01. Am I eligible to apply? Is there a G.P.A. requirement? [return to top]
Students are required to be 18 years of age and have a minimum GPA of 2.80. Students with a GPA less than a 2.80 will be considered on an individual basis, and should contact the Study Abroad Italy office to discuss enrollment.

02. Do you cater for students with Learning/Physical difficulties? [return to top]
Study Abroad Italy is dedicated to providing education abroad opportunities to students with physical disabilities or learning difficulties. If you experience any learning difficulties (e.g. dyslexia) which may interfere with your ability to pursue an academic course and which you wish to be taken account please notify Study Abroad Italy during your application. Although we may not be able to not offer any specialized instruction or specialized resources, we can offer understanding and respect and will do our best to replicate any assistance (extra time in tests, etc.) offered at Home Institutions.

Regarding physical disability it is important to note that Italy’s infrastructure and ability to accommodate disabled individuals differs from that which is available in the United States. Among our program choices, certain sites are better equipped to assist students with disabilities. As this may be a factor in choosing which SAI program abroad to attend please notify us of any and all disabilities before application.

03. Can I get a scholarship or other financial aid? [return to top]
SAI awards a number of full and partial tuition scholarships each term. See our page on scholarships for more information.

04. Can non-US students enroll? [return to top]
Yes. The School is an international institute catering to students from all over the world. The presence of students of many nationalities stimulates cultural exchange and enriches the scholastic environment.

05. What programs does the school offer? [return to top]
At the Florence University of the Arts (FUA) in Florence Study Abroad Italy is pleased to offer students the following programs: Semester; Summer; Intersession; Academic Year; internship program.The school only offers undergraduate course work.

See our program pages for details.

06. Does the School offer excursions or field-trips? [return to top]
A number of classes at FUA require academic field trips. FUA will also offer 2-night, faculty-escorted excursions to both Rome and Venice each semester for a cost of $300.

In addition, SAI will offer optional excursions to Sicily and other locations. Information on all available excursions will be sent out to students prior to their departure. See our excursions page for details.

07. Is the School accredited? Can I get US academic credit? [return to top]
Because Florence University of the Arts is an international school, it is not accredited in the US. FUA is legally established as an Italian school for higher learning. Students from non-affiliated universities will receive credits for courses at Florence University of the Arts from Fairfield University. Fairfield credits are transferable to any U.S. university.

See our US Credit page for details.

08. How do the course numbers work? [return to top]
Florence University of the Arts course codes consist of three pairs of alpha characters and one 3-digit numeric component.     

Example: LA HS MI 280
Some course listings combine codes for several levels of a course into a single line:The first 2 alpha characters designate the various colleges within FUA:
LA - Liberal Arts
FA - Fine & Visual Arts
LS - Life Sciences, Environmental Studies & Human Services
BE - Business & Economics
SC - Science

The third two alpha characters designate the course within the department.
The numerical character designates the level of the course.
Example: LA HS MI 280
LA: College of Liberal Arts
HS: Department of History
MI: Modern Italy
280: Lower Division course

Generally, undergraduate course (100 to 399) credits may be transferred toward fulfillment of requirements for the Bachelor's degree. The significance of the numerical portion is as follows:
100 - 299 Lower Division courses
300 - 399 Upper Division courses

09. What is the grading system? [return to top]
Classes at FUA are graded according to the following scheme:

10. Are courses taught in English? [return to top]
Since Florence University of the Arts is an international and not an exclusively Italian school, all courses are taught in English with the exception of Italian language (immersion style for English-speakers) and other classes marked "in Italian" in the catalog and class schedules.

11. Who teaches at the school? [return to top]
We are proud that our faculty is mainly of Italian nationality, all with excellent proficiency in English.

12. How many students are in each class?[return to top]
Studio courses have a maximum of 20 students
Academic courses have between 7-18 students
Lectures can have up to 30 students.

13. Do I have to take Italian? [return to top]
Semester students must take at least three credits of Italian language as part of their program. You may choose from one of the many Italian language courses offered. Summer session students are not required to take Italian language.

14. Do I need to take placement exams? [return to top]
An Italian language placement exam is administered to those students with some knowledge of Italian who plan to enroll in an Italian course. The exam is used to determine the student’s level of proficiency in order to ensure correct course selection. All placement exams are administered during Week one.

15. Do I have to buy books or pay any lab fees when I arrive? [return to top]
Multiple copies of most texts are available at the school library. When a student is required to purchase books, the cost for a semester or summer term generally does not exceed €50- €75 per course. Instructors of studio courses generally prefer that students buy supplies in Florence according to their own specifications after the first day of class. Art supplies are available at student discounts for prices comparable to those in the U.S., and paper is of particularly good quality at good prices.

All studio Arts classes (200 euro per class) and all classes with field trips. (various amounts) require the payment of lab fees on arrival in Florence.

16. Do I need a visa? [return to top]
All students must obtain a student visa (see our page on visas). Upon acceptance SAI will send you the application procedures for your student visa. It is very important that you start this process as soon as you are enrolled in the program, as the procedure will take time. For some Italian Consulates, SAI is able to handle the visa processing for you and the fee for this service can be found below in the on the costs page.

17. How do I travel to Italy? [return to top]
Student should arrange to fly into Florence. See our travel advice page for details.

18. Are there group flights? [return to top]
Group flights are not offered through Study Abroad Italy; students must make their own flight arrangements.

19. Can I arrange an airport pickup? [return to top]
All SAI students arriving at the Florence airport during the official check-in dates will be met by an SAI representative who will coordinate shuttle transfer to the school for program check-in, apartment check-in and cell phone pick-up. After check-in students and their baggage will be taken directly to their apartment. This service is at no cost to the student, covered by program cost.

20. Can the Host School store advanced shipments of my belongings? [return to top]
We recommend that you do not ship your belongings to Florence unless you will be there to receive them. FUA has no facility to store shipments.

21. Where is the School located?[return to top]
Florence University of the Arts is an urban institute comprised of several buildings clustered in the historic center of Florence. It is located within walking distance of such landmarks as the Uffizi museum, Palazzo Vecchio and the Ponte Vecchio. The school's main building, home to classrooms as well as the university’s administrative offices, is located at Via Magliabechi 1, steps away from Santa Croce church.

22. What is city like? Is it safe? [return to top]
Florence poses no special threat to visitors in either health or safety. It is perfectly safe to drink water from a faucet and to eat at any restaurant. As elsewhere in Italy, pickpockets are a menace, especially in crowds, on buses, and near the train station. Fanny packs and purses are easy prey to thieves. Women traveling alone will draw attention from Lothario-types, and walking alone after dark should be avoided (take a Taxi).

23. What's the best map/guide book for Italy? [return to top]
Most good bookstores have maps of European countries and cities. The best series of guide books for Italy of the Blue Guide series. In addition to maps, these guides will provide you with cultural and historical information as well as restaurants and hotel suggestions. Blue guides are published for Southern Italy, Northern Italy (including Milan), Florence, Rome and Sicily.

24. What will the weather be like/what shall I wear? [return to top]
Spring Term
Winter weather in Florence is cold, especially from late January through much of March. As on the east coast of the U.S., you will need an overcoat, scarf, hat and wool (or at least heavy) clothes. Snow usually falls only once or twice during the winter. April and May can be rainy months and have mild temperatures.

Fall Term
September and October are very mild, warm months. In fact, September is the Italians’ favorite time to go swimming in the sea since water and air temperatures are quite warm. The weather in Tuscany cools as December approaches; you’ll need  a jacket in November and warmer, heavier clothing in December. Rain falls often in November and December.

Summer Terms
The weather in June is fairly unpredictable in Tuscany. It can be either very pleasant or intermittently rainy and cool. In southern Italy, June is generally very warm. July and August can be quite hot; temperatures can range from 80 - 100 degrees Fahrenheit. August is the hottest month of the year, and Florence can be humid at that time. For precisely this reason, most Italians take the entire month off, and the beaches of the Mediterranean and Adriatic are filled with European vacationers.

25. Where will I live? [return to top]
Although you are free to arrange your own accommodation SAI, with our rental agency partners, offers shared student apartments in Florence.

Study Abroad Italy aims to create a comfortable living environment for each student by providing safe, well maintained student-level housing. We offer quality apartments and our staff will be on hand to greet and help orient you to your new city, and will remain available throughout the school term to answer questions and help with maintenance needs that may arise.

See our housing page for details.

26. What furnishings will be in my apartment? [return to top]
Each student shared apartment is equipped with the following:
— basic kitchen supplies
— furnishings
— one set of sheets per student
— washing machine and iron
Apartments are NOT equipped with: towels (students should pack or purchase towels in Florence); telephones (students can use their cell phones); clothes dryers (Florentines use clothes lines)

27. Will I have a phone? [return to top]
Study Abroad Italy provides all students with rental cell phones free of charge for the duration of their stay in Italy. No charges are made for incoming calls and text messaging received while in Italy. If a student opts to use the cell phone to make outgoing calls and/or text messages, relevant charges will be billed on a call by call basis.

For registration and billing information see: http://www.studentcells.com

28. How do I receive mail in Italy? [return to top]
Even though you may be in your own apartment or living with a family in Florence, your name is not likely to appear on the mailbox. Have all mail sent to you at the school. Your mail should be addressed to:

Student Name
c/o Florence University of the Arts
Via Magliabechi, n 1
50122 Florence
Italy

29. Should I bring my laptop computer? [return to top]
Bringing a laptop is fine as long as you know that it can handle the different electrical current in Italy (220V). Bear in mind that if you plan to use your laptop for internet connection, telephone charges, which are very expensive, will apply. Therefore, we suggest that you plan on using one of the convenient cyber cafés in Florence. Joining a cyber café is inexpensive and convenient, and most remain open late at night.

A laptop is not necessary for your courses at Florence University of the Arts.

30. What about Internet access? [return to top]
It is usually most cost-effective and convenient to make use of the many cyber cafés around Florence that allow you to join and pay for online computer time. The cost is reasonable, and most cafés are open until midnight each night, thus allowing you to use the computers on your own schedule. The cyber café will provide you with an e-mail account when you become a member (there are numerous choices, but SAI California recommends Internet Train); otherwise, you can set up a free web-based account, such as hotmail or yahoo, and pay the cafés on a per-use basis. In the latter case, it is best to get the account before departing for Florence so that you can give your new address to family and friends (and us).

The FUA computer lab is equipped with PCs and has internet access. Ask your advisor at FUA for more information when you arrive in Florence.

31. How should I handle money while abroad? [return to top]
We suggest that you arrive with enough traveler's checks to pay for your initial costs (rent, essential food items, books and supplies, etc.). After that it may be best to use your ATM card to withdraw money from your US account as needed. ATM cards are probably the easiest way to handle money; there are plenty of compatible ATMs in Florence. Check with your bank to ensure that your PIN number is valid in Europe. When planning major expenditures (such as rent), remember that you will have the same daily withdrawal limit (about $300) as at home. ATMs in Florence have instructions in English.

Try to keep 150 euro in cash with you at all times in case of possible emergencies. There are three basic ways of obtaining euros in Italy: traveler’s checks, ATMs and credit cards.
Traveler's checks in U.S. dollars are widely accepted. In Europe, US traveler's checks often get a better exchange rate than plain cash. American Express traveler's checks can be cashed anywhere, but the American Express office cashes them without a commission. The American Express office in Florence is located at: Via Dante Alighieri, 20-22. It is open M-F 9am-5:30pm and on Sat from 9am-12:30pm. You can also have money wired to you at this office.

Visa and MasterCard are universally accepted; American Express and Diners Club less so; Discover not at all. The exchange rate is good, and there are no transaction fees. Using your credit card at ATM's for a cash advance will work if you have a valid PIN number. You may also request a cash advance on your credit card at any bank.

32. What's the exchange rate for Euro? [return to top]
For exact current figures: Currency Converter

33. What is the cost of living in Florence? [return to top]
The cost of living in Florence is similar to that in the U.S. In Italy, a cappuccino costs about $1.50 and fruits and vegetables are perhaps a little less expensive than in the States, especially if you buy them at the open market. Telephones, on the other hand, are more expensive in Italy, as is energy in general (gas, electricity, gasoline), so things tend to even out. If you cook in your own house, you can live relatively cheaply. Italian consulates expect you to have about $1,000 - $1,200 per month for your stay in Italy, and this is a good estimate of the basic living cost.

34. Can I get a Job in Italy? [return to top]
Legally, you are not permitted to work as a foreign student in Italy. The school cannot be helpful to you in securing work.

35. Am I Insured? [return to top]
Study Abroad Italy automatically provides all students with HTH Worldwide Insurance "Health Select Overseas Policy". prior to your departure, you will receive an email explanation of benefits, as well as instructions on how to print your ID card from HTH and an "HTH (UNICARE) Authorization Form". This form must be completed, signed and returned to the Study Abroad Italy Office as soon as possible, or prior to departure.

See out insurance page for details.

36. Sample budget [return to top]