The American University of Florence (AUF) has partnered with Florida International University (FIU), expanding its global partnerships with a wine-focused initiative. This collaboration represents AUF's first curriculum integration program with a partner institution, as it supports the values of the university’s focus on experiential learning, cultural integration and community engagement.

Unlike a traditional study abroad program, the partnership between AUF and FIU was designed to better align with the academic major backgrounds of FIU students and encourage involvement in Florence and its local economy. The joint initiative demonstrates its intentions to provide additional possibilities for the combination of study and real life experience.

According to Salvatore Procopio, Hospitality Manager and Public Relations Coordinator at AUF, this partnership had been in development for many years.

“This approach started a long time ago,” Procopio said. “Fifteen years ago, I would say, and now this [collaboration] is a possibility.”

Procopio also explained that FIU partnered with AUF due to the similarity of their values, particularly related to experiential learning and encouragement of active participation of students in their studies. In his opinion, this initiative was designed carefully, with more than just a standard study abroad program in mind.

He also mentioned that AUF does not want students to remain “in a bubble.” Instead, Procopio wants them “to see and meet and explore” Florence, allowing them to connect their academic experiences to everyday life in Italy.

Procopio looks forward to the possibility that this cooperation may be the foundation for the future collaboration initiatives of AUF. He explained that the FIU partnership is an integrated model based on shared values.

“It can absolutely be adopted in the future,” Procopio said. He suggested that similar collaborations may continue to shape AUF’s international vision. 

Furthermore, this collaboration between FIU and AUF is a mission and values based initiative, centered around wine education. Both FIU and AUF have pre-existing curriculums centered around this field.

At FIU, hospitality students can participate in the Vidal-Duart Wine Studies Program at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. Students in this program engage in wine and food laboratories, wine tastings, guest lectures by industry experts and wine industry certification courses. The opportunity to spend a semester at AUF allows them to further diversify their wine knowledge and strengthen their professional profiles in Italy. AUF’s location in the heart of Tuscany, one of the world’s most renowned wine-producing regions, provides an ideal environment for wine education.

For upcoming fall semesters starting from 2027, FIU students will have the opportunity to study wine from both a business and cultural perspective. The FIU-AUF semester curriculum will include wine communication, marketing, hospitality operations and industry practices while emphasizing experiential learning. According to Procopio, students will apply classroom concepts through wine-based experiential learning at AUF Community Engagement Member Institutions (CEMIs) across campus, such as the Fedora Pastry Shop & Bistrot, and directly engage with wine professionals.

Field learning experiences will further connect students to the industry. Those enrolled in the program will visit Tuscan wineries, observe winemaking processes, learn about harvesting and production methods and interact with local producers. These opportunities will vary depending on the season, but are designed to immerse students in the realities of the wine business while exposing them to one of the world’s most influential wine regions.

Beyond academic knowledge, the partnership aims to provide students with meaningful cultural experiences. Through interactions with local communities, restaurants and industry professionals, students will gain a deeper understanding of how wine is connected to Italian traditions. Procopio emphasized that the goal is not simply to educate students in the classroom, but to encourage them to explore Florence, engage with the local community and develop skills that will benefit them both personally and professionally. By combining academic study, industry experience and cultural immersion, the FIU-AUF partnership offers future FIU students a unique opportunity to prepare for careers in the global wine and hospitality industries.

An FIU delegation visited Florence in June to officially sign an agreement to launch the new program, celebrating this long-awaited partnership between the two universities. More information will be released at a later date.