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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 49 - 56 of 163 reviews

Studying abroad in Florence, Italy was an incredibly amazing experience. Italy offered me so many insights into who I am and challenged me to explore new things, travel, and expand my world. Florence was the most amazing location to study abroad, with its unique culture, close-knit community, and small-city vibes. Living in Florence for four months taught me to appreciate the little things in life, and I will forever think about my time abroad. I am incredibly grateful for the people I met abroad too, and have come back to school with some of my closest friends who have shared such unique experiences with me. Together, we tried new foods, socialized with endless amounts of people, learned a new language, traveled the world, and created a life together in a foreign country.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

Almost raw Florentine steak!

Pros

Food
Community
Culture

Cons

Airport size
Tourism

Studying abroad in Florence was a life-changing experience for me. I am a junior at Cal Poly SLO studying graphic communication and minoring in studio art and Chinese. Because of my studio art minor, I chose to do a CEA CAPA and SRISA art split program to take classes at both schools in Florence. I took Beginning Italian and Intro to Contemporary Cinema with CEA CAPA and Beginning Painting and Graphic Design Studio with SRISA. Learning about art and the Italian language while abroad heightened my experience in Florence. I had a unique and immersive experience in the city, gaining a new perspective on Italian culture and the city's history and art. Thanks to CEA CAPA, I got a rounded abroad experience with things such as excursions broadening my experience with the country of Italy, and classes I took in Florence, broadening my perspective of Italian lifestyle and history. The faculty on-site for CEA CAPA were helpful and attentive, and my housing situation was in the middle of the city. I made new friends through the program's various activities and met my roommates through CEA CAPA's housing portal. I would recommend this program to anyone who appreciates history, art, and Italian cuisine. The city of Florence is full of these things and more, and CEA CAPA's program enabled me to enjoy these qualities with little stress.

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

If I were to go abroad again, I would work on having goals before going abroad. Initially, I was overwhelmed by the experience I wanted to have abroad, but if I had decided I wanted to use that experience to learn more, make new friends, travel more, etc. I would have had a bit more of a focused abroad experience and be able to delve into one area specifically.

Pros

Self Growth
Immersion into city's culture
Increased knowledge of Italian history

Cons

Taking care of mental health
Finding time to work on school work

Studying abroad in Florence in the fall of 2024 was the best experience I could have asked for. I learned so much about myself and skills that I did not know I had. I loved living in the city and having such a sense of home in a foreign country. I traveled easily every weekend and got to see and experience the world in a way I didn't know was going to be possible for me. Finally, the food in Florence was the best I had in the four months abroad. I still miss the weekly and daily traditions I had for myself in the city.

I studied abroad in Florence through CEA CAPA in the Fall of 2024. The classes, opportunities, support, and memories were unforgettable. The staff always greeted us with a smile and answered all the questions I had. There were program trips to other cities in Tuscany as well as smaller field trips around Florence that I would recommend participating in. Two of the classes I took were some of my favorites in all of my undergraduate education so far. Florence in particular was an amazing area to be in, with it being so walkable and pretty affordable. My apartment was close to the train station and the Duomo which I feel was the best spot in the city, and even the walk to Piazzale Michelangelo did not feel long. I feel so lucky to have called this city my home: I miss it every day and I think CEA CAPA was incredibly helpful throughout this unique process.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

At a well-known restaurant less than a block away from me called Osteria Pastella, I tried pigeon! I would call myself a foodie and in general, I love Italian cuisine. So when I saw pigeon risotto on the menu, I knew I wanted to try it. It was really delicious! The Renaissance art, easy-going lifestyle, and food were just some of the things that drew me to Italy.

Pros

support and community
lots to do
beautiful city

Cons

laundry

I just came back from a semester abroad in fall 2024 in Florence. When I say it was one of the best decisions I've made, I mean it. I learned so much about myself, Italy, and what it means to be a global citizen. At the beginning of the program, I told someone I would never be comfortable going on a solo trip... flash forward two months later and I was in Brussels by myself for the weekend (and it was SUCH a rewarding experience)! The community and support I found in Florence through CEA CAPA made my experience unforgettable. I met some of my best friends in my Italian I class that I never would have crossed paths with before, and the front desk staff made me feel so welcomed (and now we're still in contact on Instagram)!

Florence has so much to offer and you will not regret going with CEA CAPA. If I could do it all over again I'd do it the exact same.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Say yes! Be a yes person and be comfortable being uncomfortable. You are not studying abroad to do the same things you do at home, so take advantage of the wonders of the world; there is so much to offer.

Pros

Great food
Friendly staff
Fun trips included with the program

CEA CAPA provided me with an amazing abroad experience. My housing was in a great location with short walks to class, coffee shops, and outstanding restaurants. CEA CAPA also made sure I was taking the right classes for my credits to transfer which was so helpful. All the staff was friendly and helpful with the adjustment to a new culture. My professors were so knowledgeable and made class interesting with lots of hands on experiences. I recommend this program to anyone looking to study abroad in Florence!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

The most unfamiliar thing I ate was Chicken Liver Pate. This is a meat spread made of chicken liver on bread. I was very skeptical about trying this but I ended up enjoying it and ordering it at many restaurants in Florence!

Pros

Field Trips
Helpful Visa Process
Professors

Cons

Limited Course Selection
Limited Class Sections

This was the best experience of my life. CEA CAPA made it so easy to adjust and there were always new activities that were free. We did a cooking class that was so fun. I also did a gelato tour which gave me so many good new places to take my family to when they visited. They also were able to set me up with a "host family" who I would see every week and do activities with/go to their house for dinner. Interacting with locals was made easy through this. Also our housing was right next to the Duomo. Our house was beautiful and spacious. I loved every second and would go back in a heartbeat. Could not recommend anything more!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

Chicken liver pate - but I loved it!

Pros

Living situation was perfect
Free activites
Kind professors

Studying abroad in Florence would be a magical experience regardless of which program I chose, however, I am so glad I studied abroad with CEA CAPA because their classes infuse the spirit and contemporary culture of Florence into their curriculum. The "core class" that I took along with my other CEA CAPA classes was "Exploring and Analyzing the City of Florence". It not only educated me on the origins of Florence and its history but showed me the importance of urban analysis to create my own, personal image of contemporary Florence. I felt that I was truly able to explore the city and start to actually feel at home through this class. My other classes educated me on the feminist art history of Florence and also the contemporary cinema of Italy as a whole, which helped me to understand the differences in regions throughout Italy and how cinema plays a role in Italian culture. The program also provides lots of social opportunities and some cooking classes as well, and they really encourage students to engage in these activities. The housing is also really great, our apartment had old frescoes on the ceiling and was quite spacious, and maintenance was quick to make repairs or help us when issues arose. They also have a very helpful orientation to help alleviate culture shock and have many resources to help students acclimate to the new area they've thrown themselves into. Overall I really enjoyed my time in Florence with CEA CAPA and I don't think there is much I would change about my experience.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

Lampredotto (cow stomach) is one of the Florentine staples for food, and there are many food carts around that serve it in sandwiches. My roommates and I finally tried it near the end of my stay, and though my roommates couldn't get over the texture, I actually really enjoyed it and wished I had tried it sooner lol.

Pros

Beautiful location, walkability of the city
Housing was in the perfect spot
Classes are not super rigorous so you have time to enjoy your travels

Cons

General transportation issues
Loud neighbors

The frescoes on the ceiling of my apartment

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...