Pre-College Summer III 2027

*prices are subject to change

Please see SAI Policies for SAI cancellation & withdrawal deadlines.

The Pre-College Summer III program at The American University of Florence (AUF) is designed to give high school students the opportunity for focused study alongside college students while earning college credit abroad. Students spend six unforgettable weeks living and studying in the heart of Florence, enrolling in three courses, for a total of 9 credits. One of these courses will be a Special Project Experiential Learning (SPEL) course, offering students an internship-like experience where they learn skills in a real-world setting.

The program includes staff dedicated to the student group: 1 staff member for every 7 students, and staff members stay in the same accommodations with students (1 staff member for every 10 students at night), in order to be available 24 hours per day. The program includes planned activities and excursions for a rich social and cultural experience, as well as two meals per day. All courses are taught in English, and take students out into the city for first-hand experiences. View a sample program itinerary (PDF).

SAI students complete their course registration directly with AUF through the AUF student portal. Upon confirming enrollment in the SAI program at AUF, students receive information for creating their AUF 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.

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

The AUF Pre-College academic pathways are carefully crafted sequences of courses designed to guide students through a focused area of study within their academic journey. These pathways align with specific disciplines, offering a blend of foundational courses, specialized classes, and hands-on projects. Each pathway includes one course from AUF’s Summer Session III, one course from Session IV, and a 6-week Special Project Experiential Learning (SPEL) course from Session B. This structure ensures a balanced educational experience, combining theoretical knowledge with practical, real-world application, and setting students on a clear path toward their academic and career goals.

Students have the option to customize their own pathway to better align with their individual interests and their career aspirations. This flexibility allows students to tailor their educational experience, ensuring they gain the most relevant skills and knowledge for their future endeavors.

Marketing Pathway
Session III: Introduction to Marketing
Session IV: Digital Marketing
Session B (SPEL): Special Project: Experiential Learning in Digital Communication

Information Technology Pathway
Session III: Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence
Session IV: Information Security and Risk Analysis
Session B (SPEL): Special Project: Experiential Learning in ICT Operations

Pre-Med Pathway
Session III: History of Western Medicine
Session IV: Biomedical Ethics OR Public Health: Policy and Community
Session B (SPEL): Special Project: Experiential Learning in the Local Community

Art Pathway
Session III: Gallery and Exhibition Curating
Session IV: Introduction to Art History
Session B (SPEL): Special Project: Experiential Learning in Fine Arts – Gallery Assistant

Customized Pathway
Session III: Select a course of your choice
Session IV: Select a course of your choice
Session B (SPEL): Select a Special Project: Experiential Learning course of your choice