Location
  • Italy
    • Florence
Term
Academic Year, Fall, J-Term, Maymester, Spring, Summer
Subject Areas
Accounting Advertising Architecture Art History Business Communications Creative Writing Cultural Studies Design Economics European Studies Fashion Design Global Studies Graphic Design Health Sciences Hospitality Humanities Interior Design Liberal Arts Literature Marketing Mathematics Performing Arts Philosophy Photography Political Science Psychology Public Relations Sociology Sports Sports Science Theater Visual Arts Web Design +24
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, 529 Plan eligibility
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
High School Diploma Associates Bachelors
Housing
Apartment Host Family
Language
English

Pricing

Starting Price
4400
Price Details
Program cost includes tuition, housing & SAI's 360° Services
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Classes Travel Insurance Wifi
Jun 13, 2024
Nov 29, 2023
161 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

SAI gives students the opportunity to experience refined beauty of Renaissance Italy by studying abroad at Florence University of the Arts (FUA). FUA offers a wide range of courses in English which have been carefully planned and designed keeping with current interests and contemporary subjects including: Literature, Sciences, Business, Economics, History, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Health Sciences and more.

SAI oversees and coordinates all aspects of student enrollment, including application processing, course selection and credit, visa advising, housing, student health insurance, and transcripts. SAI also provides comprehensive student services, from the moment of application, through the on-site experience, until students return home. In addition to supporting students throughout their stay in Florence, SAI also coordinates a range of activities and excursions throughout the term, including a walking tour of historic Florence, a “survival Italian” language class, and much more!

Video and Photos

Impact

Ethical Impact

SAI conducts its programs in an ethical manner in accordance with the best practices in the field of study abroad. SAI acts within the best interest of students, institutions, and partner institutions abroad. SAI maintains open communication with all stakeholders as well as respect to privacy of student data, institutional policies and procedures, and local laws and cultural practices.

Program Highlights

  • Enroll in unique experiential learning courses for hands-on learning
  • Live among Italians in a bustling but manageable city
  • Enjoy SAI's 360° Services

Program Reviews

4.94 Rating
based on 81 reviews
  • 5 rating 93.83%
  • 4 rating 6.17%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 3.9
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.75
  • Housing 4.8
  • Safety 4.8
Showing 1 - 8 of 81 reviews
Default avatar
Lina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Viva l'Italia!

There aren't enough words in the dictionary to describe how good of an experience I had during my year abroad with SAI. I totally stepped out of my comfort zone, met so many new people, and had a lot of time for self reflection. It sounds like a cliche, but I very much felt like the amount of growth and evolution I saw during my time abroad was unlike any other time in my life. SAI provided a lot of opportunities to me through group outings and activities, and they were by my side when I was navigating the Italian healthcare system. I loved my apartment and location—right on the Arno—and I felt super safe in Florence.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
When opportunities come your way, say yes!
Pros
  • Independence
  • Lots of good food
  • Friendly locals
Cons
  • Florence felt a little small at times, good to do weekend trips to explore the continent!
42 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Rebekah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best 4 months of my life!!

To put it simply: studying abroad changed my life. The thought of going abroad for the first time can be really scary and intimidating but I promise you it will be worth it. I learned how to appreciate the small moments, connect with the local community, and most importantly I gained a better understanding of who I was as an individual. Studying abroad truly changed my perspective and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to call Florence my home. Through it all SAI remained a helping hand and the moments and memories made in Florence will be cherished forever.

Pros
  • Food
  • Fun
  • Friends
59 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Kelly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Experience of a Lifetime

I made lifelong connections not just with my roommates, but with classmates and locals that you just can't get anywhere else. I was also able to see so many iconic museums and art pieces that I will never forget! I really enjoyed learning Italian culture at FUA and getting the opportunity to be taught by an actual Florentine local! Fabio was my professor, and he was amazing! Took us on multiple trips around the city to learn about the culture and history of Florence and was so lucky to learn from him! The apartment living was fantastic! Very spacious and clean when we arrived, and had amenities not even in my apartment back home. Beautiful view of the Palazzo Vecchio! I would definitely recommend this program to anyone looking to grow their cultural competence and find a program within SAI that is affiliated with their home university!

Pros
  • SAI-sponsored actives offered to immerse its students into the local culture.
  • The Support Staff was always there if questions came up on the way.
  • Made lifelong connections that I keep in touch with to this day.
Cons
  • COVID Protocol (felt a little disorganized when a couple cases broke out, could be improved!)
  • Can be a little pricey (you definitely get your money's worth, but something to consider!)
77 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Rebecca
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Incredible, immersive experience in Florence!

SAI genuinely cares about the well-being of their students and is supportive yet encouraging of trying new things and not being afraid to tackle a challenge! Especially loved the proximity of the office to FUA and the "open-door policy" in them encouraging us to come to them if we ever need anything. The SAI Viva Experiences were amazing and integral in helping us get to know the city and Italy as a whole, as well as engage with authentic Florentine culture through activities such as gold leafing, bookmaking, and cooking classes! I really appreciated how SAI hosted a survival Italian course during orientation. The program caters to a variety of academic interests, so there is truly something for everyone. Many of the classes also offer field trips and field learning, exposing us to the community and new places even further. Love, love, LOVED SAI and would recommend it to anyone who is ready to challenge themselves and grow a lot! I came here solo and had a wonderful experience, just do not be afraid to put yourself out there socially and attend some of SAI's cool classes.

Pros
  • VIVA Experiences
  • Kindness and enthusiasm of staff members
  • Beautiful housing
Cons
  • No meal plan
85 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Justine
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Italian Experience

I had the most amazing experience living in Florence!! I stayed with a host family and truly connected with them and made lasting friendships. The city was absolutely beautiful and the food everywhere was amazing. The school I went to was amazing and we had cooking labs which I loved! The building I had classes in was also the culinary school so there were fresh pastries every morning in the cafe when I got my daily espresso during a coffee break in class. All of the staff were so welcoming and kind! There was also a ChatPal program through the school where I got to practice Italian and make friends and go out with local Italian students to really feel like a local. Also, SAI had so many fun activities in the city that really helped me integrate and learn about Florence which I was living in. From wine tastings with the owner of our favorite sandwich shop to day trips to the most magical towns, it was overall an amazing experience!!

Pros
  • Amazing oportunites
  • Cultural integration
Cons
  • Not a lot of italian required
88 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Josie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best 4 months of my life!

SAI Programs provided me with all of the necessary resources to have an amazing experience studying abroad. I studied abroad in Florence, Italy for a semester program. SAI provided many resources to help me acclimate to my surroundings and build a community within my program. They also hosted a survival Italian course so that I could learn enough of the language to get by. Compared to my friends from other study abroad providers, I felt much more well-adjusted and prepared for my experience. I also had a great living situation and made lasting connections with some of the people that I lived with. SAI assisted us with any maintenance needs as well as helping us to monitor our utilities. One of my favorite things about SAI Programs in general were the Viva Experiences. During my semester, SAI hosted a large variety of experiences such as cooking classes, bookmaking, gold leafing, visits to a mushroom circular farm, hikes, and many more! I always had a great time on these experiences and felt that the price of the program was reasonable for how many great experiences we were able to have. Lastly, I loved the on-site staff. I was constantly in the office because I had a semester internship with SAI. The office staff were always so friendly and helpful. It was such a warm environment to walk into each week, and I am thankful that I got to know them.

89 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Vittoria
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Worthwhile Experience

SAI was an amazing provider. They guided me through every step of the abroad process and provided me the resources I needed to succeed abroad. From picking us up from the airport to providing us with amazing apartments throughout Florence, SAI was AMAZING. Without them, study abroad wouldn't have been as impactful. They also set up experiences such as wine tastings and cooking classes for us to get more involved in the Italian Culture. I'm so grateful for the program and this experience. I could have never done it without SAI

122 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
John
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Florence Italy - Summer A 2021

The 6 weeks I spent in Italy may have been the most enriching experience of my life. Whether it was the friendships, memories, beauty, culture, history, or the food. I left Italy with a big fat smile on my face. I would recommend going abroad through SAI to anyone and call me biased but I would suggest going abroad anywhere in Italy. I resided in Florence which was a great place to stay because it was close to most places you would want to travel to in Italy and the food rarely disappointed. Not to mention the nightlife never got old.

What was your funniest moment?
Being referred to as Harry Potter and the tourists by locals.
149 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

Our programs range in price a great deal, since they are anywhere from 3 weeks long to full semesters. You can see a snapshot of all prices on our website here: https://www.saiprograms.com/admissions-aid/costs-dates/. Please reach out to our admissions team via Live Chat on our website if you'd like more detail.

I’ve never had study abroad before but the programs had been different than classes to be 120 but when I have my first spring semester but I’ve got different classes

Classes are within walking distance from the apartments, about 10 minutes. They are really easy to get to!