Quick Facts

• Take classes in a variety of subject areas including: Art History, Contemporary Italian Studies, Fashion Design, Food and Culture, History, Hospitality, Marketing, Management, and Studio Art.

• Italian language courses are available in beginning through advanced levels of proficiency.

• Elective courses are taught in English, with some being offered in Italian for advanced speakers.

• Internships available!

• It is strongly recommended that any Italian majors/minors and students whose goal is to become proficient in Italian meet with an Italian faculty member as early as possible and prior to selecting a program. Please contact Chiara M. Dal Martello (chiara.dalmartello@asu.edu) or Juliann Vitullo (juliann.vitullo@asu.edu) to discuss your study abroad plans.

Location Details

Florence is an artists' haven. This small city has preserved the essence of the Renaissance and gives the impression of living in an outdoor museum. This city stands out as a cultural, historical, and academic hot spot in Italy. Florence is perfect for first-time travelers, art lovers and people who prefer a smaller city that's easy to navigate. With a population of roughly 380,000 people, Florence maintains a small-town feel allowing you to walk to any major area or monument within thirty minutes. Students will have the opportunity to find out what life in Florence is really like while taking in some of the world's greatest art - close to 25% of the worlds greatest masterpieces are behind the walls of the Uffizi Gallery, the Accademia and the Bargello museums.

Read more about Florence here.

Visa Information

U.S. citizens will require a visa* if your program is more than 90 days in length. All students requiring a visa must also apply for a “permesso di soggiorno" ("residence permit") upon arrival in Italy. On-site program staff will assist students with this process. Students who arrive before the program start date may be required to obtain this independently without the assistance of program staff. Limited information about the visa application process may be provided by the ASU Study Abroad Office and/or your host institution, but it is your sole responsibility to research, apply, and secure a visa. Failure to obtain a visa may result in your inability to participate and, ultimately, your withdrawal from the program, subject to the terms of the Study Abroad Withdrawal Policy. 

Consult this page for additional information regarding visas.  If you need assistance securing a U.S. Passport, visit the ASU U.S. Passport Acceptance Office in Tempe.

PLEASE NOTE: Visa requirements for non U.S. citizens may differ from those for U.S. citizens; students who are not U.S. citizens are advised to contact their International Coordinator and begin independently researching the visa requirements for their nationality as soon as possible.

*At the time of writing. This information is subject to change without notice; students should independently confirm this requirement with the relevant consulate/embassy.

Academic Program & Courses

Florence University of the Arts (FUA) and Apicius International School of Hospitality (AISH)
The Florence University of the Arts (FUA) and the Apicius International School of Hospitality (AISH) were founded in 1997 as one of Italy's leading private institutions for higher education. The university has taken an international approach to provide education on a global scale, with over 40 countries represented in its student body each academic year.

Students will enroll in a total of 12-15 credits per semester. Students who have not completed a college semester of Italian language or the equivalent are strongly encouraged to take an Italian language course while on this program. Italian courses are offered from the Beginner to Advanced level.

Information about available courses can be found on the ISA website for the specific term.

Lower Division = 100 and 200 level courses
Upper Division = 300 and 400 level courses

Please note the following:

• Course registration is first-come-first-serve, and students must indicate their course preferences in their ISA online application.
• Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.
• Eligibility for courses may be subject to a placement exam administered on-site and/or prerequisites. For a specific list of course prerequisites, please refer to the course listing/course descriptions for this program on the ISA website.
• Course availability is based on enrollment numbers. All students should seek pre-approval for alternate courses in the event of class cancellations.
• Some courses have additional fees. These fees will be invoiced directly to the student and are NOT included in the standard program fees.

Credit & Grade Conversion Scale

Program Housing

ISA Housing provides the opportunity for students to experience aspects of the Italian lifestyle that are inaccessible to the average visitor of Italy. All ISA Housing options are either within walking distance or conveniently located to public transit routes. Travel times to the various university buildings generally range between 15 and 40 minutes depending on housing and class locations. Please note: All housing in Florence is subject to availability.

Apartments:
Rent is included in the program price. Students are placed in furnished, centrally located apartments. Bedrooms are double and triple occupancy and apartments have 1-3 bedrooms, lounge/living room, kitchen and bathroom(s). Each apartment is equipped with basic furnishings and supplies, including one single bed per student, a closet/clothing storage space, basic cookware and kitchenware, a table and chairs and furnished sitting area. Bed linens are provided but towels are not. A regular cleaning service is also provided. Many apartment units include a laundry facility in house or on-site. While apartments are standardized in terms of basic amenities, they can vary greatly in terms of both aesthetics and proximity to the university. All apartments are same-sex, non-smoking environments. Meals and laundry service are not included. A $500 refundable security deposit will be charged to students living in ISA arranged housing. ISA may retain some, or all, of this deposit in the case of damage to property, or if utility usage exceeds the allotted monthly amount.

Homestays:
Living with a host family is the best way to be fully immersed in true Italian culture. Each homestay has been carefully selected by ISA's resident staff in order to accommodate students' specific needs and to ensure a comfortable living situation. The majority of the ISA homestays do not speak English; however, some may have basic skills. Students typically share a bedroom with another ISA student. ISA participants living in homestays will be provided with two meals per day (except on ISA excursion days) and laundry service once per week for the official duration of the program. The homestay option is NOT included in the ISA program price. Please contact ISA for additional homestay fees.

Independent Housing:
Students may opt to secure housing independently. Students who select this option may receive a discount equal to the housing portion (room, board, and laundry) of the program price. By choosing to opt out of ISA housing, you are solely responsible for researching, reserving, and paying for all fees, deposits, and rent directly to the housing facility that you choose. Students who pursue independent housing will be required to complete an Independent Housing Waiver with the Study Abroad Office. For more information, please contact your International Coordinator.

More information about these housing options is available on the ISA website.

Below you will find information that may help you in planning for your study abroad experience. Early discussions and planning can help to support you in having a positive experience abroad. We invite you to meet with the International Coordinator for this program to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.

Physical Considerations

Study abroad participants may find themselves walking or taking public transit abroad more frequently than they are accustomed at their home campus.

Disability Accommodations Abroad

Individuals with disabilities can and do study abroad, but may find accessibility and accommodation in one of more of this program’s locations very different from the United States. For example, in Italy, the tourist centers, sidewalks, public transport, and public buildings generally have accommodations for the physically disabled. However, Italy is known for its old world layout and architecture, which may increase the challenge level for students with physical disabilities.

In general, the Study Abroad Office cannot guarantee access to public transportation, buildings, or public sites on this program. Any student who anticipates needing any kind of special accommodation due to a disability should contact the ASU Study Abroad Office early in the planning process to investigate the availability of accommodations (including accessible facilities) on this specific program. Contact the Disability Resource Center and your Disability Access Consultant to include them in the discussion; be sure to give your Disability Access Consultant permission to speak with the Study Abroad Office on your behalf. You can find additional information and resources on our Students with Disabilities page.

LGBTQIA Students Abroad

Students of diverse sexual orientations or gender identities will find that the social climate, laws, and norms of other cultures will often differ from the U.S. If you identify as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, or queer student - or if you are still exploring your identity - you may face unique challenges when traveling abroad.  

We encourage students who identify as members of the LGBTQIA community to visit the U.S. Department of State website for helpful information about laws and attitudes in this program’s locations, including pre-travel tips and advice on staying safe while abroad. You can find additional information and resources on our LGBTQIA Students page.

Gender Identity Abroad

When traveling abroad, you may find different gender roles and norms than you’re used to. It’s possible that you may be treated differently or be expected to treat others differently based on your (or their) gender identity. 

You can find additional information and resources on our Gender Identity Abroad page.

Racial and Ethnic Minorities Abroad

Students of different ethnic and racial backgrounds may encounter unique challenges transitioning from life here in the United States to life as a student living abroad, including but not limited to access to personal care products and services.

You can prepare yourself for the situations you may experience by researching the ethnic composition of your host country and exploring its history of racial and ethnic relations. We encourage students to start that research on our Racial and Ethnic Minority Students page.

Cost Information

Partnership program participants will NOT pay ASU tuition for the courses completed abroad. Instead, participants will pay a Program Fee as a condition of participation. Partnership program participants are also responsible for paying a non-refundable $50 Application Fee, in addition to the published Program Fee. All other costs associated with participation in the program are the responsibility of the individual student.

Be sure to reference the Fall Semester Cost Sheet, Spring Semester Cost Sheet or the Academic Year Cost Sheet for information on any additional estimated expenses.

The program may allow for time which can be spent in non-program activities. Participants may wish to travel, sightsee or participate in activities or events in which they have a personal interest. Please note that the participant is fully responsible for making arrangements and for all costs of transportation, lodging, food and additional expenses that may be associated with any non-Program activities.

Funding Your Study Abroad Program

Studying abroad is an investment in your future, which requires careful planning and management. However, the personal, academic, and professional rewards that you will gain from this experience will last a lifetime. You should carefully consider costs, budgets and financing when selecting and preparing for your experience abroad. If you have questions at any step of the process, we encourage you to reach out to your International Coordinator for guidance.

Steps to Financing Your Study Abroad Program

1. Review the Considering Costs Table for a general overview and cost comparison of popular programs.
2. Be sure to reference the Fall Semester Cost Sheet, Spring Semester Cost Sheet or the Academic Year Cost Sheet to find a breakdown of program expenses.
3. Attend a Financing Your Study Abroad Workshop.
4. Consider your Financial Aid options.
5. Search and Apply for Scholarships and Grants.
6. Exhaust your options by exploring Additional Funding Resources including our Community-Based Funding Guide.
7. View our  Financing Your Study Abroad Program Handbook for more information, including Payment Information.

Unique Funding Opportunities for This Program

• Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
• ISA Scholarships & Grants

Photos

Links to Additional Resources

• ASU Study Abroad on Facebook
• U.S. Department of State
• ASU U.S. Passport Acceptance Office
• City of Florence - The Official Website*
• Florence Online*
• Florence Museums*
• Lonely Planet - Florence*

*The ASU Study Abroad Office does not officially endorse, administer or monitor the content of these links.