Study abroad in Florence, Italy, during May Term and discover the beauty of the “Jewel of the Renaissance.” Home to thriving creative industries, endless artistic inspiration, and world-famous culture, Florence is an ideal location to explore the intersection of art and Italian life.
This May Term study abroad program in Florence will help you earn credits towards your degree while you discover the charm of Tuscany’s capital. Courses are taught in English and include experiential learning focused on immersing students in the Florentine community and Italian art and culture. With field trips led by our expert faculty, learning about Italian, art, literature, and cuisine becomes a hands-on exploration of subject matter like no other.
If you decide 3 weeks isn’t enough, this May Term program can be combined with a summer program session for a longer study abroad experience in Florence!
The AIFS Abroad inclusive program fee includes all of the great features below in addition to many pre-departure, on-site and upon-return services to help students make the most of their time abroad.
Review Our Policies3 semester credits
Italian language, studio art, art history, cultural studies, history, photography, communication
In apartments
Meal vouchers to use in a choice of selected local restaurants, cafés and grocery stores.
A variety of day trips and excursions are offered such as Pisa, and a visit to a farm in the Tuscan country side
Museum visits, dinner with locals, cooking and wine tasting classes, artisan workshops and gelato tours
to help with any questions or advice you may need throughout the program
Round-trip flights from 25 U.S. gateways
Airport transfers to and from program location
Milan & Lake Como (3 days)
Rome (3 days)
Meet Maggie, a college student from Auburn University! Maggie took over the AIFS Abroad Instagram story to answer questions about what it’s like to study abroad in Florence, Italy and highlight what a typical day in her life looks like there this summer.
Housing is in the center of the city, not more than 30 minutes on foot or by public transportation from the Global Education Center. Students using public transportation should budget approximately 45 euros for a monthly bus pass to travel from their housing to classes.
The included meal plan is one of the highlights of the Florence program, with almost 100% of students rating it “excellent” every summer. It gives you a unique opportunity to become part of the Florentine culinary culture, dining alongside locals in selected restaurants and trattorias or shopping in neighborhood grocery stores.
Florence was one of the wealthiest cities in medieval Europe and became the epicenter of trade and finance. The city is also considered the birthplace of the Renaissance in Europe.
Florence’s incredible artwork and architecture caused Forbes to label the city as one of the most beautiful on earth and the reason millions of tourists a year flock to see the historic center of Florence which is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Simona Michelotti
Laurea cum laude in Pedagogy at the University of Florence
Simona was born in Malta, but very soon moved to Italy. She is used to say that her heart is divided between her love for Florence and the one for South Tyrol. She loves to every day walk through the Ponte Vecchio admiring the beauty of Florence, but she cannot stay too much far away from the breathtaking Dolomites mountains, where she hikes or snowshoes according to the season. She is also a wine lover and loves to cook for her friends and family, as a typical Italian!
Very soon she understood the importance of Study Abroad, when during high school, she spent a summer at a college in Florida: a meaningful experience that somehow directed all her future choices.
Simona has been working full time for AIFS Abroad since 1998, covering different roles, such as Director of the Internship and Service Learning Program, Director of the Summer School, and she also ran a J-Term program on the Dolomites. She is now the Dean of the Florence Program, although she refers to herself as an Educator who has the honor to prepare the ground field for unforgettable learning experiences and change the students’ lives forever, exactly like it happened to her.
The Program Director provides academic advice, introduces you to the community and handles communication with the University.
Learning does not begin or end in the classroom. To help you get a true taste of Italian culture, the Program Director arranges activities and excursions.
Many activities promote a way of learning through “hands-on” experience as well as integration with the local community to allow students to get the most from life in Florence. Most events are included in the program fee and only a few require a small supplementary fee. Examples of activities are:
One of the best things you can do before departure is enter into the journey knowing that your time abroad will be unique to this experience. The resources, community, and support available to you when abroad will likely be different as well. In order to help you prepare for your experience, we have compiled the General Cultural Resources and Site Specific Cultural Resources for you to review. Your program staff will also provide you with more details during pre-departure and orientation.
Learn moreClosed
Program is closed
Participants can select an optional transportation package for all AIFS Abroad programs that includes a round-trip flight from 25 U.S gateways and airport transfers to and from campus. Participants who choose to book their own flights will be responsible for connecting with the group at the program location and will need to make their own ground transportation arrangements from the airport.
Below are fees by departure city based on average historical costs and subject to change. If you select this option on your application, the total flight package price will be confirmed approximately one month prior to departure. Your program fee is guaranteed, and the optional flight package is an additional fee. Please note that once we have finalized the pricing for your flights the cost may change, and you will be responsible for making the additional payment if you want to participate in the flight package. Your program advisor will be in touch should there be any changes in the price of your flights.
For more dates or questions, contact your program consultant:
(203) 399-5163 or email: aifsabroad@aifs.com