Study Abroad in Florence, Italy

Name: Study Abroad in Florence, Italy
Brand: ISA by WorldStrides
SKU: 15464
Rating: 4.94 (34 reviews)

Read 34 reviews

4.94 Rating

Leave a Review

Location

Italy
- Florence

Term

Academic Year, Fall, J-Term, Spring, Summer

Subject Areas

Art History Arts Business Communications Design Fashion Design Film History Hospitality Language Studies Marketing +1

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

Health & Safety

Learn More

View Other Details

Program Details

Program Type

Provider

Degree Level

High School Diploma

Housing

Apartment Host Family

Language

English

Pricing

Starting Price

2000

Price Details

Program Price Includes:
• Comprehensive Advising and Support
• Tuition at the Host University
• Official Transcript from Host University with ISA Cover Letter
• Housing
• Meals and Laundry Services
• Bridging Cultures Program
• Full-Time Resident Staff
• On-Site ISA Offices
• Computer and Internet Access
• Excursions
• The ISA Discovery Model
• Cultural Activities
• Medical Insurance
• Comprehensive Health, Safety and Security Support
• Airport Reception
• Visa Support
• Tutoring
• The Professional Development Toolbox
• Scholarship Opportunities

What's Included

Accommodation Some Activities

Last Updated: Jun 19, 2024

Last Reviewed: Feb 26, 2025

Wish List

75 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Study abroad in Florence, Italy at the Florence University of the Arts (FUA) and Apicius International School of Hospitality (AISH) or at the New York Film Academy (NYFA). Students will spend time mastering their artistry in one of the most diverse artistic cities in the world in so many facets. They will explore all of the history and architecture that Florence has in store to get a lifetime worth of inspiration.

We offer excursions that are included in the program cost. Destinations include Rome, Cinque Terre, Siena, and central Italy. Students will immerse themselves in the culture of Italy during an amazing semester or summer abroad. Check out our website for all the details!

Visit Site

Apply Now

Video and Photos

View All Photos

Diversity & Inclusion 💙

BIPOC Support

Our team is committed to providing exceptional support through identity-focused advising and resources for students, university partners, and staff. We have developed our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee to help serve all students and stakeholders, particularly the needs of underrepresented student populations. Our country-specific diversity pages offer information about the societies and cultural history of our destinations. This information can be used to start your reflection about how your intersecting identities relate to the host community context.

Learn More

LGBTQIA+ Support

Learn More

Neurodivergent Support

ISA by WorldStrides is devoted to facilitating quality programming to students with varying levels of neurodivergence. Our Health & Safety team is available to answer questions about insurance and medication, as well as provide students with materials on overseas access to support.

Learn More

Accessibility Support

We are dedicated to facilitating quality programming to students with varying levels of accessibility. With our wide portfolio of program types and locations we’re confident there is a suitable and accessible program for each student. Accommodations abroad can be complex and take time, so those with accessibility needs should inform ISA of any accommodations requests as early as possible in the advising process. Please contact accessibilityteam@studiesabroad.com with questions or for more information.

Learn More

Impact 🌎

Sustainability

We have partnered with Fill it Forward to engage team members and program participants in waste reduction practices. The goal is to encourage the elimination of single-use waste. Every QR code scan shows the impact of reusable bottles and unlocks a donation to environmental impact groups.

Learn More

Ethical Impact

ISA by WorldStrides, a global organization, is committed to educate and serve communities worldwide. Our commitment is fueled by the passion of our team members and partners to make experiential learning accessible, while also being socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible. Together, we accomplish this by investing in initiatives to promote inclusion, diversity, and sustainability.

Learn More

Program Highlights

Florence is known as the cradle of Renaissance with artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Donatello, Botticelli, Lorenzo de Medici, Brunelleschi, Ghiberti, Machiavelli, and more emerging from the city during the 15th and 16th centuries.
Europe’s three active volcanoes are all located in Italy: Etna and Stromboli are in Sicily, and Vesuvius is in the Campania region.
Italy, and southern Europe in general, has a laid- back culture. If you are interested in working to live, Italy is the place for you
The Italian peninsula is largely located in the Mediterranean Sea, with over 7,600 kilometers of coastline.
The historical sites in Italy make for a very unique learning experience.

Popular Programs

Florence University of the Arts

Located between the historic Palazzo Doni and Palazzo Guicciardini-Strozzi, the Florence University of the Arts (FUA) is housed in a combination of historic palaces converted to modern academic buildings. With free access to internet, research labs, recording and art studio spaces, demo kitchens, fashion media labs, and numerous other facilities, you will enjoy a fusion of Florentine tradition and modernity!

New York Film Academy

The New York Film Academy (NYFA) Florence's campus is built on the remnants of an ancient amphitheater that was built 2,000 years ago and is located steps away from the Piazza Santa Croce. NYFA has been successfully providing unique summer study programs in Florence for 16 years and has welcomed more than 1,000 students from nearly 35 countries.

Program Reviews

4.94 Rating

based on 34 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Study

5 rating 94.12%
4 rating 5.88%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Academics 4.35
Support 4.8
Fun 4.85
Housing 4.65
Safety 4.8

Good for Students, Adventure travelers, Solo Travelers

Showing 17 - 24 of 34 reviews

Florence was the best home base! The city itself is amazing and you can do so many different things in your free time. It also allows for easy travel to other amazing places. I traveled to nine different countries in the span of my four months studying abroad. I was immersed into the culture and had experiences that I would never trade. I kissed the Blarney Stone in Ireland, white water rafted in Croatia, played blackjack in Monaco, swam in the baths in Budapest. I was able to do and see so many amazing things.

Pros

Travel the world
So much amazing food
So many cool experiences

Cons

Walked 35 minutes to school each day

Studying abroad through ISA was the greatest thing to happen to me.
Florence is a magical city. Incredible food, so much history easy access to travel around Europe- I cannot imagine a better place to have spent my four months abroad. I learned so much about other cultures and discovered so much about myself during my time there. I cannot recommend this place and program enough.
What truly made this experience unforgettable was the people I met. I arrived knowing no one, and by the time I left, I had found my best friends in the world. The professors at FUA inspired and challenged me to expand my perspective. And the staff along the way made my experience so seamless. The only downside to the experience was having to leave. Florence will always hold a special place in my heart!

Pros

I met my best friends
I enhanced my personal growth x 100
I gained valuable skills that have carried with me to the workplace.

Cons

Experiencing post-study abroad depression

I studied abroad in 2022. It was the best experience of my life and part of that is thanks to ISA! I was paired with the best roommates in a charming, modern apartment. Studying abroad will allow you to meet such unique people and truly learn more about yourself in the process of learning the culture. Florence had something for everyone, whether it be the art, food, history, or nightlife. The city is walkable, so you never have to worry about finding a taxi! If you are thinking about studying abroad, DO IT! You will not regret it!

Pros

Great food
Affordable city
Lively nightlife

Cons

Smells from time to time
Gets REALLY hot
Narrow sidewalks

From the moment I arrived to the moment I left, I had to pinch myself. I was driven from the airport to my apartment which was on the beautiful square of Piazza Della Signoria. From here, I attended an informative orientation and met my peers who quickly became lifelong friends. We enjoyed the excursions offered through ISA as well as several self-planned trips. Beyond these leisurely activities, I gained invaluable knowledge at FUA. I felt truly immersed into the Italian culture. I would recommend it anyone!

ISA provided many excursions and accommodations that made the experience amazing. Florence is an amazing place it felt like a dream. My favorite part was my roomates and I trip to Amalfi which again was very student friendly. I would love to go back I even made so many friends that live there that I would love to see again. I also gained so much knowledge about another culture and felt like I was fully immersed. School was amazing too. Classes were great and teachers were very hands on and gave great recommendations for things around the city!

Pros

Student Friendly
Night Life
FOOD

Cons

none
none
none

My time in Florence, Italy with ISA was the best time of my life! I could not recommend this program more. I made memories to last a lifetime and I am so grateful for my experience. The ISA staff was wonderful and very helpful. The opportunity to live and learn in a new country is so special - getting to try new food, meet new people, and experience a new culture is all a great part of getting to study abroad. I encourage everyone to study abroad in any capacity as it is great learning experience for young people.

I would recommend this program! I had the best experience at Florence. The ISA staff were very helpful, and I learned so much. My apartment was nearby the city center which made exploring so easy. Florence is a smaller to medium city that was full of amazing foo and people. I loved being able to travel to new places and meet people from other universities studying there as well. I participated in the Chat Pal club as well when I was there. This allowed me to connect with locals and learn about their lives.

I had such an amazing experience traveling to Florence to study fashion marketing! For me, going abroad has always been about getting to experience something that I could never do in the United States. I wanted to travel to a different environment to learn more about my future career, and also about the culture and beauty built around the world. I've always wanted to go to Italy, and after doing some research, I picked Florence because the city is known for its rich art and history. Everywhere I went, I was looking at art. I am so happy I pushed myself out of my comfort zone because I learned a lot about myself and have memories that will last a lifetime!

Questions & Answers

Is this program only offered to college students or can high school students apply as well?

Answer this question

Do you have to learn the language of where you travel?

Hi Mikayla, The short answer is that you don't have to learn the language of where you travel. There are many students who have studied abroad who haven't studied the language of where they end up traveling. However, with that said, knowing or studying the language can definitely help you feel more integrated into the culture in which you're living and help you to make closer and deeper...

By Troy Stiles on May 22, 2018

Alumni Interviews

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

Give us an intro!

Hi everyone! This is Leah and she’s from Pennsylvania, but currently attends college at Arizona State University!

Her major is Communication, and her minors are Special Event Management and Tourism Management. She enjoy’s window shopping, eating anything sweet, browsing Pinterest for some DIY ideas, and hibernating in the summer (it’s 105+ in Arizona).

Why did you pick this program?

Leah: I picked ISA Florence because I had been to Italy before and I loved everything about the culture. I picked Florence specifically because I found it less busy than Rome. Italy is magnificent and has wonderful history to explore and even better food to eat.

I knew Florence was the place I wanted to spend my four months both living and exploring. Florence University of the Arts was a perfect fit for me and the classes offered really peaked my interests.

What is the most important thing you learned abroad?

Leah: The most important thing I learned abroad is to get out of my comfort zone. That may sound obvious, but a lot of the time I really had to force myself out of my comfort zone and become independent in multiple areas of life.

I walked everywhere, which means I needed to learn to use a map and ask for directions! I am terrible at other languages, but I really needed to force myself to try speaking Italian to the locals and to keep trying when I failed.

I also learned to be by myself, whether that meant eating alone at cafes, going to museums or shopping at the markets. Going abroad I didn’t know anyone and that can feel like your starting over.

This was my opportunity to meet new and amazing people! While traveling to other countries I learned to take different public transportations, read transit lines, and I explored unknown cities.

What's your favorite story to tell about your time abroad?

Leah: UGH. There are so many stories I would love to share, but my favorite story is when I went paragliding in the Swiss Alps. Switzerland was one of my favorite countries to visit, and I knew immediately I wanted to have an experience I would never forget (besides living in Florence for four months).

Since skydiving was WAY to expensive I went with the next best thing: Paragliding. If you are not familiar with what exactly Paragliding is, it involves taking a cable car up a huge mountain (side note: I thought this was the worst part) and than hiking for about 10-15 minutes.

You are than attached to a harness and your guide, and finally you run off that mountain into the air. This experience was thrilling, and unbelievable. You’re in the air for about 20 minutes and the guide does crazy tricks (only if you feel comfortable though). What a view to see, those Swiss Alps are spectacular and I will never forget this experience. GO OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE –its wonderful.

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

Leah: If you decide to do the ISA Florence Program, my biggest piece of advice is to take advantage of everything the program has. There are tons of classes to choose from, so choose what interests YOU! Also get to know the staff, they are wonderful people and extremely helpful. Take advantage of the weekend and day trips that are included, and the museum card you are provided with.

Finally, have FUN while on the program; take advantage of every single day you are in Florence. If you plan to travel to different countries every weekend than explore Florence during the weekdays, and take the time to actually see Italy (it is where you are studying after all!!!!).

What made this trip meaningful to you, or how did this trip change your perceptions, future path?

Leah: I have always been interested in traveling, but this study abroad experience opened my eyes even more to how wonderful and unique other cultures are. I met a lot of people from not only other countries, but also other states within the US and this helps build connections all over the world.

I realized how much I appreciate what I have in the U.S, but realized even more how much traveling shaped me into a better person. This trip helped me realize I want to do something in the future with my minor of Tourism more than my major Communication. I would love to pursue a job that includes travel or working in the Tourism Industry.

Most importantly I realized how much I still have left to see in the world and I am excited for my future. I saw a quote while scrolling through pinterest that describes everything perfect. “ We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open” - Jawaharlal Nehru

What are the top 5 restaurants, museums/sites, and cities to visit in Florence

Leah: Places to eat:

Gusta Pizza (PIZZA, HEART SHAPED, what could be better?)
Pino’s (Best sandwich’s YUM)
Ganzo (This is the Florence University of the Arts restaurant where the students at Apicius cooking school produce the most AMAZING food)
GROM gelato or Vivaldi (YES to gelato always)
“Bread Place” (Okay so I forget the name, but there was a cute little bread place it is located down the street from Vivaldi Gelato!)

Places to visit:

Uffizi Gallery
Galleria dell’Accademia (The David)
Pitti Palace

Haley Helfer

Lyndsey Sotwick

About ISA by WorldStrides

As a leader in international education for over thirty years, International Studies Abroad (ISA) by WorldStrides is dedicated to providing university and college level students the opportunity to discover, learn, and enjoy a way of life other than their own. We offer a diverse portfolio of education abroad programs across Africa, Asia, Europe...