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

Name: SAI Study Abroad: Florence University of the Arts (Italy)
Brand: SAI Programs
SKU: 15624
Rating: 4.94 (81 reviews)

Read 81 reviews

4.94 Rating

Leave a Review

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

Financial Support

Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, 529 Plan eligibility

Health & Safety

Learn More

View Other Details

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

Last Updated: Mar 14, 2023

Last Reviewed: Nov 29, 2023

Wish List

149 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

SAI invites students to surround themselves with the 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, 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!

Visit Site

Apply Now

Video and Photos

Students sitting around a table for lunch

View All 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.

Learn More

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

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Study

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

Good for Students, Foodies, Photographers

Showing 1 - 8 of 81 reviews

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!

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

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!)

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

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

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

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.

Questions & Answers

How much do the programs usually cost?

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.

By Chiara Hutchison on June 3, 2021

How many students are there in SAI per semester in Florence?

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

By bethany ellis on May 18, 2021

See all 2 answers

How far was the school/classes away from most apartments?

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

By bethany ellis on May 18, 2021

See all 5 answers

Alumni Interviews

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

Why did you choose this program?

I studied abroad in Florence, Italy at Florence University of the Arts with SAI.

I choose SAI because they offered classes in art. I am an art major and wanted to make sure that the classes I took would count toward upper-level courses in my major. What better place to study art than in the birthplace of the Renaissance?

Also, SAI was one of the cheaper options as far as third-party study abroad options go. While it was less money than other options, it was still expensive. That being said, they offered so many scholarships. I was awarded a $5,000 scholarship which covered most of the program costs. In return, I had to work in the study abroad office 5 hours a week which was a really great experience and something I can put on my resume.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

SAI was very helpful. They send you SO much information before you go on your trip and it's all SUPER accurate. Make sure to read what they send you.

They dealt with most of the logistics like when to arrive, getting you to your apartment the first day, helping you get acclimated to the city, arranging your class schedule, assisting with transfer credits after the program ends, and they even planned some day and weekend trips for us that were included in our program fees.

My university, Georgia State University, was not helpful at all. It is a big school and they focus more on university programs as opposed to third-party program providers so I was very much alone in the application and scholarship processes.

You usually have to get all sorts of paperwork signed and approved to study abroad for transfer credits and financial aid. You have to be on top of that paperwork, and make sure to keep copies. Because my school lost my paperwork!

Also, you have to book your own flights, but SAI tells you when to arrive and the dates you can leave.

View Entire Interview

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

Spend time in the city that you are studying! Don't spend every weekend traveling.

When I arrived in Florence I was shocked to learn that my peers had been planning trips long before the semester began. I felt like I was rushed to schedule trips to other countries so I did. I booked several trips that took me to Croatia, Morocco, and small cities within Italy.

But there was a moment when I realized that I had not taken the time to learn about Florence and that leaving the city every weekend was extremely exhausting.

If I had continued to travel I would not have become a local, I would not have ventured off the beaten path, nor would I have experienced all that the city has to offer.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

I took a total of 4 classes. Art History, Film Photography, Digital Photography, and Drawing. Each met once a week and I had them spread out for a total of 3 days. So Monday - Wednesday I had classes. Then I had off Thursday - Sunday. I spent most Thursdays doing homework and classwork, and either traveled on the weekends or explored Florence.

Florence is small for the most part. Everything is in walking distance. There is no public transportation except a bus, but it's rarely used unless you're trying to leave the city.

I lived very close to school, where I worked, and to the grocery store. So I usually grabbed a cappuccino on my way to class, walked home to make lunch, swung by the grocery store to buy dinner ingredients after my last class, and I may have finished the evening with a yoga class at a studio in town.

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 not like my roommates. I had never lived with anyone other than my family before going to Florence to study abroad.

I was worried they would be messy and our personalities wouldn't mesh well; however, my roommate that I was paired is now my best friend. We have visited each other several times since the trip ended and even met up in Florence a year after our study abroad.

SAI tries to pair students with people they think will live well together and if there are issues they are helpful about resolving issues and accommodating the students.

There were a few roommate problems in our apartment, but it was a good lesson on living with other people.

Is there anything you regret?

Yes! Not learning the language! Almost everyone in Florence spoke English so I never needed to learn the language. I never even tried because English was so readily available.

When I came home one of the most common questions I have been asked is "can you speak Italian now?" The answer is no! I spent an entire semester in Italy and all I can say is hello, good morning, and can I have a cappuccino. I regret not trying. Attempt the learn the language wherever you go.

Anne Morgan Carney

2017 Alum

Adam Tynan

2015 Alum

Tanyssa Behnke

Claire Shumaker

2013 Alum

Lindsey Kanter

2014 Alum

Laura Bennett

2013 Alum

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Ben Strevens

Program

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

Ben Strevens is the Director of Communications at SAI, and grew up visiting family in both the US and the UK. His frequent travels taught him to grow comfortably in different cultures, and he traces his interest in the field of international education to these early childhood experiences. Now a graduate of University of California Santa Cruz with degrees in both European History and Theater, when Ben is not entertaining the crowd, he can be found in the SAI office encouraging students to study abroad in Italy and England.

Did YOU study abroad?! If so, where and what inspired you to go?

male headshot

Ben: I did not, in fact, study abroad! As I mentioned, I spent a lot of time in the UK as a kid, so international travel was a part of my upbringing. In lieu of a formal study abroad experience, however, I took a year off between sophomore and junior year at UCSC and went traveling independently. I did a sort of “Grand Tour of Europe” with my backpack: England, France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany, Belgium and, finally, Scotland. It was an amazing experience and I know for a fact that it helped put my feet on the personal/ professional path that I walk to this day.

What principles does SAI strive to achieve?

Ben: SAI has provided focused learning experiences in Italy since 1995 and in London since 2009. SAI accomplishes its mission by providing high quality academics as well as a comprehensive and personalized approach to services from the first contact with each student. Through extensive pre-departure advising and superior on-site services and programming, SAI aims to enhance cultural understanding for every participant. Each program focuses on the historical, cultural, contemporary and natural factors that make its location unique while offering the structure, services and advising for students to create self-designed programs of study that meet their needs and objectives.

Any new exciting programs for SAI?

Ben: We recently added a brand new partner in Turin, so we’re currently working to promote that program. Turin is an amazing city with world-class art, food and culture; not to mention ski slopes! We anticipate a great deal of student interest!

With SAI, students will develop an awareness of their personal identities and how they relate to their identity within the global society.

A recent report suggested that up to 50% of incoming freshman intended to study abroad during college, but the reality is only 3% actually do. What’s going on here?

Ben: Well, there are many possible causes for this disparity. Study abroad is an exciting prospect for most students, but there are any number of hurdles that must be overcome on the road to making it a reality. The most common among these are financial and academic. Study abroad can be expensive (though there is financial aid available), and certain majors are not really encourage to take courses overseas; including nursing and engineering majors. I should mention that these trends are changing and I believe we’ll see a more demographically and academically diverse cohort of U.S. students studying abroad in the years to come.

How do you think study abroad and international education will change over the next 10 years?

Ben: One need only glance over SAI's detailed goals and objectives to get a better picture of the thorough and top-notch study abroad experience he/she will receive through SAI. With partner schools in Roma, Turin, Florence, Milan, Siena, Sorento, and London, SAI will help students gain a wealth of professional skills, all while cultivating a sense of personal and global responsibility.

About SAI Programs

Since 1995, SAI has provided students with exceptional cultural and educational experiences abroad, offering the opportunity to enroll in some of the finest schools available to English speaking students in Europe. SAI is dedicated to providing academic and cultural learning experiences abroad that enhance global awareness, professional development...

Program Details

Pricing

Program Highlights

Alumni Interviews

Jessica Vass

Why did you choose this program?

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

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

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

Is there anything you regret?

Staff Interviews

Ben Strevens

Did YOU study abroad?! If so, where and what inspired you to go?

What principles does SAI strive to achieve?

Any new exciting programs for SAI?

A recent report suggested that up to 50% of incoming freshman intended to study abroad during college, but the reality is only 3% actually do. What’s going on here?

How do you think study abroad and international education will change over the next 10 years?