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SAI and FUA are pleased to offer high school students from all academic backgrounds the possibility of earning 6 - 9 college credits and living in one of the most treasured centers of art, culture and history in the world, Italy. Students will experience Italian culture hands-on while participating in a variety of classes in the arts and humanities in this summer enrichment program. Students in the 3 week high school summer program can choose to add the 1 week program add-on traveling course, Cultural Introduction to Italy, extending their program to 4 weeks.
Application: now open
Closes: May 5, 2020
Apps accepted on a rolling basis, and after closing as space permits
Application Requirements
Complete online application
Personal statement (300-500 words)
Official transcript
2 Academic letters of recommendation
Italian privacy consent form
Highlights
Program Dates
July 19, 2020 – August 7, 2020
dates may differ as a result of add-ons
Age: 15 to 18
Academic Year: Currently enrolled in high school or recent graduate.
*contact SAI if you don’t meet requirements
High School GPA:* 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
English Language:* Non-native English language speakers must submit TOEFL: 500+ (paper-based), IELTS: 5+, OOPT: 50+, or equivalent.
Program Add-On: Cultural Introduction to Italy course (1 week / 3 credits)
The 1 week Cultural Introduction to Italy course can be added to the FUA High School Session II program. The traveling course is comprised of field study and travel research on location in destinations unique for their local cultures, economies, histories, and societies. Students participating in this course arrive in Rome the week prior to their regular program start and spend one week participating in lectures, visiting historic and contemporary sites, tasting local gastronomy, and experiencing the culture of Tuscany. At the end of the week, students travel to Florence to complete their regular summer program. Please note: students enrolled in this add-on program arrive in Rome on July 12, 2020.
The High School Summer program is designed to give high school students the opportunity to earn college credit abroad. Students spend three unforgettable weeks living and studying in the heart of Florence. Students enroll in two elective courses for a total of 6 credits. The program includes staff dedicated to the student group: 1 staff member for every 7 students. In addition, staff members stay with students in accommodations (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.
Course Registration
SAI students complete their course registration directly with FUA through the FUA student portal. Upon confirming enrollment in the SAI High School program at FUA, students receive information for creating their FUA student portal and selecting their classes. FUA courses are competitive and registration begins months ahead of the application deadline. Courses will fill rapidly and on a rolling basis.
Please note that students receive an Italian transcript from FUA for courses taken through this program. A US transcript can be added for an additional cost.
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 as many Add/Drop 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 Add/Drop period in Florence at which time only one additional change can be made, no exceptions.
Pre-Departure Calendar | |
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May 5 2020 |
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) |
March 15 2020 |
SAI Scholarship Application Deadline Students wishing to apply for an SAI scholarship must have all application items submitted by 11:59pm Pacific Time on this date. |
April 20 2020 |
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. |
May 20 2019 |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due |
June 19 2020 |
SAI Pre-Departure Form Due |
On-Site Calendar | |
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July 19 2020* |
Arrival & Housing Check-in Students arrive into Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola (FLR). Airport pickup is provided between 9:00am and 6:00pm, and students are transferred to housing. |
July 20 2020 |
FUA Orientation Students are introduced to FUA, available resources, and their professors. |
July 21 2020 |
FUA Classes Begin |
August 6 2020 |
FUA Classes End |
August 7 2020 |
Program End & Housing Check-out Students check out of housing by 10:00am. Return transportation to Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola (FLR) is provided. |
SAI Program Fees* | USD |
---|---|
Application Fee | $100 |
Security Deposit Refundable at the end of the term. |
$300 |
Program Fee: 3 weeks / 6 credits Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI Signature Services (see What’s Included). |
$5,300 |
Optional / Additional Fees: | |
Optional Add-on: Cultural Introduction to Italy Course (3 credits) 1 week course prior to regular program, includes housing and travel expenses. |
$1,000 |
US School of Record Transcript For students wishing to receive US college credit for their courses. |
$300 |
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 note that students who successfully complete this program will earn a $500 discount toward any future SAI Signature Services semester/quarter undergraduate programs.
Budget | Low Est. | High Est. |
---|---|---|
Airfare |
$900 | $1,800 |
Meals Includes groceries and eating out. |
$400 | $475 |
Personal Expenses | $200 | $350 |
This is an SAI Signature Services Program; it includes full services!
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
FUA offers a rich and varied calendar of extracurricular activities to suit the diverse needs and interests of students. Following is a sample of these activities.
Connecting Cultures City Walks
Through guided walks through the most significant neighborhoods of Florence, students gain an understanding between the past and contemporary Florence, maximizing their experience by venturing into areas they might not explore on their own and connecting with the community.
Sports Night
This activity is a great way to keep in shape while expanding your knowledge of Italian fitness culture. Soccer is the mainstay of Italian athletics and the focus of our sports night. Even if you are not an athlete, everyone is welcome to both have fun on the field or just cheer on your classmates from the stands.
Musing Club
This activity offers an opportunity for students to explore the world of music and performing arts in Florence. Opera events, visits and performances are all part of this special club. Interested in expanding your knowledge of music or just seeing an exciting performance? This activity is for you!
Aperiganzo/Aperiat
Students join weekly art openings, book presentations and talks at AperiGanzo. This is a great opportunity to meet artists, authors and mingle with fellow classmates, FUA professors and members of the Italian community.
Blending Journalism
Blending is a journalistic collaboration that offers students the opportunity to express ideas through investigative and creative writing and photography. Writers, photographers, copy editors and graphic designers who are excited about publishing their experiences and perspectives gained in Florence, as well as novice writers that just looking for a format to document their experience in Florence are all welcome. Summer editions include two newsletters.
COURSE ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS
Courses in the schedule may feature one of the following two FUA learning methodologies that are an integral and mandatory component of the academic coursework. The methodologies are intended to engage students within the local culture and community through academically structured initiatives.
Experiential Learning
In addition to regular lecture hours, students will be involved in learning by doing through real projects and integration with the local population and territory in order to remove cultural and learning barriers as well as develop a strong likelihood for success in life. The experiential learning hours are fully supervised by instructions who track students step by step during their learning experience, monitor and advise according to student needs, and support student initiative. The unique learning model allows students to benefit from an all-encompassing educational experience based on theory and practice in real enterprises, learning of comprehensive operational processes, problem-solving, leadership, and management.
Field Learning
Field learning at FUA is a method of educating through first-hand experience. Skills, knowledge, and experience are acquired outside of the traditional academic classroom setting and may include field activities, field research, and service-learning projects. The field learning experience is cultural; because it is intended to be wide-reaching, field-related content is not limited to the course subject but seeks to supplement and enrich academic topics. Students will have the opportunity to integrate theory and practice while experiencing Italian culture, art, and community within the Italian territory. Faculty will lead students in experiencing Italian culture through guided projects and field experiences as planned for the course. Field learning will be developed through classroom preparation, follow up projects, and guided learning outcomes. Field learning will provide students with the opportunity to develop skills and appreciate the multifold components of Italian Culture through direct experience. Field education will advance student learning as a relationship-centered process.
Students enrolled in the high school program are offered safe and relaxing accommodations, fully equipped and monitored 24/7 by live-in Resident Assistants. Student housing is located in the city center, a few steps from the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and FUA classrooms in dorm-style accommodations. There are shared kitchens on each floor, air conditioning, and wifi throughout the building.
During the add-on pre-session course, Cultural Introduction to Italy, students are housed in various hotels along with their Resident Assistants.
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.
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.