Explore the beauty of Cinque Terre in La Spezia at Florence University of the Arts Cinque Terre Riviera (FUA Riviera)! SAI offers two Summer 3 week sessions in the vibrant location, each with different start dates and course options: Summer I, Summer II. In addition to historically popular FUA courses, students can choose from courses that focus on the Riviera region such as Supply Chain and Operations Management, and Riviera Sketchbook. Students in the 3 week summer program can choose to add a 1 week program add-on course, extending their program to 4 weeks.
Application open until: March 10, 2026
Apps accepted on a rolling basis, and after closing as space permits
Application Requirements
Complete online application
Personal statement (300-500 words)
Transcript
Passport scan (photo & signature page)
Italian privacy consent form
Highlights
- Experience authentic Italian coastal life
- Select from courses that focus on the region and major port city location
- Option to also enroll in a summer session in Florence to explore two cities and enhance your total experience!
Program Dates
June 8, 2026 – June 26, 2026
dates may differ as a result of add-ons
Eligibility Requirements
Age: 18+
Academic Year: High school graduate or above
* Contact SAI if you don’t meet requirements
Cumulative GPA:* 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale)
English Language:* Non-native English language speakers must submit TOEFL: 500+ (paper-based), IELTS: 5+, OOPT: 50+, or equivalent.
Business and Economics | Marketing
Food and Wine Studies | Food and Culture
Food and Wine Studies | Wine and Culture
Italian Studies and Linguistics | Italian Language
Journalism, Communication, and Publishing | Journalism
Liberal Arts | Art History
Liberal Arts | Psychology
Life Studies and Human Sciences | Health Humanities
Life Studies and Human Sciences | Sociology
Successful completion of a basic economic course.
This course offers a comprehensive exploration of international trade, examining its theoretical foundations, practical applications, and the ongoing debates that shape global commerce. Students will assess how factors like market size, production capabilities, and geographical distance influence trade flows, to they will focus on the evolving composition of traded goods and services. Students will also examine trade policy instruments, such as tariffs and quotas, and their impact on economies. The course critically analyzes the political economy of trade, understanding the competing interests that influence policy decisions. Classes going beyond traditional trade, as they seek to evaluate contemporary issues like the rise of intra-industry trade, the increasing role of multinational enterprises (MNEs), and the ongoing debates surrounding free trade and protectionism.
This course further develops the main principles of marketing by exploring the strategic implications of marketing in different countries and cultures and identifying specific marketing techniques and the modifications necessary to accommodate cultural differences. Topics include global marketing, marketing planning, segmentation, culture and business customs, political and legal factors and restraints, economic and technological development, and the international monetary system. Prerequisites: Introduction to Marketing or equivalent.
The best way to get to know a city is to explore it by foot, wander its streets, gain confidence with its social life and surroundings, breathe in every corner of it, and be captured by the unique views, perfumes, and, especially in Italy, the food. Jean Brunhes wrote “To eat is to incorporate a territory” mainly because food, its ingredients, and the rituals connected to it, have represented the mirror of society since ancient times. This course offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself into the Ligurian Riviera gastronomy and cultural background through neighborhood walks and tastings, using the city as one of most beautiful classrooms. Walking will give students the opportunity to see things that they otherwise would never see and to taste what’s hidden in between the tourist food attractions. Going by foot means to stumble across areas of the city that are not always intended for tourists, maybe less fancy or famous, perhaps calmer and more beautiful, possibly with the best food ever tasted, along with neighborhood stories and curiosities to be discovered in tiny galleries or in hidden food and wine shops. The Riviera and its treasures are ready to be unveiled. Classes include tastings in gelaterie, gastronomie, enoteche, visits to food-related city spots, and suggestive walks in the secret Riviera. The course is intended to provide academic knowledge through guided field learning activities that include research, on-site involvement, and topic assessment for each food and wine themed walk in the Ligurian Riviera. The classroom approach of this course is based on experiencing the Riviera city as the academic space for learning and engagement. Classes are not held in a traditional, frontal-style setting; each lesson is carefully mapped for curricular content and featured locations: lectures, observations, exercises, analysis, and reflections on presented topics are held in relevant sites that are accounted for in the academic planning, syllabus, and related course material. Coursework and submissions will be regularly assessed on the Course website platform through daily assignments in addition to exams, papers, and projects. Learning through the on-site classroom approach fosters a deeper understanding of the cultural environment of the Riviera and how it is related to the subject of study represented by the course, and allows the overall experience to contribute to the students’ academic and personal enrichment.
The wine culture in Italy takes its origins from the successful combination of rural and noble expertise devoted to winemaking over the centuries. The structure of Italian wines, their harmonious qualities, and their refinement reflect the link between the farmer, who learns directly from nature, and the refined Renaissance gentleman, noble by education and tradition. The course aims to provide the student with the images, feelings, and flavors of wine across the cultural, architectural, economic, and historic aspects of Italian civilization that is now experiencing a second rebirth in the contemporary era.
This course builds on and extends fundamental skills developed in the beginning-level course. Emphasis is placed on developing fluency skills and integration of language and culture through more extensive reading and writing. Upon course completion, students will be able to express polite requests using the Present Conditional and develop their language ability by using direct and indirect object pronouns. This course is aimed at students who already have a basic vocabulary of Italian and some knowledge of elementary language structures. Prerequisites: One semester of Italian language or equivalent.
This course delves into the rich tapestry of the city, utilizing it as a dynamic classroom for developing and refining personal journal writing skills. Through on-site exploration, historical inquiry, and creative exercises, students will engage with the city’s diverse landscapes, cultural expressions, and historical narratives, translating their observations and experiences into evocative and insightful journal entries. Students will learn how to observe and engage with various techniques, styles, genres, and narrative structures in their journal entries, with the aim of fostering self-awareness and introspection. The approach of this course is based on experiencing the city as the academic space for learning and engagement. Classes are not held in a traditional, frontal-style setting; each lesson is carefully mapped for curricular content and featured locations: lectures, observations, exercises, analysis, and reflections on presented topics are held in relevant sites that are accounted for in the academic planning, syllabus, and related course material. Coursework and submissions will be regularly assessed on the MyFUA platform through daily assignments in addition to exams, papers, and projects. Learning through the on-site classroom approach fosters a deeper understanding of the cultural environment and how it is related to the subject of study represented by the course, and allows the overall experience to contribute to the students’ academic and personal enrichment.
This course examines significances and outcomes of the relationship between architecture and nature, exploring how the Riviera culture intertwined with the surrounding natural landscape adapting to and shaping it. The course focuses on the dynamic connection between villas and gardens built by the city public effort and private entrepreneurs or industrialists at the turn of the 19th century, when the Riviera area experienced its full economic development and the Italian art scene was accommodating to the Art Nouveau trend. Since the villa-and-garden system was the catalyst for the flourishing of social activities, the course explores the pivotal importance of parks and mansions in enriching the urban artistic patrimony as well as the community life wellness. The approach of this course is based on experiencing the Riviera city as an academic space for learning and engagement. Classes will not be held in a traditional, frontal-style setting; each lesson is carefully mapped for curricular content and featured locations: lectures, observations, exercises, analysis, and reflections on presented topics are held in relevant sites that are accounted for in the academic planning, syllabus, and related course material. Coursework and submissions will be regularly assessed on the MyFUA platform through daily assignments in addition to exams, papers, and projects. Learning through the on-site classroom approach fosters a deeper understanding of the cultural environment of the Riviera area and how it is related to the subject of study examined by the course, and allows for an overall experience which contributes to the students’ academic and personal enrichment.
“We see the world as we do, not because that is the way it is, but because we have these ways of seeing” (Wittgenstein). Social psychology is a scientific discipline that explores how the individual is influenced by social contexts. Students will learn to identify how social, environmental, and cognitive factors shape our thoughts, feelings, and actions. The course covers theories regarding attraction, aggression, conformity, and pro-social behavior. As this course is taught in Italy, students will have the advantage of observing and testing theories learned in class in a foreign environment.
“We see the world as we do, not because that is the way it is, but because we have these ways of seeing” (Wittgenstein). Social psychology is a scientific discipline that explores how the individual is influenced by social contexts. Students will learn to identify how social, environmental, and cognitive factors shape our thoughts, feelings, and actions. The course covers theories regarding attraction, aggression, conformity, and pro-social behavior. As this course is taught in Italy, students will have the advantage of observing and testing theories learned in class in a foreign environment.
The wine culture in Italy takes its origins from the successful combination of rural and noble expertise devoted to winemaking over the centuries. The structure of Italian wines, their harmonious qualities, and their refinement reflect the link between the farmer, who learns directly from nature, and the refined Renaissance gentleman, noble by education and tradition. The course aims to provide the student with the images, feelings, and flavors of wine across the cultural, architectural, economic, and historic aspects of Italian civilization that is now experiencing a second rebirth in the contemporary era.
Course Registration
SAI students complete their course registration directly with FUA through the FUA student portal. Upon confirming enrollment in the SAI program at FUA Riviera, students receive information for creating their FUA student portal and selecting their classes. Note: All courses must meet the minimum enrollment of 12 students to run; therefore, all registrations require selection of an alternate course for each primary course choice.
FUA registration begins months ahead of the application deadline. Courses will fill on a rolling basis.
Program Add-on Courses
SAI students enrolled in the FUA Riviera Summer I term are able to add one of the following 1 week Program Add-on courses to the start of their term, to extend their programs by 1 week:
- Cultural Introduction to Italy (1 week / 3 credits) – This traveling course gives students the opportunity to delve into Italian culture through lectures, visits to cultural sites, and food tastings. Please note that students enrolled in this program add-on course arrive in Rome on June 1, 2026.
- Cultural Introduction to Florence (1 week / 3 credits) – This field learning course provides students an in-depth introduction to Florentine culture. Please note that students enrolled in this 1 week course arrive in Florence on June 1, 2026.
Students can also choose to pair this add-on course with a corresponding regular summer course to earn 6 credits on the same topic. For more information and full course descriptions see Courses.
| Pre-Departure Calendar | |
|---|---|
| March 10 2026 |
Application Closes Applications accepted after closing as space permits. |
| Within 1 week of acceptance |
SAI Deposits Due $500 Enrollment Deposit (applied toward program fee) $300 Security Deposit (refundable) |
| March 10 2026 |
50% of Total Program Fee Due Students who are accepted and submit SAI deposits after this date will have an amended pay schedule. 50% of the Program Fee will be due within 5 business days, based on the deposit payment date. |
| March 10 2026 |
Financial Aid Agreement & Financial Aid Program Deposit Deadline Students wishing to utilize SAI financial aid payment deferment must complete the Financial Aid Agreement form and submit the Financial Aid Program Deposit by this date. Students whose deposit payment date is on or after this date will have a deadline of 5 days after the deposit. |
| March 15 2026 |
SAI Scholarship Application Deadline Students wishing to apply for a SAI scholarship must have all application items submitted by 11:59pm Pacific Time on this date. |
| March 24 2026 |
SAI Financial Aid Verification Deadline Students wishing to defer payment until financial aid disbursement must submit the financial aid verification form to SAI by this date. |
| March 24 2026 |
Enrollment Closes Students must complete their enrollment, including paying deposits, by this date. |
| April 9 2026 |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due (For students utilizing SAI financial aid payment deferment, any balance not covered by aid is due) |
| On-Site Calendar | |
|---|---|
| June 8 2026 |
Arrival & Housing Check-in Students arrive at Aeroporto di Pisa (PSA). SAI airport pickup is provided between 9:00am and 6:00pm, and students are transferred to La Spezia and their SAI housing. |
| June 9 2026 |
Orientation Events Students are welcomed to the program with an orientation that introduces them to their program while covering safety, policies, academics, housing, and culture. |
| June 9 2026 |
FUA Riviera Final Registration Course changes are not allowed after this date. |
| June 10 2026 |
FUA Riviera Classes Begin |
| June 25 2026 |
Final Exams |
| June 26 2026 |
Program End & Housing Check-out Students must move out of SAI housing by 10:00am to return home or pursue independent travel. |
| Pre-Departure Calendar | |
|---|---|
| March 10 2026 |
Application Closes Applications accepted after closing as space permits. |
| Within 1 week of acceptance |
SAI Deposits Due $500 Enrollment Deposit (applied toward program fee) $300 Security Deposit (refundable) |
| March 10 2026 |
50% of Total Program Fee Due Students who are accepted and submit SAI deposits after this date will have an amended pay schedule. 50% of the Program Fee will be due within 5 business days, based on the deposit payment date. |
| March 10 2026 |
Financial Aid Agreement & Financial Aid Program Deposit Deadline Students wishing to utilize SAI financial aid payment deferment must complete the Financial Aid Agreement form and submit the Financial Aid Program Deposit by this date. Students whose deposit payment date is on or after this date will have a deadline of 5 days after the deposit. |
| March 15 2026 |
SAI Scholarship Application Deadline Students wishing to apply for a SAI scholarship must have all application items submitted by 11:59pm Pacific Time on this date. |
| March 24 2026 |
SAI Financial Aid Verification Deadline Students wishing to defer payment until financial aid disbursement must submit the financial aid verification form to SAI by this date. |
| March 24 2026 |
Enrollment Closes Students must complete their enrollment, including paying deposits, by this date. |
| April 9 2026 |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due (For students utilizing SAI financial aid payment deferment, any balance not covered by aid is due) |
| On-Site Calendar | |
|---|---|
| June 1 2026 |
Arrival & Housing Check-in Students arrive at the designated airport location for the start of their 1-week course. SAI airport pickup is provided during the designated times, and students are transferred to SAI housing. |
| June 1 2026 |
Orientation Mandatory orientation introduces students to their field learning course and the city while covering safety, policies, housing, and culture. |
| June 1 2026 |
FUA Riviera 1-week Class Begins |
| June 8 2026 |
FUA Riviera 1-week Class Ends |
| June 9 2026 |
Orientation Events Students are welcomed to the program with an orientation that introduces them to their program while covering safety, policies, academics, housing, and culture. |
| June 9 2026 |
FUA Riviera Final Registration Course changes are not allowed after this date. |
| June 10 2026 |
FUA Riviera 3-week Classes Begin |
| June 25 2026 |
Final Exams |
| June 26 2026 |
Program End & Housing Check-out Students must move out of SAI housing by 10:00am to return home or pursue independent travel. |
| SAI Program Fees* | USD |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $120 |
| Security Deposit Refundable at the end of the term. |
$300 |
| Program Fee: 3 credits Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included). |
$5,400 |
| Program Fee: 6 credits Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included). |
$6,900 |
| Optional / Additional Fees: | |
| Optional Add-on Course (3 credits) 1 week course prior to regular program, includes housing. |
Coming soon |
| Optional Private Room Housing Supplement Private room in a shared apartment, with a shared bathroom. |
Coming soon |
| Add-on Course Credits Fee for enrollment over 3 or 6 credits. |
$550 / credit |
| Add-on Non-Credit and Field Learning Courses Fees vary and are paid directly to FUA. |
Contact SAI |
| International Mailing Supplement When applicable, students are charged an international mailing supplement to ensure visa paperwork arrives in a timely manner. |
$90 |
*prices are subject to change
Please see SAI Policies for SAI cancellation & withdrawal deadlines.
Note: certain SAI-affiliated US universities require specific payment arrangements. These may require that some fees are paid by the student directly to SAI, and other fees are paid to SAI by the affiliated university on behalf of the student. If you attend a SAI-affiliated university please contact your study abroad office or speak with your SAI Admissions Counselor for details.
| Budget | Low Est. | High Est. |
|---|---|---|
| Airfare to/from Pisa |
$900 | $2,200 |
| Books, Supplies & Course Fees |
$50 / course | $300 / course |
| Meals Includes groceries and eating out. |
$650 / month | $850 / month |
| Personal Expenses | $300 / month | $400 / month |
| Transportation within La Spezia Public transportation with some taxi rides. |
$100 / month | $175 / month |
| Weekend Travel Cost varies greatly by student. |
$300 / month | $1,000 / month |
This is a SAI 360° Services Program; it includes our full services!
- Program tuition and U.S. academic credit
- Accommodation in carefully selected student housing
- Airport pickup on arrival day
- Welcome reception and events
- Orientation to the host city and school
- On-site staff who foster a welcoming community for you and provide assistance when needed
- SAI Viva Experience: cultural engagement, excursions & wellness activities
- Student health insurance providing full coverage and medical emergency evacuation
- 24-hour on-site emergency support
- Farewell event
Pre-departure and Re-entry services
- Knowledgeable Admissions Counselor dedicated to you, providing friendly assistance
- Helpful pre-departure tools and resources
- Parent & family resources
- Online student groups to acquaint you with other SAI students
- Student visa advising
- Assistance with financial aid processing
- Need-based SAI scholarships
- Alumni Ambassador Program, with paid internship opportunities
- SAI alumni network
SAI offers all students the Viva Experience: frequent cultural activities, at no extra cost, for participants to get to know their community, city and country. Specific activities are yet to be confirmed; please check back for details.
Standard Housing: Student apartment
SAI student apartments are convenient and well equipped, with shared occupancy bedrooms (double or triple), and the option to upgrade to a private bedroom, if available. Typical residences house 2 – 8 students and contain a combination of private and shared bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom and living areas. Furnishings, a washing machine, basic kitchen supplies, bed linens and towels are provided. All apartments are equipped with wireless Internet. Housing configurations are designated as female, male, and in some locations, gender-inclusive. Staff is available to respond to any maintenance needs that may arise.
Passports
Passports should be valid for 3 months after planned departure from Italy.
Student Visas
In accordance with Italian law, U.S. students studying in Italy for 90 days or less are not required to obtain a student visa. Therefore all U.S. students do not require a student visa for this program. Non-US nationals should consult their local Consulate for information on student visa requirements.