SAI Study Abroad: Florence University of the Arts (Italy)

When signing up to study abroad, I was unaware of how much it would make an impact on my life. When choosing a program, I went with what my advisor said and didn't do much research on my own; it was kind of a toss-up. Now, I always thank my university advisor because I don't think my experience studying abroad could be better. I was the student intern for SAI, and I LOVED all of the employees within SAI. They made activities so much more fun and were there to help with anything. The community at SAI was genuinely like no other. They spoke English, and they provided a home away from home feel. My roommates and I attended weekly activities through the program such as pizza making, wine tasting, or food tours! I can't get over how much I would suggest this program to someone looking to study abroad.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!!

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.

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