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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 33 - 40 of 163 reviews

As someone who had never been to Europe, or as far away from as traveling to Florence, Italy would be, I had no idea what to expect stepping off the plane in the Florence airport. This program made my time abroad transformative. I was able to advance in my degree and take classes that were connected to my major, while also take courses that strayed away from my degree, allowing me a broadened educational expierence. Through classes, excursions, tours, and events, CEA CAPA staff would make my expierence the best it could be.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?

Stepping off of the airport and into the small baggage claim area in Florence, I knew no one around me. The blend of unknown and foreign voices and conversations immediately set in. However, thanks to small class sizes and the efforts of the CEA CAPA staff to create a welcoming and interconnected community, these unknown voices began to become known and my expierence quickly shifted from worrisome to comfortable.

Pros

Excursions included in tuition.
Housing located throughout central Florence.
Tours and activities throughout the semester.

Studying in Florence, Italy was the absolute best decision I’ve made in my life. I can’t express how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to study there with CEA CAPA. For one, I was so extremely blessed to have AMAZING housing with the greatest landlord and even better roommates. CEA CAPA brought me new best friends and I can’t believe I went my whole life not knowing them until my study abroad. Additionally, the academics were great. I was taking classes I ACTUALLY enjoyed. AND they pertained to my major at my home university in the USA. My professors were all amazing and so personable, and the support staff was even better. The amount of activities and excursions planned by CEA CAPA was incredible. It allowed my friends and I to see more of our beautiful country and really indulge ourselves into the Italian culture. If you are debating on going, just do it! I went alone, not knowing anyone studying in my city, and I ended up meeting and making friendships that will last a lifetime.

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

Take advantage of your time there!!! Go explore on your off days, especially more of your city. Don’t be lazy because you’re time there is limited and there’s way too much to see! You can sleep when you’re back home (but also don’t be irresponsible and never sleep…).

Pros

Friendships
Travel & exploring
Culture

Cons

Budget airlines
Homesickness
Language barrier

Studying abroad in Florence was one of the most transformative experiences of my life—not just because of the city’s beauty, but because of how it challenged and expanded me. It wasn’t all gelato and sunsets (though those were amazing); it was about learning how to slow down, how to sit with discomfort, and how to fully engage with another culture. I found community in unlikely places—talking to locals at cafés, getting to know my professors beyond the classroom, and especially through the lifelong friendships I formed. I learned to cook with ingredients I couldn’t pronounce at first, navigated frustrating language barriers, and started to see myself more clearly through a new cultural lens. Florence taught me not only art and history, but also how to live with more curiosity, patience, and intention. If you're looking for a study abroad experience that will challenge you emotionally, intellectually, and personally—in the best way—Florence will meet you where you are and change you.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

My biggest advice is to lean into the discomfort—it’s where the growth happens. Don’t just stick with other study abroad students; talk to locals, take solo walks, get lost on purpose, and say yes even when you're unsure. Also, document the little things—your morning cappuccino spot, a street musician you pass every day—those are the memories that will stick. Florence has so much to offer, but you have to meet it with openness, curiosity, and a willingness to experience its full effect.

Pros

Cultural Immersion: living in Florence gave me daily access to incredible art, history, and traditions. Every walk felt like a museum visit.
Personal Growth: being outside my comfort zone helped me gain independence, confidence, and a deeper sense of who I am.
Community & Friendships: I built strong bonds with people from all over the world, and those relationships made the experience even more meaningful.

Cons

Language Barrier: not speaking fluent Italian made daily tasks like errands or appointments more challenging at first.
Tourist Crowds: Florence can get extremely crowded, especially in peak season, which sometimes made it hard to feel like a local.
Homesickness: Even in a beautiful city, there were moments I missed home, especially during slower days or holidays.

CEA offers a ton of great support and activities for all students to enjoy. Arriving they make the transition from the U.S. to Italy so easy. All of the staff and teachers are so nice and helpful. I really enjoyed the extracurricular activities they offered - I joined the CEA CAPA soccer team which was a blast. Additionally, there were great dinners offered periodically that were included within the program which allowed me to meet new people! I also really enjoyed the ability to go on trips with CEA - There was a great trip to Pisa which was awesome!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Buy the Eurail Pass! It will save you a ton of money and hassle!

Pros

Great Housing
Amazing Staff and Teachers
Interesting Classes

Cons

My experience with CEA was more I could have ever dreamed of. The staff were so welcoming and supportive from the moment they picked me up from the airport. The professors were engaging and classes were fascinating. CEA offered so much else besides the classes as well. I loved participating in volunteering to help teach Italian kids english while I was abroad, as I felt like this really an amazing way to immerse with the local culture. CEA did an amazing job of making a nerve wracking experience less scary!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?

The flight from home to abroad was so nerve wracking! I overcame it by listening to music and meditating throughout the flight.

Pros

Supportive staff
Immersive experiences
Volunteer opportunities

Studying abroad through CEA CAPA out in Florence last Fall was literally the best time of my life. Every day, I wish I could be back there ready to start my first day of the semester again. The program immerses you fully into the city. Our apartment was in the city, out campus was next to the Duomo, and the city itself was so welcoming to Study Abroad students. If you're on the fence, take the chance. Go for it. The study abroad experience is something I will never, ever forget, and I'm so grateful I chose to do it.

I studied abroad with CEA CAPA during fall semester 2024 and absolutely loved it. The one thing that really makes CEA CAPA stand out from other programs is the amazing and supportive staff. Everyone from the people who sat at the front desk to the professors was so amazing. I would also recommend this program because they are dedicated to getting their students to really know the city. We had field trips all the time in classes going to see the art and aspects of the city that we were learning about in the classroom. I loved this program and would definitely recommend it!

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

I think I would study abroad with someone I know because a lot of people go with friends or friend groups and it can be kind of difficult to make friends sometimes.

Pros

The amazing staff
The classes are super interesting
My housing was awesome

Cons

The difficulty of traveling from Florence

Studying abroad with CEA CAPA in Florence was honestly one of the best experiences of my college life. The program was super organized, and the staff was always there to help with anything—from classes to travel tips. The courses were interesting and really connected to what was happening around us in the city, which made learning feel way more real.

Living in Florence was amazing. The city is full of history, great food, and so much to do. CEA CAPA set up fun excursions and cultural activities that helped us experience Italy beyond just being tourists. The housing was in a great location, making it easy to get around and feel at home.

Overall, I’d 100% recommend this program to anyone looking to study abroad in Italy. It’s the perfect mix of academics, culture, and adventure!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone! Do things that make you uncomfortable because they often end up being the most rewarding!

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...