credits.
Earn 3 credits studying either Art History, Painting, Photography, Food Culture and Fashion Communication, all taught in English. Italian Language is also available. Florence itself plays a vital role in your study and becomes your open-air classroom with fascinating hands-on experiences. The art classes will make great use of Florence’s beautiful scenery with classes on location around the city and unforgettable walking tours to capture all the hidden treasures.
Questions & Answers
Location
Gelato festival is April should be enough to get your attention, but this won't be the only thing that keeps you coming back for more. Florence sits in the Tuscany region and is regarded for its artistic history and worldly views.
Yes, this program is open to seniors.