Florence University of the Arts (Italy)
The Program
In a city so rich in history and culture, a program with a hands-on focus is the perfect opportunity to fully experience Florentine and Italian life.
Florence University of the Arts' (FUA) 8 academic divisions represent a unique approach to global and local learning. In addition to academics, studying abroad with FUA features several experiential components such as educational field-trips, getting involved in the local culture through community service and volunteer opportunities, and extracurricular activities.
Program Locations
Italy
Florence
Florence, the capital of Tuscany, is a relatively small city but one whose cultural influence on the world has been enormous. As a wealthy center of finance and commerce in medieval Europe, it was the cradle of the Renaissance. Florence was the birthplace or home, too, of such diverse figures as Dante and Gucci, Michelangelo and Galileo. In the Uffizi Gallery, you can stand and admire Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, The Annunciation by Leonardo da Vinci, and Titian’s Venus of Urbino, to name but three. Outside, on the streets of the Renaissance city, you’ll pass Brunelleschi’s Duomo and cross the River Arno by way of the Ponte Vecchio, a famous medieval bridge. And if all that history and culture should give you an appetite, Florence also has some of the world’s most refreshing gelato—not to mention fresh seafood, handmade pasta, mouth-watering pizza, and much more.
Academics
In order to have an idea of what classes are available, you should visit the Florence University of the Arts website.
Florence University of the Arts offers a variety of courses in journalism, digital media, marketing, business, management, entrepreneurship, food and wine studies, photography, and digital media, fashion studies and technology, art therapy, dietetics and nutrition, cultural anthropology, hospitality and tourism management, etc.
Please note, Fall 2020 & Spring 2021 semesters are being run as "intensive" semesters (11 or 12 week program).
11 or 12-Week Fall and Spring Intensive Semesters
- 11 weeks of semester-long courses
- Optional addition: 1-week pre-semester Cultural Introduction to Italy Field Learning course (1.5 RU credits / 3 FUA credits) may be added prior to the semester for a 12-week program.
- Credit load: 12 to 18 credits (upon approval)
- Students taking the pre-semester course should enroll in 12 additional credits at FUA.
*Note: the (pre-semester) Cultural Introduction to Italy Field Learning class is worth 1.5 Rutgers credits. This is a great opportunity to see some of Italy prior to your classes in Florence beginning!
You will need to be sure that you are registered as a full time student according to Florence University of the Arts and Rutgers University. That means you will need to take at least 12 credits while abroad. The credit translation system between Florence University of the Arts and Rutgers University is 1:1, meaning a 3-credit course at Florence University of the Arts will also be a 3-credit course on your Rutgers University transcript. You will receive 3-4 credits per class taken with Florence University of the Arts. In some cases classes will only be worth 1-2 credits; however this is rare and usually related to art and culture electives. It is not possible to take classes as not-for-credit or pass/fail.
For information about Study Abroad credit transfer, registration, and transcripts please visit the Academics section of our website.
Housing and Meals
Housing assignments are made at the discretion of Florence University of the Arts. Should you request housing outside of the standard placements, you will be responsible for the pricing difference. This includes, but is not limited to, placement in single rooms or homestays.
Shared Apartments
You will be housed in shared apartments throughout the historic center of Florence, within a 15-20 walk to Palazzi and FUA facilities - This is the standard housing option. The apartments are fully furnished and fully functional. Utilities are included in the housing cost. The standard layout of the apartments consists of multiple bedrooms, multiple bathrooms (variable), kitchen, living/dining room space. The bedrooms range from single bedrooms for *one occupant to triple bedrooms, with the occasional quad space. Shared bedrooms host 2 to 4 occupants. Although apartments have similar facilities, no two apartments are alike. They are not all located in the same neighborhood, but are all within walking distance to campus or the nearest bus route.
Homestays*
In a homestay, students will live with a host family and be immersed in the Italian culture and language. Breakfast and dinner are provided Monday through Thursday by the host family. It should be noted that not all host families are a nuclear family with parents and children. Depending on the families, hosts can vary in terms of age and family situation. Students choosing the host family option live with an Italian family within the greater area of Florence and not necessarily in the historic city center. Although the location will be easily connected, most home-stays require a short bus ride to reach the city center and school. Meals will be served at a specific time and students are required to attend dinner, thus punctuality is important as well as notifying in advance the host family when students wish to dine out.
*at an additional cost, and limited availability
Financial Information
Program Costs
| All Students | |
|---|---|
| Program Cost | $12,890 |
Program Cost includes:
• Tuition up to 15-credits
• Housing (standard apartment includes meal plan units equivalent to 5 continental breakfast per week)
• Pre-semester program - Cultural Introduction to Italy
• Administrative Fees
• International SOS Health Insurance
Out-of-Pocket Costs
| Airfare | $1,200 |
| Meals | $2,500 |
| Visa (Estimate is for US Citizens) | $56 |
| Residence Permit (Estimate is for US Citizens) | $200 |
| Books and Classroom Materials | $200 |
| Local Transportation | $250 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,500 |
| Total | $6,906.00 |
Out-of-Pocket Cost includes:
The above costs are estimations and represent the known out-of-pocket costs students encounter during their time abroad.
Some of these expenses will be paid for prior to going abroad, such as an airline ticket and visa costs, while some of these expenses, such as meals and local transportation, will be paid in-country as part of your daily expenses. As you plan, you will need to budget these costs and spend wisely throughout your time abroad.
Program Costs
| All Students | |
|---|---|
| Program Cost | $14,090 |
Program Cost includes:
• Tuition up to 18 credits
• Housing (standard apartment includes meal plan units equivalent to 5 continental breakfast per week)
• Pre-semester program - Cultural Introduction to Italy
• Administrative Fees
• International SOS Health Insurance
Out-of-Pocket Costs
| Airfare | $1,200 |
| Meals | $2,500 |
| Visa (Estimate is for US Citizens) | $56 |
| Residence Permit (Estimate is for US Citizens) | $200 |
| Books and Classroom Materials | $200 |
| Local Transportation | $250 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,500 |
| Total | $6,906.00 |
Out-of-Pocket Cost includes:
The above costs are estimations and represent the known out-of-pocket costs students encounter during their time abroad.
Some of these expenses will be paid for prior to going abroad, such as an airline ticket and visa costs, while some of these expenses, such as meals and local transportation, will be paid in-country as part of your daily expenses. As you plan, you will need to budget these costs and spend wisely throughout your time abroad.
Program Costs
| All Students | |
|---|---|
| Program Cost | $12,890 |
Program Cost includes:
• Tuition up to 15-credits
• Housing (standard apartment includes meal plan units equivalent to 5 continental breakfast per week)
• Pre-semester program - Cultural Introduction to Italy
• Administrative Fees
• International SOS Health Insurance
Out-of-Pocket Costs
| Airfare | $1,200 |
| Meals | $2,500 |
| Visa (Estimate is for US Citizens) | $56 |
| Residence Permit (Estimate is for US Citizens) | $200 |
| Books and Classroom Materials | $200 |
| Local Transportation | $250 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,500 |
| Total | $6,906.00 |
Out-of-Pocket Cost includes:
The above costs are estimations and represent the known out-of-pocket costs students encounter during their time abroad.
Some of these expenses will be paid for prior to going abroad, such as an airline ticket and visa costs, while some of these expenses, such as meals and local transportation, will be paid in-country as part of your daily expenses. As you plan, you will need to budget these costs and spend wisely throughout your time abroad.
Program Costs
| All Students | |
|---|---|
| Program Cost | $14,090 |
Program Cost includes:
• Tuition up to 18-credits
• Housing (standard apartment includes meal plan units equivalent to 5 continental breakfast per week)
• Pre-semester program - Cultural Introduction to Italy
• Administrative Fees
• International SOS Health Insurance
Out-of-Pocket Costs
| Airfare | $1,200 |
| Meals | $2,500 |
| Visa (Estimate is for US Citizens) | $56 |
| Residence Permit (Estimate is for US Citizens) | $200 |
| Books and Classroom Materials | $200 |
| Local Transportation | $250 |
| Personal Expenses | $2,500 |
| Total | $6,906.00 |
Out-of-Pocket Cost includes:
The above costs are estimations and represent the known out-of-pocket costs students encounter during their time abroad.
Some of these expenses will be paid for prior to going abroad, such as an airline ticket and visa costs, while some of these expenses, such as meals and local transportation, will be paid in-country as part of your daily expenses. As you plan, you will need to budget these costs and spend wisely throughout your time abroad.
Scholarships
Student Spotlights
"The theme song for my study abroad experience would be 'Dreams' by The Cranberries. While growing up, I had always hungered to leave the United States to explore the world. Study abroad made my dream come true. The song lyrics go, "Oh my life is changing everyday, in every possible way..." Florence has been a dream-like experience. The small streets are full of shops and restaurants that you could stay in for hours. Handcrafted goods fill Mercato Centrale and San Lorenzo Leather Market. Everything was so unique and beautiful. I walked on the same streets as famous historical artists and scholars. I saw beautiful pieces of art by Michelangelo and reached for the stars like Galileo. I may have left Florence, but Florence will never leave me. I truly feel grateful for the opportunity I had to study abroad in Florence, Italy. Waking up to the church bells of the Duomo and nodding off to the calming sounds of the Arno river made everything seem like a dream to me.”
"Studying abroad allowed me to grow into a person that I never dreamed I could be. The experiences I have gained from living so far out of my comfort zone have enabled me to have a new sense of confidence and independence that I had not yet deemed possible. Living abroad has also expanded my world tremendously; when I envision my future, I no longer feel confined to the small town I grew up in. However, my favorite part of studying abroad has got to be all of the relationships I was able to form with people from around the world. I have formed lifelong friendships with students who I otherwise would never have met. Most importantly, I was able to meet and learn from professors who have a completely different worldview than those from my classes at Rutgers. This has therefore expanded the opportunities I foresee for myself."