Which Program?

Choosing a program site can be difficult, especially when there are pluses to so many of them. You can choose a program for the city it’s in, or you can choose a program for the academic work it offers. We believe that all of our programs will provide a student with an exceptional experience no matter which one you choose, however there are certain reasons for selecting one over another that you may find helpful:

Florence is large, yet the historic center of town will be your “world” while studying here, and it can be walked end to end in 30 minutes. In that sense Florence is considered small and manageable. Because of strict rules, buildings remain from centuries ago and are not tall, as you might find in Milan and Rome. There is a wealth of culture in Florence that will surround you even as you walk to class; Renaissance art and architecture. Nevertheless, you will also encounter thousands of students (and tourists), since it is a top draw for study abroad. You will make friends from around the world, but it may be more difficult to meet Italians than it would in, say, Sorrento. Our programs in Florence cover a wide variety of disciplines; there is something for nearly everyone in the curriculum, as you will see in the class schedules. Specifically, for Communication, Studio Arts, Hospitality, Italian Language and European Studies they can’t be beat.

Siena is considered a Tuscan “hill town”. Roughly 45 minutes outside of Florence, it is an extremely important town in Italy’s history. The center of town is a charming, cobbled street labyrinth, with buildings dating back to pre-Renaissance. Siena’s cathedral is one of the most important in Italy. The town is surrounded by beautiful countryside and other, smaller hill towns to explore. Students come here to have an “authentic” Italian experience, in that they are likely to be using their Italian language skills often. The SAI program is a true “immersion” program in Siena, with students living with Italian families. It is a quiet town, though it has many Italian students attending the University of Siena. We recommend this program for those who would like to get to know Italian culture more personally; living with a family; getting to know the shopkeepers; being able to contribute to the community through volunteer programs offered to students. Of course the “Palio” horse race runs each year through the main piazza, bringing thousands of visitors to Siena during the summer. The Italian language spoken in and around Siena is considered by many to be the “true Italian”.

Sorrento is located on the north end of the Amalfi coast, on the Mediterranean. This program will include field trips and courses related to the rich historical history surrounding the area; Pompeii, Paestum and more. Sorrento is a medium sized town and the school is just steps from the sea. Students attending this program will find a welcoming Italian community, where you will get to know the local citizens. There are many cultural activities in Sorrento, since it is a popular sea town that draws people from around the world. At the same time, it is an intimate community; your housing will be just a short walk from the school. The Sorrento program offers not only Italian language, but also History, Science, Political Science, and Humanities courses. The town is quaint and gorgeous, nestled on the bluff above the sparkling sea and has much to offer for social gatherings, discos etc.. In the summer, you will experience an active beach life in Sorrento.

Rome is a large, grand and bustling city. Our programs in Rome excel in Business, Political Science and Art History, while also offering a wide variety of liberal arts. The Italian Language program at Italiaidea in Rome is excellent. Rome is an exciting city and you will feel “at home” in the Trastevere area of the city, where John Cabot University is located. Trastevere is the oldest section of Rome, and to this day it remains a cobbled street artist section; it feels like a small town within a city. Rome has huge piazzas, buildings, fountains and parks; everything in Rome is on a “grand” scale, much like the Roman Empire itself.

Milan is a large urban center, modern and busy. For Design students it is a “mecca” of sorts and we strongly encourage Design students to look closely at our programs in Milan. It is an exciting, sophisticated city, with contemporary art and design everywhere. While it is the hub of business for Italy, it is also a cosmopolitan city, drawing people from around the world. Its location allows for easy travel to many European destinations by train or air. The different neighborhoods in Milan each have their own charm and reason, making the city a place to explore for many months.

London; well what can we say about London. It’s an extraordinary city, full of art and culture, while also being one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. With the efficient subway (or “tube”) it is easy to traverse, while sites on the European continent are an easy weekend trip away. Our program at University of the Arts London offers excellent courses in many areas of Art, Design and Communications. UAL is considered one of the top universities in the world for Design, and its graduates can be found at top design houses around the world. And because London is so cosmopolitan you will get to know people from around the world without struggling through a second language.