Study Abroad in Florence Italy

AUF’s study abroad programs take place within the dynamic context of Florence, Italy, a European center of culture and capital of the Italian region of Tuscany. The AUF curriculum goes beyond Florence’s known significance and impact on Western thought and civilization - thanks to the university’s educational model, the program is designed as a uniquely distinct study abroad experience. Through the mission principles of experiential learning, community engagement, and cultural integration, 

coursework immerses students as active members of the Florentine community. Students connect learning and experience to direct community contributions at the Community Engagement Member Institution (CEMI) labs of AUF academic divisions that are open to the public. Students seeking a deeper, socially-minded, and participative approach to a study abroad program can build with AUF a rigorously rewarding experience in flexible calendar options throughout the year

“At AUF, students not only learn in a stimulating international city context but directly contribute to the local community through the curriculum and educational modelAt AUF, students not only learn in a stimulating international city context but directly contribute to the local community through the curriculum and educational model.”

Piazza Santa Croce - Firenze - Italy - Copyright ©AUF

Study Abroad Programs at AUF

Studying abroad at AUF is characterized by the institution’s educational initiatives directly involving the local community and culture.  Our mission is to offer a unique academic experience, as well as an active understanding, participation, and contribution to the city by students from all disciplines, personal backgrounds, and nationalities. The benefits of studying abroad at AUF begin with a philosophy of community-based inquiry, an investigative and international outlook, andthe flexibility of academic sessions offered throughout the year. An exceptionally broad and stimulating curriculum is available through diverse areas of studies and academic disciplines.
In addition to academics, studying abroad with AUF features several extracurricular components such as educational field trips, getting involved in the local culture through community service and volunteer opportunities, as well as extracurricular activities organized by AUF’s Student Life and Development Office whose dedicated staff assists students through every step of getting them to Florence, from admissions to academics and centrally located housing.
AUF works with many affiliate partners worldwide for the direct acceptance of credits. For students from non-affiliated institutions, academic credit can be issued through AUF’s School of Record.

Studying abroad at AUF offers flexible options throughout the year.

PLEASE NOTE: Course schedules are viewable for a complete list of courses offered in all academic sessions. Academic calendars are available with dates according to the sessions. Course selections may be subject to change depending on enrollment and availability. The approval of credit loads must be pre-approved in any given academic session. Students who wish to earn credits in addition to the regular load per session must receive approval from their home institution.

The following sessions are held at our campuses in Florence:

AUF offers the following for-credit and non-credit study abroad programs:

  • Semester/Year
  • Quarter Programs
  • Intensive Programs
  • Field Learning and Study Away Programs
  • Experiential Learning Opportunities

Semester / Year - Fall, Spring, Summer

15-Week Fall and Spring Full Semesters

  • Credit load: Up to 18 semester / 27 quarter credits (upon approval)
  • Optional field learning week experience can be added prior to the semester (16 weeks) or in Intersession W2.

 

11-Week Fall and Spring Intensive Semesters

  • Credit load: Up to 18 semester / 27 quarter credits (upon approval)
  • Optional field learning week experience can be added prior to the semester (12 weeks).

 

12-Week Summer Semester

  • Credit load: Up to 18 semester / 27 quarter credits (upon approval)
  • Combines 3-week (Mon-Fri) and 6-week (Mon-Thurs) sessions over a 12-week period
  • Optional field learning week experience can be added prior to the semester (13 weeks).

Quarter Programs - Fall, Spring, Summer

  • The quarter structure combines consecutive 3-week intensive sessions
  • 1-2 courses (3 to 6 semester or 4.5 to 9 quarter credits) are typically taken during each intensive session
  • Optional field learning week experience can be added according to the academic calendar.

Intensive Programs

Intensive programs are offered year-round. Students can opt to take one 3-week intensive program or combine sessions. Summer sessions are also offered on a 1,4, and 6-week basis. Please consult the summer sessions for information on how they can be combined. 

1-Week Field Learning Sessions

  • Credit load: 3 semester credit / 4.5 quarter credit or non-credit option
  • Can be combined with other academic sessions.
  • These sessions consist of field study and travel research on location in destinations unique for their local cultures, economies, histories, and societies. Lectures, visits to historic and contemporary sites, tastes of local gastronomy, expanded cultural horizons, and contact with local culture will directly strengthen and challenge perspectives of Italy.

3-Week Sessions: August/Jan Intersession + Session I-II-III-IV (Fall, Spring, Summer) 

  • Credit load: up to 6 semester / 9 quarter credits (upon approval)

6-Week Sessions (Summer only)

  • Credit load: up to 12 semester / 18 quarter credits (upon approval)
  • 3 and 6-week sessions can be combined

Experiential Learning Opportunities (Year-Round)

AUF offers several opportunities to integrate experiential learning and professionalizing experiences in Florence. Program offerings are offered on both a for credit and non-credit basis:

  • Experiential learning integrated to 3 and 6-credit course offerings.
  • Special Project Experiential Learning (SPEL) placements within the AUF network of Community Engagement Member Institutions.
  • External Internship placements with locations approved by the AUF SPEL-Intenrship Department

Why Study Abroad in Florence

A city that challenges the concepts of past, present, and future: Florence, a European center of art, history, and culture, is the capital of the Italian region of Tuscany. Its geographic location allows easy access to every region of Italy; Florence has changed global and Western thought considering its revolutionary impact through the first banking systems, the widening of architectural and artistic perspectives during the Renaissance, and modern political science and philosophy. It is an excellent compass for navigating Italian culture through its linguistic importance, an ambassador of Italian regionality through its capital position in Tuscany, a site where many of Italy’s important moments unfolded throughout time. Florence today, with its unique characteristics coupled with a primary position in international and Italian tourism, economy, and culture, is an intriguing example of how past, present, and future blend together in a stimulating expression of the European city. Students seeking to study abroad in Florence find themselves immersed in an environment where all areas of human experience and study offer continuous and multifold opportunities to learn and be profoundly changed by the life and activity taking place here.

Course schedules are viewable for a complete list of courses offered in all academic sessions. Academic calendars are available with dates according to the sessions.

Course selections may be subject to change depending on enrolment and availability.

The approval of credit loads must be pre-approved in any given academic session, students who wish to earn credits in addition to the regular load per session must receive approval from their home institution.

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