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CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Florence, Italy

Name: CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Florence, Italy
Brand: CEA CAPA Education Abroad
SKU: 15324
Rating: 4.91 (163 reviews)

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CEA CAPA Education Abroad

4.91 (163 reviews)

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CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Florence, Italy

CEA CAPA Education Abroad

4.91 · 163 reviews

Community Choice Award Winner

Location

Italy
- Florence

Term

Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter

Subject Areas

Advertising Anthropology Art History Arts Business Communications Cultural Studies Design English Fashion Design Film Gender Studies Graphic Design History Humanities Journalism Liberal Arts Linguistics Literature Marketing Performing Arts Philosophy Photography Psychology Social Sciences Sociology Visual Arts +17

Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans, Work study, LGBTQIA+ funding, BIPOC funding

Health & Safety

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Program Details

Program Type

Provider

Degree Level

High School Diploma Associates Bachelors

Housing

Apartment Host Family

Language

English

Pricing

Price Details

Included: Personalized Pre-departure Advising; Tuition & Registration; Travel Medical Insurance; On-site Orientation; Housing; Volunteer Opportunities; On-site Staff Support; Excursions and Cultural Engagement; Host Institution Services & Amenities and more. Scholarships available.

What's Included

Some Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Classes

Last Updated: Sep 29, 2025

Last Reviewed: May 26, 2026

Wish List

117 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Capital of Italy’s Tuscany region and known as “the Cradle of the Renaissance,” Florence has long been a source of inspiration for visionaries such as Galileo Galilei, Leonardo da Vinci, and Niccolò Machiavelli. It is known for the Cathedral on the Pizza del Duomo, a domed edifice engineered by Fillipo Brunelleschi, which includes an iconic bell tower rising high above the city. This once-Roman city, established by Julius Ceasar in 59 BC and steeped in history, is the present home to some the worlds top fashion designers and major wine labels.

The CEA CAPA Florence Center offers a variety of learning opportunities in English and Italian where you get to explore the city with your professors as guides.

Interested? Click the “Visit Site” button to learn what’s waiting for you!

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COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

Students praise the program for its supportive staff, immersive cultural experiences, and engaging classes that connect learning with Florence’s rich history.

AI-generated summary from verified community reviews Read reviews →

Program Highlights

Hands-on learning experiences that transform the world abroad into a classroom
Personalized Pre-Departure Advising, including visa and immigration support
Courses offered in English that fulfill major and general graduation requirements
Comprehensive on-site support, including 24/7 emergency phone
Career workshops, Internships Abroad, and Alumni Ambassador positions

Video and Photos

CEA Study Abroad Students in Florence, Italy

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Diversity & Inclusion 💙

BIPOC Support

CEA CAPA provides, in conjunction with Diversity Abroad, Destination Guides which provide resources and tips for Black/African-American students, Latinx students, Asian American students, and all other students of color.

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LGBTQIA+ Support

Through our personalized advising, CEA CAPA takes steps to understand the needs of a diversity of student identities like the LGBTQIA+ community. In addition to diversity and identity training, CEA CAPA leadership engage in continuous department level project work to identify and revise policies and practices using the appropriate Justice, Equity, Diversity or Inclusion lens as a frame to reduce bias and barriers that impact students, faculty, and staff. CEA CAPA is intentional in elevating diverse student voices and providing a platform for a broad array of identities to share their experiences abroad. The CEA CAPA World Blog promotes stories and personal experiences from the perspectives of diverse student bloggers and vloggers.

Neurodivergent Support

CEA CAPA is willing and able to assist students with learning disabilities and physical disabilities. Students are requested to disclose disabilities through the application health forms as part of their application and in discussion with their application advisor or program manager. The earlier CEA CAPA is made aware of learning or physical disabilities the better we can work with the student, institution, and overseas team to tailor an Individualized Education Program if necessary to support the student.

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Impact 🌎

Sustainability

CEA CAPA makes a conscious effort to create study abroad experiences that leave a positive impact on host communities. Each location implements a variety of strategies to support the local community and promote sustainability. Examples include:

Use of recycling bins in Study Center locations and in CEA CAPA housing

Signage in CEA CAPA housing urging students to limit water and electricity usage

Students are often given reusable bags and water bottles upon arrival to limit single plastic use

Students are provided with instructions for acquiring transportation passes to promote use of public transportation rather than taxis

Program Reviews

4.91 Rating

based on 163 reviews

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Rating Spread Study

5 rating 94.48%
4 rating 4.29%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 1.23%

Academics 4.2
Support 4.8
Fun 4.85
Housing 4.6
Safety 4.7

Good for Students, Foodies, Photographers

Showing 9 - 16 of 163 reviews

My study abroad experience in Florence was truly transformative and I want to help others have the same opportunity to grow academically, culturally, and personally. Studying in Florence was not just about attending classes, it was about fully immersing myself in a culture that was unfamiliar and entirely new! Learning about the enriched history deeply rooted in Florence at every corner deepened my appreciation for Italian culture. One of the most rewarding aspects of my experience was the connections I made with my professors. They truly encouraged me to explore beyond the classroom. My Italian professor, in particular, played a significant role in helping me immerse myself in both the language and the culture. I was able to practice Italian daily, from casual conversations in restaurants to meaningful discussions with my relatives in Italy. Being able to communicate with my Italian family in their native language added a depth to my experience that I will always hold close to my heart. Navigating a new city, making friends from all over the world, and engaging with the local community led me to have a remarkable experience.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

I would say take in every moment, study abroad goes by way too fast. Eat all of the pasta, try new things, speak Italian, and make new friends. Soak up every moment and don't take living abroad for granted!

Pros

Friendly Staff/Teachers
Fun City
Safe Environment

Cons

Smaller City
Touristy
Expensive Travel

Studying abroad with CEA CAPA in Florence, Italy was an unforgettable experience. Florence is an incredibly walkable city that feels like a small big city you get comfortable quickly, but there’s always something new to explore. From the culture and history to everyday moments like finding favorite cafés, it truly felt immersive.

What stood out most to me was the strong sense of community. The CEA CAPA staff were extremely supportive and always willing to help, which made adjusting to life abroad much easier. One of my favorite experiences was participating in a soccer tournament against other universities and study abroad programs, which helped me connect with students from all over the world.

While adjusting to a slower pace of life took some time, it ultimately helped me grow and appreciate the experience even more. Overall, this program pushed me outside my comfort zone and helped me become more independent and confident. I would highly recommend CEA CAPA Florence to anyone looking for a meaningful and well-supported study abroad experience.

Pros

Supportive and friendly CEA CAPA staff who are always willing to help and truly care about students.
Florence is a very walkable city with endless cultural, historical, and social experiences it feels immersive but manageable.
Strong sense of community, including opportunities to connect with other students through events like the soccer tournament with other universities and programs.

Cons

No beach
Adjusting to the slower pace of life

Going abroad with CEA CAPA was one of the most influential things I have ever done in my life. Every professor and staff member I had an interaction with was so amazing and they truly wanted the best for you. The housing I received with CEA was also so amazing and I couldn't have asked for a better place to call home. Going on excursions with CEA were so special and amazing to have a day trip all ready planned was so nice and relaxing to be able to explore new places. My time abroad was so special and CEA CAPA had such a huge influence on that time.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?

One thing I would change if I was to go again was to never say no to anything. Although I said yes to doing many things I wish that I didn't think twice about it and went for it, no matter how much it scared me.

I absolutely loved my time abroad in Florence. Everyone is extremely kind and welcoming and they will support you through whatever may arise. The staff are friendly and really make an effort to get to know you. The classes are fun and engaging. The program offers so many free trips, activities, and opportunities to make the most of your time abroad. It was tricky because with Florence not being a main airport, you had to navigate around that to get places. However, the high speed trains were cheap, super helpful, and quick (unless there was a train strike). It was the best spring of my life!!

What was your funniest moment?

The funniest moment was definitely when the shower in our apartment wouldn't turn off (for 3 hours)!! I had to call the CEA CAPA emergency line and talk to them and the plumber in my towel. Even worse, the plumber only spoke Italian! Great way to practice my language skills, but maybe not the best time... lol!

Pros

everyone is so kind!
ability to travel around

Cons

housing options differ
class options were limited

It is challenging to think of words to describe this chapter of my life. My time with CEA CAPA was so full. We went on adventures as a community of students from all over the country. We travelled to places around italy and learned with our hands dirty and our "R"s rolling. There was no shortage of support from the staff, both before the program started and while it was happening. To this day I feel that if I needed something, anyone on that staff would drop everything to make sure I was taken care of. This is not normal in the best way.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Stay open. The fun of this time is to have little to no expectations and just be open to what is in front of you. Jump in the water and trust that you will not drown.

Pros

Supportive staff
Fun adventures
INcreible city

Cons

Price
time difference from home
too short

As a nursing student, I was unsure if studying abroad would even be an option for me. While searching for programs, CEA CAPA's Florence, Italy program stuck out to me in a number of ways. Firstly, it would fulfill two requirements for my degree! Secondly, CEA CAPA has lots of amenities, from multiple free one-day traveling experiences to housing that is prepared for you. The only thing I had to worry about was securing my flight! While studying abroad was a great experience, there were still issues that arose. Thankfully, CEA CAPA stepped in to fill the gaps that I needed support with. This program offers enough support to where I do not have to worry about things, but also enough freedom to where I can make my own decisions. The academics were challenging enough to where I had to focus and study, but not difficult to where I had to study every weekend. The professors were an absolute joy to listen to and were extremely engaging. Along with this, the professors were very understanding, much like the rest of the CEA CAPA staff. When studying abroad with CEA CAPA, your interactions don't feel like student-faculty, but rather like family.

Pros

Amazing Faculty
Excellent Amenities
Balanced Academics

I loved being abroad in Florence. CEA CAPA employs great professors who make it so fun to learn. I loved the teachers, and the field trips we did were unique, unlike anything I have ever done. The location base of Florence is super fun, it's harder/more expensive to fly out of because it's not a huge airport like Rome or Milan. But you'll learn there are more ways to travel, like Flixbus, train, or just flying out of somewhere else, like Pisa. I think the culture in the area is so interesting and the staff help you explore it and are there for you through anything.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

I had sweetbread, and contrary to the name, it is not sweet or bread, it is BRAINS. I also ate beef cheek. It was fun, and both items were surprisingly not that bad, but I would not have sweet bread ever again. I did a lot of different food tastings while in Florence, and they were some of my favorite experiences.

I enjoyed every minute of my study abroad in Florence, from the preparation to get there to the moment we landed back in the US. CEA CAPA guided us the whole way and made sure all our needs were met both physically and mentally. I learned so much traveling around Florence and even surrounding cities like Sienna, Lucca, and Prato. We got the chance to delve deeper into how both art and science developed in the city, and see the great sculptures and paintings in almost every museum. But we still had time to explore on our own - met new people, tried new things, and honestly fell in love with Florence

I strongly recommend you try this program; it's so flexible, and you learn so much

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

Fried zucchini flowers

Pros

great views
foods cheap
amazing coffee

Cons

language barrier

Questions & Answers

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Alumni spotlight: Lexi

Why did you choose this program?

I chose CEA CAPA because of both the program’s benefits and my personal interests. My home institution’s study abroad office provided a questionnaire that helped me narrow down potential locations and program types that fit my major. Since my degree is elective-heavy, I had the flexibility to apply to two CEA CAPA programs. I ultimately selected five courses, which turned out to be some of the most engaging and interesting classes I have ever taken. Beyond academics, the program offered numerous benefits, including supportive on-site staff available 24/7 and a variety of activities such as day trips, cooking classes, museum visits, and more.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

My program provider was incredibly helpful during the process of obtaining my visa. Being away from home and trying to gather all the necessary paperwork and meet requirements was stressful; however, my CEA CAPA advisor was always willing to help and answered all of my questions along the way. CEA CAPA is very thorough in guiding students, providing step-by-step support and even a personalized “To-Do List” in the portal to keep everything on track. While CEA CAPA handled much of the guidance, I was responsible for selecting my courses abroad and securing credit approval from my home institution.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Travel! One of the biggest reasons I decided to study abroad was because I wasn’t sure when I’d have another opportunity to visit Europe after graduation. I went into my program with the goal of seeing the world and traveling to countries beyond my home base. With so many budget-friendly apps and resources available, exploring new places is both accessible and worthwhile. Before going abroad, I had already booked 1–2 trips, but I recommend planning as much as possible in advance. The semester goes by quickly, and you don’t want to miss out on experiences simply because you waited too long to organize a trip or didn’t manage your time effectively.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Through my program, my weekdays were a balance of classes, cooking Italian meals at home, going out to eat, and enjoying fun activities with my roommates while exploring the beautiful city of Florence. We made it a goal to travel every weekend, so once Friday arrived, you could usually find us bouncing around Europe! Our class schedule ran Monday through Thursday, which gave us the flexibility to leave Thursday nights or Friday mornings for trips. Some of my favorite activities in Florence included taking cooking classes, shopping, visiting museums, trying new foods, going on walks, and soaking in everything the city had to offer.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was that I would regret my decision to go abroad while I was there, and that it would be too late to turn back. Looking back, it seems silly to have thought that studying abroad could ever be a regret. Whenever I felt waves of homesickness or missed my life in America, I reminded myself where I was and how lucky I was to have this opportunity. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and the only thing that can diminish it is a negative mindset. The best way to overcome fears or nerves is to stay busy — and trust me, you will be! Adapting during the first few days or even weeks may feel a little out of place, but after talking to multiple people I met abroad, I realized it’s completely normal. Make new friends, build bonds, and embrace the experience. This is a time in your life where you will learn so much about yourself and the world around you.

Write and answer your own question.

If there is one thing I could do differently while studying abroad, it would be to create a bucket list before arriving. I would take the time to sit down, think, and research all the things I wanted to do at my home base and while traveling around. This could include foods to try, cities to visit, or souvenirs to buy. Creating a bucket list helps you get to know the area, pushes you to put yourself out there, and ensures you have no regrets when it’s time to go home. Study abroad goes by quickly, so you don’t want to miss any of the amazing experiences the world has to offer.

Elizabeth Klingler

2017 Alum

Danielle Lukas

2014 Alum

Christine Brackenhoff

2014 Alum

Erin Largey

2014 Alum

Brooke Scanlon

2014 Alum

Patrick Scally

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Letizia Ialini

Program

CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Florence, Italy

Job Title

Student Services Advisor, CEA Florence

Letizia studied Economics at the University of Florence. During her university career, she temporarily moved to Bournemouth, England where she worked as a trainee in the financial department of an industrial company. This first experience abroad sparked her interest in traveling and learning, leading her to continue her studies for an academic year in Australia. Letizia greatly appreciated the opportunity to learn a new language, to travel, and to make friends around the world.

female headshot

Did YOU study abroad?! If so, where and what inspired you to go?

Letizia: I studied abroad in Australia and it was the best time of my life. In 2004 I was studying economics at the University of Florence and I knew that an experience abroad would have contributed to make my resume more interesting to the eye of a future employer.

I wanted to have “a plus”, something different from my pears that would graduate the same year as me. I thought that a study abroad experience could make me more flexible, capable to adapt quickly to a new environment and more open minded. All qualities that a future employer would look for when selecting a candidate.

I actually learned so much during my time abroad, much more than I could have ever imagined. Studying abroad has helped me not only on a professional point of view, but also on a personal point of view. I have invaluable memories of my time in Melbourne. I met people from all over the world and after 10 years I am still good friend with most of them.

What was your favorite traveling experience?

Letizia: I don’t like big cities, I never have. I have many traveling experience that are sweet memories in my heart: Tasmania in 2005, Portugal in 2008, and east Australia in 2009, but the one I cherish the most is New Zealand in 2009. My husband and I decided to rent a car and drove from Auckland to the Waipoua Forest which is one part of the largest remaining tract of native forest in the North Island.

Waipoua Forest

The drive to the forest is spectacular: the road winds through huge and spectacular kauri trees, the colors of the sky are indescribable. With a Maori guide we adventured into the forest at dusk and followed a trail that lead us to meet one of the most significant tree, the natives call it Te Matua Ngahere – 'Father of the Forest' – which is huge and estimated to be between 2,500 and 3,000 years old.

The forest at night was magical, many animals, that we would never have seen during the day, were coming out their shelters and we had the feeling of being lucky viewers of an intact world that was exiting a long time ago.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

Letizia: Not every student has an easy start. Sometimes studying abroad can be challenging, especially during the first few weeks away from home. Some students start missing home and for different reasons they think that they cannot successfully complete their time abroad.

We always do our best to encourage and support these students and most of the time they decide to remain with us and positively complete their semester abroad. Seeing this students overcome their difficulties in one of the best part of my job. Through this experience they learn they can actually overcome every adverse situation.

They decide to challenge themselves and grow up in a way they usually do not even expect. Hearing from them once they go back home and understand how happy they are they have decided to stay is one of the biggest gratifications we could actually have knowing we, in some way, influenced that decision.

What unique qualities does your company possess?

new zealand view

Letizia: I feel very lucky to be part of the CEA team. CEA is a very dynamic organization and as a company it is always trying to improve. The good thing is that every semester is basically structured as the previous one but really nothing is actually the same. We always work with different students and we continuously try to provide them with the best experience they could possibly find in Florence.

CEA is constantly trying to make progress and get closer to what students really need. New ideas in order to reach a better result are always welcome and I find this attitude rewarding of my efforts. Our team in Florence is made of young people and we all get along very well. This is something that I am sure influence the students experience in many ways as the atmosphere is a very positive one.

Bruno Grazioli

Academic Director, CEA Florence

Emily Schiavone

Center Director, CEA Florence

Alexandra Mitchell

Director of International Programs

Vittoria Chesi

Senior Academic Coordinator, Florence

Location

Location:

Florence

Currency:

Euro

Weather:

Jan-Mar

61 F / 36 F

Apr-Jun

82 F / 45 F

Jul-Sep

90 F / 57 F

Oct-Dec

70 F / 37 F

Airports:

Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola

( FLR )

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.

About CEA CAPA Education Abroad

With 22 destinations across 13 countries, CEA CAPA Education Abroad offers an ideal balance of academics, internships, and adventure to more than 4,000 students each year. Click on “Visit Site” to explore our study and internship opportunities and find out just out how far international education can take you. Why study abroad or complete an...