Students enrolled in the 11-week semester 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.

3 Week Intensive Courses
Students enrolled in the 11-week semester program have the benefit of access to not only the 11 week semester-long courses but also the intensive 3 week short program courses that run throughout the 11-week semester. The intensive short program courses meet daily Monday – Friday for 3 week periods. The 3 week short course offerings are indicated as “Section: II”, “Section: III”, or “Section: IV” on the course list.

Program Add-on Course: Cultural Introduction to Italy
SAI students at FUA are able to add a Cultural Introduction to Italy (1 week / 3 credits) Program Add-on course to their semester 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 students enrolled in this pre-semester course arrive in Rome on February 18, 2024. Read more about the course in a student blog post. For more information and full course description 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 registration begins months ahead of the application deadline. Courses will fill on a rolling basis.

* Students adding the Program Add-On: Cultural Introduction to Italy course arrive in Rome (FCO airport) February 18, 2024 by 2:00pm

*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.

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 and transportation on arrival day
• Welcome reception and events
• SAI orientation to the host city and school
• SAI staff on-site dedicated to fostering a welcoming community for all students by providing assistance to diverse needs
• SAI Viva Experience: frequent cultural activities & trips outside host city
• FUA meal plan sample pack
• Student health insurance providing full coverage and medical emergency evacuation
• 24-hour on-site emergency support
• Farewell event with all students

Pre-departure and Re-entry services

• US-based admissions counselor assigned to you, providing friendly assistance
• Helpful pre-departure tools and resources
• Online student groups to acquaint you with other SAI students
• SAI Student Visa consulting
• Assistance with financial aid processing
• Need-based SAI scholarships
• Paid registration fees for national re-entry conferences
• SAI Ambassador Program for SAI alumni, 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. 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.

Florence Walking Tour
Students join SAI on-site staff for a practical walking tour of their new home to discover Florence’s historic city center.

Survival Italian Language
Students are offered a 3-hour survival Italian lesson during orientation week. It is a practical and hands-on approach to learning the Italian language. The intense lesson covers basic Italian conversation taught in the classroom and out and about in the city.

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.

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!

Traditional Bookmaking Workshop
Students are able to participate in the long history of bookmaking in Florence by creating a unique hand-sewn book using colored canvas and hand-marbled paper.

SAI Cinema
Birthplace of the cinematic legacy of Federico Fellini, Italy has long produced some of the world’s most celebrated films. SAI Florence offers an array of Italian film viewings on Tuesday nights.

Hike the Tuscan Hills
Students take an easy hike that begins in the town of Fiesole, perched on a hill overlooking Florence, which still holds ruins from its Etruscan settlement. A guided tasting of a selection of bruschette and local specialties follows the hike.

Tuscany By Bike
For students looking to get some exercise and fresh air, SAI offers a bike tour in the heart of Tuscany and the Chianti area. Students cycle through Tuscany’s breathtaking hills, vineyards, villas and olive groves. During the tour, students visit a charming medieval castle, enjoy a typical Tuscan lunch, and visit a classic winery.

Day Trip to Lucca and Carrara
Students tour the famous quarries of Carrara, where marble has been extracted since Roman times, including the blocks used by Michelangelo himself. From the breathtaking views of the Mediterranean visible from the Carrara Mountains, students descend to the town of Lucca. Famous for its 16th century perfectly preserved walls, Lucca is a wonderful place to take a leisurely afternoon stroll or bike ride.

Day Trip to Bologna
Located in the region of Emilia-Romagna, Bologna is known for culinary delights like tortellini, lasagna, Bolognese sauce, prosciutto and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Students spend the day exploring the city’s covered walkways, large squares and historic towers and churches. Home of the oldest university in Europe, the city exudes a young spirit and alternative culture that can be seen in the unique shops, street markets and typical eateries.

Fiorentina Soccer Game
See why soccer is the most popular sport in the world! Students experience the thrill of Italian soccer amongst the throngs of dedicated fans who sing, yell and cheer on their team.

Opera Night
Students get dressed up for a night out at one of Florence’s historical theaters for a performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s classical masterpiece La Traviata.

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.

Optional Housing: Family homestay (additional fee applies)
SAI homestay families are thoroughly screened and are accustomed to welcoming visiting students into their homes. Homestays provide a student shared or private occupancy bedroom, with a shared bathroom, in the family home with basic furnishings. Daily breakfast and weekday dinner are included (no dinner on weekends). Please note that some homestays may be outside of the city center and require a commute to reach school.

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.