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

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

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

$5,600
Price Details
Program cost includes tuition, housing & SAI's 360° Services
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Classes Travel Insurance Wifi
May 13, 2026
Jan 29, 2026
190 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

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. Students may also opt into a 3-week Cinque Terre program offered by FUA, with SAI providing on-site support.

SAI oversees all aspects of enrollment, including application processing, course selection and credit, visa advising, housing, insurance, and transcripts. From application through return home, SAI provides comprehensive support. In addition to on-site services in Florence, SAI coordinates activities and excursions throughout the term.

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

Students appreciate the program’s strong support, helpful staff, and well-located apartments in Florence. Classes often include engaging field trips, and many enjoy the included excursions and social events.

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

Video and Photos

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 Reviews

4.94 Rating
based on 87 reviews
  • 5 rating 94.25%
  • 4 rating 5.75%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 3.9
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.75
  • Housing 4.8
  • Safety 4.85
Showing 25 - 32 of 87 reviews
Jessica
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Semester Ever

Choosing to study abroad in Florence, Italy with SAI was the best decisions I have ever made. The on-site support staff was unbelievable. They were the most prepared, organized, and genuinely caring individuals that I have ever met and my experience wouldn't have been the same without them. They seemed to know what I needed before I could even ask for it. They were always there for support but didn't hover so that you could make your experience your own. They always had free or paid activities going on that you had the option to participate it. They kept us updated on local and home information via email and the facebook page. Florence in the most beautiful city and FUA is a good school. I highly recommend this program to individuals who love travel, adventure, food, and a life time of memories.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would stay for an entire year instead of just a semester.
153 people found this review helpful.
Arianna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best 4 Months of My Life

SAI Programs was the best!!! They were such a great help and amazing resource while I was there. They also planned incredible trips and activities for us that I would never have done otherwise. They were all super friendly and knowledgeable about Florence and utilized that all the time. I would go into their office just to say hello, work on a puzzle, or even ask them for recommendations for places to eat or where to buy certain things from I cannot sing enough praises for the Florence SAI staff.

Florence on it's own was my favorite city as well. It's full of such rich history, culture, art, and food, making it the perfect destination for anyone. There's always so much to do in Florence whether it's visiting world-renowned museums, going for a walk and grabbing gelato, eating amazing pizza on the steps of a historic church, listening to live music on Ponte Vecchio, or going to a bar with friends to grab an aperol spritz. Florence has a great social scene

I learned a lot about myself as a person, which I was not expecting because I thought I was pretty in touch with who I was. But, it was cool to learn new things about myself. I also feel like I gained a lot of cultural capital as well because I've visited, seen, and learned about all these amazing things, like art and culture, that I had only ever dreamed of. I would study abroad again in a heartbeat.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I tried truffle while I was in Italy, which is basically a fancy mushroom that's really expensive, and I had never had it before because it's not common in the states like it is in Italy. I absolutely fell in love with it. Every time I would go out to eat I would scour the menu for anything with truffle and would usually get it too. I just think this proves that you shouldn't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and try new things because you never know what you might find out.
113 people found this review helpful.
Hanna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Semester of My Life!

I had the best four months of my life, thanks to SAI! I was so nervous to leave the country and my family for that long, going so far away, but SAI was so helpful and welcoming every step of the way. I never once felt like I was on my own. By choosing SAI, the door was opened to so many different opportunities. They offered cooking classes, bookmaking classes, language classes, city tours, weekend trips, and so much more all included in your program cost. They did everything they could to help us dive into the culture and feel at home in our host country. I enjoyed my time with SAI so much that I decided to become a student ambassador for SAI on my home campus at Ole Miss in hopes to help students have the same experience that I did! They continue to provide me with opportunities to succeed even a year after my semester abroad. I highly recommend this program because they strive to make your experience the best it could possibly be for you. They want the best for you and it truly shows through every employee in the program!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
If I could do that semester all over again I would pack less and worry less. I definitely over packed when I went over, and I also feel like I stressed way to much about what could go wrong, rather than living in the moment every chance I got. I learned so much about traveling as well as about myself as a person through this experience. There really aren't many things I would change.
120 people found this review helpful.
Francesca
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Experience

I studied abroad in Florence for 6 weeks and it was the best experience of my life. I became very close friends with my roommates and we traveled, studied, and ate our way through Italy. SAI was always available to any questions we had and made my experience much better knowing I had a contact if something were to happen, or if I just had a question. I learned so much studying abroad and am glad that I decided to take the opportunity to go somewhere where I knew no one.
My favorite memory was hiking in Cinque Terre with my roommates. It was about a 2 hour hike, but the views and the bonding experience was indescribable and I would just wear something more comfortable next time.
i had class everyday Monday- Thursday, leaving me with plenty of time to travel on the weekends and get to explore everything that Italy had to offer. I went to 13 different cities in Italy, and I am happy I decided to stay in Italy rather than explore other countries because it allowed me to immerse myself in the Italian culture even more. Because I only had 6 weeks, I made the best of my time, and am happy I decided to explore all Florence had to offer, as well as the rest of Italy.

What would you improve about this program?
I thought everything about what SAI set up was perfect for me and all things went smoothly.
129 people found this review helpful.
Angelika
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

SAI Florence, Italy

I highly recommend studying abroad through SAI. They do everything they can to make sure you are prepared to travel abroad. While you are there they are always available to help you/answer any questions you have and they constantly held events to help you acclimate to your host city. The process of applying, paying, and getting credits through SAI is seamless. I highly recommend studying abroad through SAI. There were so many classes offered at the university that SAI had made sure were approved for credit at so many universities in the U.S. We were put up in real apartments, spread out around the city. It really helped you feel as though you really lived there because it was not a dorm. Also, everyone you meet from your classes is also spread out around the city. You have the opportunity to see so many apartments and different areas of the city you are in. If I could study abroad again, I, without a doubt, would work with SAI again. You won't regret it!

135 people found this review helpful.
Lillie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Best Summer Study Abroad Program

I loved almost every part of my experience abroad through SAI. The staff was always very helpful and accessible, FUA was a perfect summer school to study through with teachers that were experienced in their field and provided a new insight that is not common in America. I had plenty of time to travel on the weekends and explore both my host city and others in Europe. I took full advantage of every opportunity Florence provided me and was able to experience school, night life, and every day practices just as a local would have.

What would you improve about this program?
Have the apartment have more than one bathroom.
141 people found this review helpful.
Madeline
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Decision I Ever Made

SAI provides amazing cultural and educational experiences for study abroad students across the globe. I was nervous about traveling to a foreign country alone and being out of my element. Fortunately, the SAI program was always there for me and was a safety net for my abroad experience. Prior to my travels, SAI was always there to answer any of my questions and helped properly prepare me to successfully travel to Italy. When I was abroad, SAI offered so many opportunities that I took advantage of such as day trips and cooking classes. My time abroad would not have been the same without SAI and I am so happy and pleased with my choice to study abroad through SAI.

What would you improve about this program?
The only thing I would improve is the drop off from the airport. I felt that we were put in a taxi and dropped off in front of our apartment and was not shown around as much at first.
128 people found this review helpful.
Gwen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Best Semester!

I spent the fall of 2017 studying abroad in Florence, Italy with SAI. I can't thank their staff enough for helping me before I arrived, during my semester and even now that I am back at home. SAI provided me with the best housing, classes and trips I could have asked for. I always felt that I had people to turn to if I had questions or concerns during my time in Florence. I felt that SAI truly cared about each of their students and wanted us to have the time of our lives. I would recommend SAI and Florence to anyone looking into studying abroad.

140 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!