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SAI offers the opportunity for students to enroll in FUA short programs during the semester, which are designed to allow a great deal of flexibility for untraditional study abroad timing. FUA’s 3 week short programs offer four start dates in the fall, and four start dates in the spring. Short programs can be combined back-to-back to create a longer 7 week program. In each 3 week program students select 1 or 2 courses for a total of 3 - 6 credits.
Application: now open
Sessions I & II close: June 15, 2023
Sessions III & IV close: July 15, 2023
Apps accepted after deadline as space permits
Application Requirements
Complete online application
Personal statement (300-500 words)
Transcript
Passport scan (photo & signature page)
Italian privacy consent form
Highlights
Program Dates
Session I: August 29, 2023 – Sept 22, 2023
Session II: Sept 26, 2023 – Oct 20, 2023
Session III: Oct 27, 2023 – Nov 17, 2023
Session IV: Nov 24, 2023 – Dec 14, 2023
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.
Short program students can apply for a part time 3 credit internship to be completed as part of the elective program. Students are placed in internships that complement their major or minor, and are supported by an internship supervisor. While Italian language proficiency is not required, it is helpful for expanding the placement options. At the completion of the internship, students produce an analytical report that synthesizes what they have learned. For more information on internships see FUA Internships.
Courses & Schedule
Short sessions are comprised of 3 week courses, with a one week break between each when combining multiple sessions. The 3 week courses run Monday through Friday (5 days/week), with finals at the end of each 3 week period. Students select 1 or 2 courses for each 3 week session they are enrolled.
Program Add-on Course: Cultural Introduction to Italy
SAI students enrolled in the Short Session I and II programs are able to add a Cultural Introduction to Italy (1 week / 3 credits) Program Add-on course to their programs. This traveling course gives students the opportunity to delve into Italian culture through lectures, visits to cultural sites, and food tastings. Please note that Session I students enrolled in this pre-semester course arrive in Rome on August 27, 2023. Session II students enrolled in this pre-semester course arrive in Rome on September 24, 2023. Read more about the course in a student blog post. 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 8 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.
Course Changes
Students wishing to make changes to their class schedule prior to departure can do so directly by logging into their FUA student account. Students receive an email confirmation from SAI once the change is accepted. Students are permitted to make course adjustments to their schedule prior to departure as needed. The last day to submit a schedule change prior to departure is approximately 6 weeks prior to departure. After the deadline, no changes can be made until the Final Registration period in Florence at which time only one additional change can be made, no exceptions.
Pre-Departure Calendar | |
---|---|
June 15 2023 |
Application Closes Applications accepted after closing as space permits. |
Within 1 week of acceptance |
SAI Deposits Due $500 Confirmation Deposit (applied toward program fee) $300 Security Deposit (refundable) |
May 31 2023 |
50% of Total Program Fee Due Students who are accepted and submit SAI deposits after this date will have an amended pay schedule. Either 50% or 100% of Program Fee will be due within 5 business days, based on the deposit payment date. |
June 30 2023 |
SAI Financial Aid Verification Deadline Students wishing to defer payment until financial aid disbursement must submit the financial aid verification forms to SAI by this date. |
June 30 2023 |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due |
On-Site Calendar | |
---|---|
August 29 2023* |
Arrival & Housing Check-in Students arrive into Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola (FLR). SAI airport pickup is provided between 9:00am and 6:00pm, and students are transferred to SAI housing. |
August 30 2023 |
Orientation Events Students are welcomed to the program with an orientation that introduces them to their city while covering safety, policies, housing, and culture. |
September 4 2023 |
FUA Final Registration Deadline |
September 5 2023 |
FUA Classes Begin |
September 21 2023 |
FUA Classes End |
September 22 2023 |
Program End & Housing Check-out Students must move out of SAI housing by 10:00am to return home or pursue independent travel. |
* Students adding the Cultural Introduction to Italy program add-on course arrive in Rome (FCO airport) on August 27, 2023 by 3:00pm
Pre-Departure Calendar | |
---|---|
June 15 2025 |
Application Closes Applications accepted after closing as space permits. |
Within 1 week of acceptance |
SAI Deposit Due $500 Confirmation Deposit (applied toward program fee) $300 Security Deposit (refundable) |
June 28 2023 |
50% of Total Program Fee Due Students who are accepted and submit SAI deposits after this date will have an amended pay schedule. Either 50% or 100% of Program Fee will be due within 5 business days, based on the deposit payment date. |
July 28 2023 |
SAI Financial Aid Verification Deadline Students wishing to defer payment until financial aid disbursement must submit the financial aid verification forms to SAI by this date. |
July 28 2023 |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due |
On-Site Calendar | |
---|---|
September 26 2023* |
Arrival & Housing Check-in Students arrive into Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola (FLR). SAI airport pickup is provided between 9:00am and 6:00pm, and students are transferred to SAI housing. |
September 27 2023 |
SAI Orientation Mandatory SAI orientation introduces students to their city while covering safety, policies, housing, and culture. |
October 2 2023 |
FUA Final Registration Deadline |
October 3 2023 |
FUA Classes Begin |
October 19 2023 |
FUA Classes End |
October 20 2023 |
Program End & Housing Check-out Students must move out of SAI housing by 10:00am to return home or pursue independent travel. |
* Students adding the Cultural Introduction to Italy program add-on course arrive in Rome (FCO airport) on September 24, 2023 by 3:00pm
Pre-Departure Calendar | |
---|---|
July 15 2023 |
Application Closes Applications accepted after closing as space permits. |
Within 1 week of acceptance |
SAI Deposit Due $500 Confirmation Deposit (applied toward program fee) $300 Security Deposit (refundable) |
July 29 2023 |
50% of Total Program Fee Due Students who are accepted and submit SAI deposits after this date will have an amended pay schedule. Either 50% or 100% of Program Fee will be due within 5 business days, based on the deposit payment date. |
August 28 2023 |
SAI Financial Aid Verification Deadline Students wishing to defer payment until financial aid disbursement must submit the financial aid verification forms to SAI by this date. |
August 28 2023 |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due |
On-Site Calendar | |
---|---|
October 27 2023 |
Arrival & Housing Check-in Students arrive into Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola (FLR). SAI airport pickup is provided between 9:00am and 2:00pm, and students are transferred to SAI housing. |
October 27 2023 |
SAI Orientation Mandatory SAI orientation introduces students to their city while covering safety, policies, housing, and culture. |
October 30 2023 |
FUA Academic Orientation FUA orientation includes academic policies and information, as well as opportunities to take city tours, join clubs, and meet professors. |
October 30 2023 |
FUA Final Registration Deadline |
November 1 2023 |
Holiday (no class) |
November 2 2023 |
FUA Classes Begin |
November 16 2023 |
FUA Classes End |
November 17 2023 |
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 | |
---|---|
July 15 2023 |
Application Closes Applications accepted after closing as space permits. |
Within 1 week of acceptance |
SAI Deposit Due $500 Confirmation Deposit (applied toward program fee) $300 Security Deposit (refundable) |
August 26 2023 |
50% of Total Program Fee Due Students who are accepted and submit SAI deposits after this date will have an amended pay schedule. Either 50% or 100% of Program Fee will be due within 5 business days, based on the deposit payment date. |
September 25 2023 |
SAI Financial Aid Verification Deadline Students wishing to defer payment until financial aid disbursement must submit the financial aid verification forms to SAI by this date. |
September 25 2023 |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due |
On-Site Calendar | |
---|---|
November 24 2023 |
Arrival & Housing Check-in Students arrive into Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola (FLR). SAI airport pickup is provided between 9:00am and 2:00pm, and students are transferred to SAI housing. |
November 24 2023 |
SAI Orientation Mandatory SAI orientation introduces students to their city while covering safety, policies, housing, and culture. |
November 27 2023 |
FUA Academic Orientation FUA orientation includes academic policies and information, as well as opportunities to take city tours, join clubs, and meet professors. |
November 27 2023 |
FUA Final Registration Deadline |
November 28 2023 |
FUA Classes Begin |
December 8 2023 |
Holiday (no class) |
December 13 2023 |
FUA Classes End |
December 14 2023 |
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 weeks / 3 credits Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included). |
$4,700 |
Program Fee: 3 weeks / 6 credits Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included). |
$6,000 |
Program Fee: 7 weeks / 6 credits Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included). |
$7,850 |
Program Fee: 7 weeks / 9 credits Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included). |
$9,050 |
Program Fee: 7 weeks / 12 credits Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included). |
$10,250 |
Optional / Additional Fees: | |
Optional Program Add-on Course: Cultural Intro to Italy (3 credits) 1 week course prior to Session I or II. Course begins in Rome, includes housing and travel. |
$2,700 |
Optional Private Room Housing Supplement: 3 weeks Private room in a shared apartment, with a shared bathroom. |
$300 |
Optional Private Room Housing Supplement: 7 weeks Private room in a shared apartment, with a shared bathroom. |
$850 |
Optional Homestay Housing Supplement Homestay housing in shared or private occupancy bedroom. Includes daily breakfast and weekday dinner. |
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
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 Florence |
$950 | $1,800 |
Books |
$50 / course | $100 / course |
Course Fees & Supplies |
$50 / course | $300 / course |
Meals Combination of cooking at home and eating out. |
$650 / month | $800 / month |
Personal Expenses | $300 / month | $400 / month |
Transportation within Florence 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!
Pre-departure and Re-entry services
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.
Welcome Dinner
SAI welcomes students to Florence with a buffet of traditional Italian delights to mingle and get to know participants.
Hike to Piazzale Michelangelo
Located just outside the old city walls, Piazzale Michelangelo offers a bird’s eye view of the city of Florence. Students hike to the top, stopping along the way for gelato. As the sun sets over the city, the group can experience the centuries-old Vespers ceremonial chanting by Cistercian monks in the crypt of the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte.
Wine Tasting
Students spend an afternoon learning about and tasting great wines of the region, perfectly paired with Tuscan specialties.
Italian Cooking Lessons
SAI offers Italian cooking lessons throughout the semester taught by a local expert Chef. Each lesson teaches students how to make typical Tuscan dishes and includes an appetizer, first course, and dessert. At the end of the lesson students feast on their own homemade Italian meal!
Farewell Evening
Students celebrate the end of a successful term abroad and say their goodbyes over a delicious Italian meal.
The following housing options apply to the regular program. Please note that add-on pre-session courses may have different housing arrangements during the pre-session time only.
Standard Housing: Student apartment
SAI student apartments are convenient and well equipped, with shared occupancy bedrooms (option to upgrade to 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. SAI on-site 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 US citizens studying in Italy for 90 days or less are not required to obtain a student visa. Non-US nationals should consult their local Consulate for details on student visa requirements.
SAI is dedicated to providing academic and cultural learning experiences abroad that enhance global awareness, professional development and social responsibility. We concentrate our programs in Europe, with a focus on in-depth learning of individual European countries and their unique global role in the geopolitical economy, humanities, and in the arts.