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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 17 - 24 of 163 reviews

The staff at the front desk are really what made the program for me. I feel like I formed close relationships with them and they made me excited to come to class. I also appreciated all the trips and other activities they planned for us. Also all my credits transferred over which I really appreciated, and all the professors seemed very qualified. The two building locations are very close to each other so it was not difficult to navigate the city. In Florence it's hard to find spaces where you can just sit down and do work for free with good wifi, so I really appreciated the lounges in the academic buildings.

I had the opportunity to visit many different markets, local vendors, and cafes during my classes. It was a great way to sample foods that were traditional to Florence and also special items during the holidays. I also loved the included day trips the program offered. It was great not to have to plan the trips and have transportation and an itinerary already made. The staff were always welcoming and helpful, and made an effort to connect with students. Another great perk was that the program included a cooking class. We got to learn how to make pasta with two different kinds of sauce, along with panna cotta and soufflé.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

Lampredotto at mercato centrale!

Pros

Housing was centrally located; easy to get to classes, stores, and the train station
Many opportunities to eat and connect with peers through additional free activities like gelato and street food tours
Classes had many field trips and interactive components

Cons

Classrooms were vey small and felt like we were on top of each other

My semester abroad was one of the best experiences of my life. I studied abroad last Spring in Florence, Italy. The classes I took really immersed me in another culture, with food tasting, walks around the city, and learning the history behind the streets I walked every day. My living situation was ideal; I lived with 2 other girls outside of the roommate I studied abroad with from home. Those 2 random roommates became some of my closest friends. The program provided me with numerous opportunities to meet new people, experience new things, and learn things I would never have encountered at my home university. The program gave me so many resources and information to be successful in a new city and a new country.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

My advice for future travelers with this program is to take every opportunity that they provide you with. The program has welcome dinners, workout classes, different clubs, and opportunities throughout the city. It is a great way to meet new people, along with experiencing new things.

Pros

opportunities
great class variety
field trips

Cons

not all housing is the same

I was originally hesitant to study abroad, I was worried about missing out on a semester at my home university, and missing family and friends. However, I could not be more grateful that I took the leap and studied abroad in Florence, Italy with CEA CAPA. My experience was so beneficial to my growth, my independence, and shaped what I value in life. The CEA CAPA staff was so involved and helpful in my journey. The administrative staff helped so much with logistics- such as obtaining a VISA. The professors cared about the students and made classes immersive and so enjoyable.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

I tried snails in France!

Pros

Supportive staff
Immersive classes
Beautiful city

Cons

Some housing is further outside of the city than others

I will forever cherish the people I met, places I saw, and things I got to experience while studying abroad in Florence. The CEA Capa staff made my first trip abroad feel seamless, and were ready and willing to offer assistance and advice wherever needed. The classroom buildings were very easily accessible, and there was a unique mixture of activities to attend, ranging from sports to cooking to excursions in other cities. If you are nervous or apprehensive about the idea of studying abroad, I cannot recommend CEA Capa enough - they will provide you with everything you need to be successful, and make sure you are having fun along the way!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?

One morning, I walked out of my apartment to find a street performer tightrope walking right above my head!

Pros

Welcoming environment
Walkable city
Great communication from staff

Cons

Extremely hot weather
Transportation strikes

Studying abroad in Florence for spring semester 2025 was the best experience of my life. I got to travel and live with my two best friends for four months while we visited 10 countries and immersed ourselves in European culture. I got to take some of the most interesting classes I’ve ever been in, and I met so many amazing people that I’ve managed to stay in contact with. One of the highlights of my trip was eating some of the best food of my life, foodies this is the place for you! If you’re thinking about traveling abroad, take the plunge and let CEA kickstart your experience!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

My advice is to say yes to everything, I started my abroad experience being very frugal with money and saying no to doing fun things because I was stressed out, until I decided one day that money comes back with memories are forever!

Pros

Eating my first Florentine steak
Riding a camel in Morocco
Eating fresh lemon sorbet from Capri

Cons

Not speaking the language
Very touristy and busy
Pick pocketers

Studying abroad in Florence, Italy in Summer 2025 was the most unreal and unbelievable experience. I made so many lifelong friends, I go to try and eat delicious food, learn about the Italian culture and history, get to see with my own eyes and learn about the artwork, architecture, and sculptures, and travel the world with my best friends. I took a Renaissance Art History and if you love art, going to museums and cathedrals I would highly recommend that class. We spent majority of the time outside exploring the city of Florence visiting museums, churches, palaces and more. Florence is probably the most dense art city in the world and for me being able to see all this historical pieces and walk by beautiful architecture was unbelievable. My program was only 4 weeks long, and it went by so fast! I had the opportunity to travel to new cities and countries on the weekends with friends which was definitely one of the highlights!.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?

The most surprising thing I saw was all the architecture, tombs of famous historical figures, iconic and beautiful artwork and sculptures. While in Florence, Italy I took Renaissance Art History and I had the amazing opportunity of being able to visit a new museum, cathedral, palace and more every day.

Pros

amazing food
make lifelong friends
unbelievable art and architecture

Cons

hot
water isn't free

Wow. I have been home for over a month now and I still cannot believe that I had this experience. My number one praise of this program is the on-site staff at the CEA CAPA Florence Center. They were attentive to our every need, and went out of their way to ensure we had the best experience possible. My roommates were randomly paired and they were absolutely wonderful. We all brought different experiences to the apartment and learned from each other! I learned I am capable of way more than I ever imagined through my academics and travels. Thank you CEA CAPA!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?

I visited Switzerland with my boyfriend (who was also on the program), and we got to experience Mount Pilatus! I would highly recommend it!

Pros

Staff support
Experiences

Cons

Homesickness

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...