Florence University of the Arts

Spring 11/12 Week 2028

12 – 15 credits

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Spring 11/12 Week 2028
Spring 11/12 Week 2028
Florence, Italy

Program Overview

Immerse yourself in Tuscan life! SAI 11/12 week semester students at FUA can enroll in an 11 week session, or opt for the 12 week session that includes a 1 week field learning course prior to the regular session start. Students select multiple elective courses from the wide range of offerings for a total of 12 – 15 US credits. In addition to typical liberal arts courses, FUA includes such courses as Travel Writing, Pairing Food and Wine, Fashion Design, and Health Sciences. Students in this program have opportunities to pair academic coursework with internships, and unique experiential learning courses for hands-on experience. SAI also offers a longer 15 or 16 week semester program at FUA.

Highlights

  • Complete an internship for credit.
  • Gain hands-on experience in experiential learning classes.
  • Spend 11 weeks in Florence – No student visa required!
  • Enjoy a variety of interesting activities included in your program.

Key Details

Application Deadline
October 15, 2027
Program Fee
Coming soon
Program Dates: 11 Weeks
February 15 – May 6, 2028
Enrollment Deadline
October 29, 2027
Program Dates: 12 Weeks
February 14 – May 6, 2028

Requirements

Age
18+
Academic Year
High school graduate or above
Cumulative GPA
2.5 (on a 4.0 scale)
Application Materials
SAI application
Personal statement
Transcript
Passport copy
Visa Required?
No

Academics

Florence University of the Arts (FUA) offers a wide variety of courses designed to give study abroad students a rich and well-rounded education. Courses blend classroom learning with hands-on experiences and experiential learning projects. Students enrolled in the 11 week program can enroll in 3-week or 11-week elective courses, while those enrolled in the 12 week program begin their program with a 1 week field learning course before the regular session.

Course Registration
FUA course registration begins months ahead of the application deadline and is open now. Courses at FUA fill on a rolling basis, and students seeking specific courses are encouraged to apply early.


Explore Courses More Details

What’s Included

This is a SAI 360° Services Program; it includes our full services!

  • Program tuition and U.S. academic credit
  • Comfortable and safe student housing
  • Airport pickup on arrival day
  • Orientation and welcome reception
  • Welcoming on-site staff
  • Student health insurance
  • SAI Viva Experience: cultural engagement, excursions & wellness activities
  • 24-hour on-site emergency support
  • Farewell event

Pre-departure and Re-entry services

  • Knowledgeable Admissions Counselors
  • Helpful pre-departure resources & groups
  • Student visa advising
  • Assistance with financial aid processing
  • Need-based SAI scholarships
  • Alumni Network & Ambassador Program

Financial Details

Program Fees
Application Fee $120
Security Deposit
Refundable at the end of the term.
$300
Program Fee: 11 Week Semester
Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included)
coming soon
Program Fee: 12 Week Semester
Includes tuition, 1-week field learning course, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included).
coming soon
Optional / Additional Fees:  
Optional Private Room Housing Supplement
Private bedroom in a shared apartment, with a shared bathroom.
coming soon
Optional Student Residence Housing Supplement – Private
Student residence housing in a private bedroom with a private bathroom.
coming soon
Additional Course Credits
Fee per credit for enrollment over 15 credits.
$550 / credit

*prices are subject to change

Please see SAI Policies for SAI cancellation & withdrawal deadlines.

Note: Some US universities have a special payment arrangement with SAI, where your university covers part of your fees on your behalf, and you pay the remaining fees directly to SAI. Not sure if this applies to you? Check with your study abroad office or your SAI Admissions Counselor.

Financial Deadlines
Within 1 week of acceptance
SAI Deposits Due
$500 Enrollment Deposit (applied toward program fee)
$300 Security Deposit (refundable)
October 1 2027
50% of Total Program Fee Due
(Students whose deposit payment date is on or after this date will have a deadline of 5 business days after submitting the deposit.)
October 15 2027
Financial Aid Agreement & Financial Aid Program Deposit Deadline
Applicable to students wishing to utilize SAI financial aid payment deferment process. (Students whose deposit payment date is on or after this date will have a deadline of 5 business days after the deposit.)
October 15 2027
SAI Scholarship Application Deadline
Complete application due by 11:59pm Pacific Time.
November 15 2027
SAI Financial Aid Verification Deadline
Applicable to students wishing to utilize SAI financial aid payment deferment process.
December 1 2027
Balance of Total Program Fee Due
Budgeting
Airfare to/from Florence $900 – $2,200
Student Visa
Visa and Permit to Stay fees (incl. possible travel fees–varying based on consulate location and student’s residence).
$300 – $1,500
Books, Supplies & Course Fees $50 – $300 / course
Meals
Includes groceries and eating out.
$650 – $850 / month
Personal Expenses $300 – $400 / month
Transportation within Florence
Public transportation with some taxi rides.
$100 – $175 / month
Weekend Travel
Cost varies greatly by student.
$300 – $1,000 / month

SAI Housing

Apartment shared bedroom

Standard Housing:
Student Apartment | shared bedroom

(included in program fee)

SAI student apartments offer a comfortable, community-focused living experience in fully equipped spaces. Apartments typically house 2 – 9 students and feature a mix of shared-occupancy and private bedrooms, along with kitchen, bathroom, and a common area. Each unit is move-in ready with essential furnishings, a washing machine, basic kitchen supplies, bed linens, towels, and wireless internet. Housing is arranged as female, male, and, in select locations, gender-inclusive. SAI’s on-site staff are available to promptly assist with any maintenance needs throughout the program.

Apartment private bedroom*

Optional Housing:
Student Apartment | private bedroom

*additional fee applies

Private bedrooms in student apartments offer a private bedroom with a shared bathroom. SAI student apartments offer a comfortable, community-focused living experience in fully equipped spaces. Apartments typically house 2 – 9 students and feature a mix of shared-occupancy and private bedrooms, along with kitchen, bathroom, and a common area. Each unit is move-in ready with essential furnishings, a washing machine, basic kitchen supplies, bed linens, towels, and wireless internet. Housing is arranged as female, male, and, in select locations, gender-inclusive. SAI’s on-site staff are available to promptly assist with any maintenance needs throughout the program.

Student residence shared bedroom

Standard Housing:
Student Residence | shared bedroom

(included in program fee)

The student residence offers a newly renovated housing experience that resembles a US dorm. This centrally located residence option houses students in shared double bedrooms with an ensuite bathroom. Residents have access to shared common spaces that include a kitchen, study rooms, cafe, gym, and laundry facilities. Bedrooms are furnished and include WIFI, AC, and heating. Please note that availability is limited, and students are placed in student residences on a first come first served basis

Student residence private bedroom*

Optional Housing:
Student Residence | private bedroom

*additional fee applies

The student residence offers a newly renovated housing experience that resembles a US dorm. This centrally located residence option houses students in private bedrooms with a private ensuite bathroom. Residents have access to shared common spaces that include a kitchen, study rooms, cafe, gym, and laundry facilities. Bedrooms are furnished and include WIFI, AC, and heating. Please note that availability is limited, and students are placed in student residences on a first come first served basis.

Academics & Certificates

Program Structure

Program Structure: 11 Week Semester
Students enrolled in the 11 week semester begin the program in Florence with 11 week semester courses. Students are required to be enrolled in courses the entire program duration. 

Program Structure: 12 Week Semester
Students enrolled in the 12 week semester begin the program with a 1 week field learning course (see course options and highlights below). Following the 1 week course students begin their 11 week semester courses. Students are required to be enrolled in courses the entire program duration. 

  • Cultural Introduction to Italy (1 week / 3 credits): This traveling field learning 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 1 week traveling course arrive in Rome on February 14, 2028. Read more about the course in a student blog post.  
  • 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 February 14, 2028.

For more information and full course descriptions please see Courses.

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, 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 course registration begins months ahead of the application deadline and courses  will fill on a rolling basis as they reach capacity.

3 Week Courses
Students enrolled in the regular semester program have the benefit of access to the 11 week semester-long courses and the 3 week short program courses that run throughout the semester. The short program courses meet daily Monday – Thursday/Friday for 3 week periods. The 3 week short course offerings are indicated as “Section: 3-Week Session II”, “Section: 3-Week Session III”, or “Section: 3-Week Session IV” on the course list.

Internships & Experiential Learning

Internships & Special Project Experiential Learning
Students can apply for a part time 3 credit internship or special project experiential learning (SPEL) to be completed as part of the program. Students are placed in field internships that complement their major or minor, and are supported by an internship supervisor & the FUA internship coordinator. While Italian language proficiency is not required, it is helpful for expanding the placement options. At the completion of the internship or SPEL students produce an analytical report that synthesizes what they have learned. For more information on internships see FUA Internships.

Experiential Learning
Many FUA courses incorporate experiential learning components, involving hands-on projects. Courses which include experiential learning components will include this information in the course details & syllabus. Students will work & collaborate within the FUA Community Engagement Member Institutions (CEMI) to fulfill various projects & tasks as part of their coursework. These practical assignments take place on-site and will occur outside of the regular class sessions, with varying shifts assigned from Monday to Friday (occasional weekend shifts possible), including the possibility of later evening hours. For more information see FUA Internships.

SAI Viva Experience

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. Following is a sample of the activities included in this program. Please note that actual activities may differ.

Wellness & Outdoor
A rainbow appears in the sky behind a group of young hikers.
Food & Drink
Women stand in a row in front of market stalls.
Food & Drink
Four participants pose with their pizzas and a Pizzaiolo in front of a Florentine pizza shop.
Food & Drink
Three women in purple aprons embroidered with
Food & Drink
A group poses in a local wine cellar.
Food & Drink
Young women hold gelato cones on the street in Florence.
Day Trips
Student group on a day trip to Verona.
Day Trips
A group poses in front of the city of Perugia.
Day Trips
Three female students in the Tuscan hills
Day Trips
Young women on a boat in Venezia, Italy.
Day Trips
Young men with a red Ferrari sports car.

Passport & Visa

Passports
Passports should be valid for at least 3 months after planned departure from Europe.

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 (nor can they apply for one). Non-US nationals should consult their local Consulate for information on student visa requirements.