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 closed
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: January 23, 2024 – February 16, 2024
Session II: February 20, 2024 – March 15, 2024
Session III: March 22, 2024 – April 12, 2024
Session IV: April 19, 2024 – May 9, 2024
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) 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 add-on course arrive in Rome on January 21, 2024. Session II students enrolled in this add-on course arrive in Rome on February 18, 2024. Read more about the course in a student blog post. For more information and full course descriptions please see Courses.
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, including the possibility of later evening hours.
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.
Pre-Departure Calendar | |
---|---|
October 15 2023 |
Application Deadline Applications accepted after deadline as space permits. |
Within 1 week of acceptance |
SAI Deposits Due $500 Confirmation Deposit (applied toward program fee) $300 Security Deposit (refundable) |
October 25 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. |
October 29 2023 |
Enrollment Closes Students must complete their enrollment, including paying deposits, by this date. |
November 24 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. |
November 24 2023 |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due |
On-Site Calendar | |
---|---|
January 23 2024* |
Arrival & Housing Check-in Students arrive at Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola (FLR). SAI airport pickup is provided between 9:00am and 6:00pm, and students are transferred to SAI housing. |
January 24 2024 |
Orientation Events Students are welcomed to the program with an orientation that introduces them to their program while covering safety, policies, academics, housing, and culture. |
January 30 2024 |
FUA Classes Begin |
February 15 2024 |
FUA Classes End |
February 16 2024 |
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 Program Add-on: Cultural Introduction to Italy course arrive in Rome (FCO airport) on January 21, 2024 by 12:00pm
Pre-Departure Calendar | |
---|---|
October 15 2023 |
Application Deadline Applications accepted after deadline as space permits. |
Within 1 week of acceptance |
SAI Deposits Due $500 Confirmation Deposit (applied toward program fee) $300 Security Deposit (refundable) |
October 29 2023 |
Enrollment Closes Students must complete their enrollment, including paying deposits, by this date. |
November 22 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. |
December 22 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. |
December 22 2023 |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due |
On-Site Calendar | |
---|---|
February 20 2024* |
Arrival & Housing Check-in Students arrive at Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola (FLR). SAI airport pickup is provided between 9:00am and 6:00pm, and students are transferred to SAI housing. |
February 21 2024 |
Orientation Events Students are welcomed to the program with an orientation that introduces them to their program while covering safety, policies, academics, housing, and culture. |
February 27 2024 |
FUA Classes Begin |
March 14 2024 |
FUA Classes End |
March 15 2024 |
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 Program Add-on: Cultural Introduction to Italy course arrive in Rome (FCO airport) on February 18, 2024 by 12:00pm
Pre-Departure Calendar | |
---|---|
October 15 2024 |
Application Deadline Applications accepted after deadline as space permits. |
Within 1 week of acceptance |
SAI Deposits Due $500 Confirmation Deposit (applied toward program fee) $300 Security Deposit (refundable) |
October 29 2023 |
Enrollment Closes Students must complete their enrollment, including paying deposits, by this date. |
December 23 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. |
January 22 2024 |
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. |
January 22 2024 |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due |
On-Site Calendar | |
---|---|
March 22, 2024 |
Arrival & Housing Check-in Students arrive at Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola (FLR). SAI airport pickup is provided between 9:00am and 2:00pm, and students are transferred to SAI housing. |
March 22 2024 |
Orientation Events Students are welcomed to the program with an orientation that introduces them to their program while covering safety, policies, academics, housing, and culture. |
March 25 2024 |
FUA Academic Orientation |
March 26 2024 |
FUA Classes Begin |
April 1 2024 |
Holiday (no class) |
April 11 2024 |
FUA Classes End |
April 12 2024 |
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 | |
---|---|
October 15 2023 |
Application Deadline Applications accepted after deadline as space permits. |
Within 1 week of acceptance |
SAI Deposits Due $500 Confirmation Deposit (applied toward program fee) $300 Security Deposit (refundable) |
October 29 2023 |
Enrollment Closes Students must complete their enrollment, including paying deposits, by this date. |
January 20 2024 |
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. |
February 19 2024 |
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. |
February 19 2024 |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due |
On-Site Calendar | |
---|---|
April 19 2024 |
Arrival & Housing Check-in Students arrive at Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola (FLR). SAI airport pickup is provided between 9:00am and 2:00pm, and students are transferred to SAI housing. |
April 19 2024 |
Orientation Events Students are welcomed to the program with an orientation that introduces them to their program while covering safety, policies, academics, housing, and culture. |
April 22 2024 |
FUA Academic Orientation |
April 23 2024 |
FUA Classes Begin |
May 8 2024 |
FUA Classes End |
May 9 2024 |
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). |
$4,830 |
Program Fee: 3 weeks / 6 credits Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included). |
$6,130 |
Program Fee: 7 weeks / 6 credits Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included). |
$8,110 |
Program Fee: 7 weeks / 9 credits Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included). |
$9,310 |
Program Fee: 7 weeks / 12 credits Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included). |
$10,510 |
Optional / Additional Fees: | |
Optional Program Add-on Course: Cultural Intro to Italy (3 credits) 1 week course that begins in Rome, includes housing and travel. |
$2,700 |
Optional Private Room Housing Supplement: 3 weeks Private occupancy bedroom in a shared apartment, with a shared bathroom. |
$350 |
Optional Private Room Housing Supplement: 7 weeks Private occupancy bedroom in a shared apartment, with a shared bathroom. |
$950 |
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 Includes groceries 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.
Pizza Making
SAI offers Italian Pizza making lessons by a local expert chef. Each lesson teaches participants how to make authentic Italian pizza. At the end of the lesson the group gets to feast on their own homemade pizza!
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 have different housing arrangements during the pre-session time only.
Standard Housing: Student apartment
SAI student apartments are convenient, clean, and well equipped, with shared occupancy bedrooms (upgrade to private bedroom available). Typical residences house 2 – 8 students and contain a combination of private and shared occupancy 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 private 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.