Spark your creativity in the heart of the Renaissance! The SAI quarter program at FUA allows students whose home schools operate on a quarter system to study abroad with ease. SAI quarter students at FUA select multiple elective courses from the wide range of offerings for a total of 9 – 12 credits. The quarter program is made up of three independent sessions, during which students can select 1 or 2 courses each. In addition to typical liberal arts courses, FUA includes such courses as Travel Writing, Pairing Food and Wine, Fashion Design, and Science of Happiness.
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Application Requirements
Complete online application
Personal statement (300-500 words)
Transcript
Passport scan (photo & signature page)
USF student conduct form
Italian privacy consent form
Highlights
Program Dates
January 3, 2024 – March 15, 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.
Quarter 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
The FUA quarter program consists of three back-to-back sessions: Jan Term + Short Session I + Short Session II. Students have a one week break between each session. These intensive courses run Monday through Friday (5 days/week), with finals at the end of each session. Students select one course from the first 2 week session and then 1 or 2 courses from the following three week sessions (see “Section” in the course listing to determine which session the course is offered).
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.
Pre-Departure Calendar | |
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October 1 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) |
October 5 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 15 2023 |
SAI Scholarship Application Deadline Students wishing to apply for a SAI scholarship must have all application items submitted by 11:59pm Pacific Time on this date. |
October 15 2023 |
Enrollment Closes Students must complete their enrollment, including paying deposits, by this date. |
October 20 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 4 2023 |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due |
On-Site Calendar | |
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January 3 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. |
January 4 2024 |
Orientation Events Mandatory SAI orientation introduces students to their city while covering safety, policies, housing, and culture. |
January 5 2024 |
Jan Term Classes Begin |
January 19 2024 |
Jan Term Classes End |
January 22 – 26 2024 |
Intersession Break (no class) |
January 30 2024 |
Short Session I Classes Begin |
February 15 2024 |
Short Session I Classes End |
February 19 – 23 2024 |
Intersession Break (no class) |
February 27 2024 |
Short Session II Classes Begin |
March 14 2024 |
Short Session II 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. |
SAI Program Fees* | USD |
---|---|
Application Fee | $120 |
Security Deposit Refundable at the end of the term. |
$300 |
Program Fee: 9 credits Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included). |
$13,100 |
Program Fee: 12 credits Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included). |
$14,100 |
Optional / Additional Fees: | |
Optional Private Room Housing Supplement Private occupancy room in a shared apartment, with a shared bathroom. |
$2,000 |
Optional Homestay Housing Supplement Homestay housing in shared or private occupancy bedroom. Includes daily breakfast and weekday dinner. |
Contact SAI |
Additional Course Credits Fee for enrollment over 9 or 12 credits. |
$550 / credit |
Add-on Non-Credit and Field Learning Courses Fees vary and are paid directly to FUA. |
Contact SAI |
Meal Plan Units Students can purchase meal plan units upon arrival directly from FUA. |
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.
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.
Market Tour and Degustazione
A walking tour of the Historic Florentine food market and gourmet shops with a food expert where we will teach you about the production process of the Tuscan prosciutto, Pecorino cheese and much more. You will taste, learn and savor in each spot. The tour will begin in a charming café where you will be able to sip a cappuccino and discuss the Italian coffee rituals.
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.
Pizza Making Class
SAI offers Italian Pizza making lessons throughout the semester taught by a local expert Chef. Each lesson teaches you how to make authentic Italian pizza from scratch. At the end of the lesson you get to feast on your own homemade pizza!
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.
Day Trip to San Gimignano and The Thermal Baths
San Gimignano delle belle Torri (San Gimignano of the Beautiful Towers) is a medieval hilltop town boasting more than a dozen historic tower houses and city walls dating from the 12th century. Follow in the footsteps of centuries of travelers along the historic pilgrimage trail from France to Rome to visit the city center, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. After visiting this quaint village, we will spend the afternoon at the Antica Querciolaia Terme, thermal baths. It is believed that soaking in hot springs increases blood flow, circulation, metabolism and absorption of essential minerals. People have been enjoying these thermal baths and hot springs for thousands of years.
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.
Farewell Evening
Students celebrate the end of a successful term abroad and say their goodbyes over a delicious Italian meal.
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 student-shared or private occupancy bedroom 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 US citizens studying in Italy for 90 days or less are not required to obtain a student visa. Therefore US students enrolled in this program do not require a visa. Non-US nationals should consult their local Consulate for details on student visa requirements.