Athena Study Abroad in Florence, Italy

  Italy

• Florence: 
Florence

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer 
Dates: Fall: Late Aug/Early Sep - Mid Dec; Spring: Late Jan-Mid May; Summer: June, July, August

Description: Athena Study Abroad was designed to meet the needs of any student who wishes to attend a small university overseas, in order to gain the most culturally rich and authentic immersion possible. These programs are especially attractive to small-school students, because the search for these students to find study abroad programs which cater to their unique wants and needs is often difficult.

Athena programs are different in that students are enrolled at small schools overseas in an effort to maintain the personalized service throughout the semester that Athena prides itself on providing. Unlike many other study abroad programs, Athena offers its students programs that are focused on intense, cultural immersion which puts them in touch with the locals of their host country, elements of the host culture, and other international students from around the world to ensure a well-rounded, diverse experience.

Athena's partner school in Italy, Lorenzo de' Medici (LDM) is a private institution located among several buildings in the center of this charming Renaissance city. The campus' main building dates back to the 13th century and, before being renovated, was originally a convent and church. Medieval frescos and sculptures still adorn the walls and ceilings of the classrooms, ensuring a beautiful and historical holistic experience for students - both in and out of the classroom.

LDM is equipped with modern computer and language labs, comfortable classrooms, knowledgeable faculty, diverse course offerings (from language or theater, to archaeology or history). One of the primary missions of the Lorenzo de' Medici School, which has been operating its main campus in Florence for more than 30 years, is to promote global education through authentic cultural immersion programs and a diverse international student population.

* Housing
Housing is in conveniently located apartments, complete with living area, 2 to 3 bedrooms, bathroom and fully-equipped kitchens, where students can prepare their meals.

Most of the bedrooms are double-occupancy rooms, a few are single-occupancy rooms. Kitchen and bathroom are usually to be shared with other students.

Apartments are located in close proximity to the school and the city center. A 10 to 15 minute bus ride is sometimes needed.

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Cafeteria/Meal Cards
LdM has a cafeteria/bar that offers students pasta at lunchtime, pastries and espresso/cappuccino, salads and sandwiches, snacks, fruit, candy and drinks.

LdM Meal Card:
10-meal card costs 45 euro (4,50 euro each meal)
30-meal card costs 120 euro (4 euro each meal)

Each meal includes:

    * a large portion of the "dish of the day" (i.e pasta or vegetables or salad, etc..)
    * 1 soft drink (Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Fruit juice, etc..)
    * 1 cappuccino OR espresso

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Field Trips (Semester Only)
Two trips are included (destinations vary by semester). Possible locations include:

    * Venice
    * The Alps, Verona and the Garda Lake
    * Nice, Monte Carlo and the French Riviera: Cannes, St. Paul de Vence
    * Food, Wines, and Art of the Renaissance: Assisi, Orvieto, San Gimignano, Montalcino
    * Venice and the Courts of the Renaissance: Mantua and Ferrara
    * Romce
    * Portofino and Cinque Terre
    * Capri, Sorrento and Pompeii
    * Arezzo, Cortona, Montepulciano, and Pienza

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*Summer Options*

* Super-Intensive Italian (June, July, August)
6 credits of intensive Italian language

* Electives: 3 or 6 credits (June, July)
Select 1 or 2 elective courses from a wide variety of course offerings

* Studio Art Workshop (June, July)
6 credits
June Sessions
a) Florence and Southern Italy Restoration Workshop
2 weeks in Florence, 2 field weeks

b) Florence and Carrara Marble Sculpture Workshop
3 weeks in Florence plus 1 field week

July Sessions
a) Florence and Southern Italy Watercolor Workshop: Color and Light
3 weeks in Florence plus 1 field week

b) Florence and Southern Italy Restoration Workshop
2 weeks in Florence, 2 field weeks

Highlights: Athena developed its Students Offering Support (S.O.S.) Program to provide study abroad students with a way to show their appreciation to their host culture by way of a monetary donation. While we at Athena know how great it feels to give back to our students through discounts and promotions, we have designed the S.O.S. program in an effort to assist our students in passing on this goodwill to the world.

Athena donates a percentage of our proceeds each year to a featured charity (which changes annually). This year, we have chosen Ashoka as the S.O.S. international charity recipient of the year.

Studying abroad in Florence, Italy, means living in a city that boasts a reputation of being one of the most artistically and culturally beautiful cities in the world. From the regal Renaissance and Medieval architecture of the buildings that line the city streets, to the priceless works of art that line the walls of the Uffizi gallery, beauty and culture surround you at every turn in this richly diverse city. With one of the largest international study abroad student populations in the country, Florence is a perfect blend of old-city tradition with modern-day energy.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: USD 13,495 (Spring & Fall), Summer starting at USD 4,500

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American Participants.

Participants Travel to Italy Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Scholarships are Available.  * Marie McKay Global Citizen Scholarship Award: USD 1,000 The McKay Global Citizen Scholarship is designed for the Athena student who can best demonstrate an interest in and intention to promote the concept of social justice at a city, state, national, and/or global level. * Vincent I. Benander Learning Scholarship Award: USD 1,000 The Benander Academic Scholarship is designed for the Athena student who can best demonstrate a true "love of learning" in his/her major area of study, and superior academic abilities. * Athena Penny Scholarship Award: USD 250 The Penny Scholarships are available to students studying abroad at specific Athena campuses overseas. For the 2007-2008 academic year, students studying at the Tuscania, Italy and/or the London, England campuses are eligible to apply for the Penny Scholarships.

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Other
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Athena Study Abroad's Mission Statement: ASA was developed in an effort to bring study abroad back to what it was intended to be - true, cultural immersion programs designed by knowledgeable, caring professionals. Athena programs are different in that students are enrolled at small schools overseas in an effort to maintain the personalized service throughout the semester that Athena prides itself on providing. Unlike many other study abroad programs, Athena offers its students programs that are focused on intense, cultural immersion which puts them in touch with the locals of their host country, elements of the host culture, and other international students from around the world to ensure a well-rounded, diverse experience. In addition, a percentage of Athena's proceeds are donated to a chosen world charity through our S.O.S. Program (Students Offering Support), which allows students to give back to the world that welcomed them during their semester abroad.