Semester in Italy

  Italy

• Florence: 
Florence

Term: Fall, Spring 
Dates: Spring: February 1 - May 16; Fall: September 6 - December 19

Description: Located in the heart of Florence, literally steps from the Cathedral, the Istituto Europeo, for years has specialized in teaching Italian language, music and culture to students from all over the world. The Institute's philosophy is to make learning enjoyable; to delve into the study of the language and culture in a multi-cultural environment, which is both friendly and dynamic. Florence is home to must-see historical and artistic sites such as the Pitti Palace, the Uffizi Museum, Michelangelos famous sculpture of David, and the Ponte Vecchio Bridge, the oldest in Florence. Stroll around town, order a gelato at an Italian café, and catch a magnificent view of Florence at sunset from Michelangelos Piazza. With its central location in Italy, day train trips to Venice and Rome are a great way to spend a weekend.

Highlights:
- Study with other international students
- Courses are taught in English
- Home to the Italian Renaissance
- Earn up to 18 hours of U.S. credit
- Live in homestays or apartments
- 1 1/2 hour train ride to Rome
- Extensive student support services

Florence (pop. 461,000) is the capital of the region of Tuscany, on Italy's north-west coast. A good reference point for navigating your way around Florence is its central train station, Santa Maria Novella, although the Duomo is pretty hard to miss. The city has two airports Amerigo Vespucci is a few kilometres north-west of the city centre, and Galileo Galilei (for international flights) is about 75km (46mi) west of the city. You can walk from one end of the city centre to the other in about 30 minutes.

The cultural and historical impact of Florence is overwhelming. Close up, however, the city is one of Italy's most atmospheric and pleasant, retaining a strong resemblance to the small late-medieval centre that contributed so much to the cultural and political development of Europe. Where Rome is a historical hot-spot, Florence is like stepping back into a Fiat and Vespa-filled Renaissance: the shop-lined Ponte Vecchio, the trademark Duomo, the gemfilled Uffizi Gallery, the turreted Piazza della Signoria and the Medici Chapels. These unforgettables are all within walking distance of each other.

Florence was founded as a colony of the Etruscan city of Fiesole in about 200 BC, later becoming the Roman Florentia, a garrison town controlling the Via Flaminia. In the early 12th century the city became a free comune and by 1138 it was ruled by 12 consuls, assisted by the Council of One Hundred, a group of wealthy merchants. In 1207 the council was replaced by a foreign governer, the podestà . In the 13th century the pro-papal Guelphs and pro-imperial Ghibellines started a century-long bout of bickering, which wound up with the Guelphs forming their own government in the 1250s. By 1292 Florence had had it with the obstreperous nobles, excluding them from government. The city became increasingly democratised, eventually becoming a commercial republic controlled by the Guelph-heavy merchant class.

The great plague of 1348 cut the city's population by almost half and greatly affected the Italian people. In the latter part of the 14th century the Medicis began consolidating power, eventually becoming bankers to the papacy. Cosimo Medici - patron of artists such as Donatello, Brunelleschi, Fra Angelico and Filippo Lippi - became ruler of Florence. Perhaps the most famous Medici was Lorenzo, grandson of Cosimo, who took power in 1469. His court fostered a great flowering of art, music and poetry, and Lorenzo sponsored philosophers and artists such as Botticelli, da Vinci and Michelangelo.

In 1494 the Medicis went broke and lost their hold on power. The city fell under the control of Girolamo Savonarola, a Dominican monk who led a puritanical republic until he fell from public favour and was burned as a heretic in 1498. The Medicis returned to Florence in the 16th century, having united themselves by marriage with Emperor Charles V, and ruled for the next 200 years. In 1737 the Grand Duchy of Tuscany passed to the House of Lorraine, which was incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy in 1860.

Florence became capital of the Kingdom, and remained so until Rome took over in 1875. Florence was badly damaged during WWII by the retreating Germans, who bombed all its bridges except the Ponte Vecchio. Devastating floods ravaged the city in 1966, causing inestimable damage to its building and artworks, some of which are still being restored. The salvage operation led to the widespread use of modern restoration techniques which have saved artworks throughout the country.

"I studied abroad to experience Italian culture, in all aspects, firsthand. Florence gave me that opportunity and was an amazing city. Any chance to study abroad, especially in Italy, is well worth it!" - Matt Willette

Housing
All housing is fully furnished and students share with other international students. Students will have access to kitchen facilities and basic household necessities (sheets, cooking utensils, etc). Towels are not provided. All housing is within walking distance to the school facilities.

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: $13,950

Not Included: Airfare, textbooks, meals (apartments), visa expenses, personal expenses.

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to Italy Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups of 25-35

Application Process Involves:

• Transcript
• Written Application

International Education Programs at Jacksonville University's Mission Statement: International Education Programs (IEP) at Jacksonville University promotes global experiences by engaging students and faculty in study, internship and volunteer programs that will expose them to other countries, cultures, languages and people. International Education Programs (IEP) at Jacksonville University promotes cultural immersion through challenging study programs, relevant internship placements, and life-changing service learning opportunities in 19 different countries around the world. Our number one priority is to consistently offer the support services and resources that enable participants to immerse in the local culture, contribute to the local community, and learn more about themselves and the world through their travel experiences. IEP programs cater to individual needs based on desired length of stay, language competency, location, and academic discipline.

Year Founded: 2000