Programs : Brochure

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Locations: Florence, Italy
Program Terms: Academic Year, Fall, Spring
Homepage: Click to visit
Program Sponsor: ISI Florence - International Studies Institute

Fact Sheet:

Fact Sheet:
Click here for a definition of this term Language of Instruction:	English, Italian	Click here for a definition of this term Class Status:	2-sophomore, 3-junior, 4-senior
Housing Options:	Apartment (shared)	Click here for a definition of this term Areas of Study:	Anthropology, Archaeology, Architectural History, Architecture, Art, Art History, Arts, Business, Child Development, Classical Studies, Communication, Communications, Creative Writing, Criminology, Culinary Arts, Culture, Culture,, Design, Economics, Education, Educational Administration, Engineering, English, European Studies, Fashion, Fashion Design, Film, Film & Media Study, Fine Art, Food Communications, Gender Studies, Global Studies, History, Hospitality Management, Human Rights, Humanities, Independent Study, Interior Architecture, Interior Design, International Business, International Relations, International Studies, Italian, Italian Language & Literature, Jewish Studies, Journalism, Liberal Arts, Linguistics, Literature, Management, Marketing, Mass Communications, Media Studies, Music, Philosophy, Photography, Physics, Political Science, Politics, Psychology, Sciences, Sociology, Studio Art, Studio Arts, Theatre, Tourism, Women's Studies, Womens Studies, Writing
Program Type:	Study Abroad	Minimum GPA:	2.75
Click here for a definition of this term Program:	Direct

Program Description:

The Florentia Scholars Program

About ISI Florence

Established in 2001, ISI Florence is a study abroad program rooted in the liberal arts tradition and internationally recognized for the high caliber of its faculty and wide range of student services. ISI Florence is committed to providing students with a safe and rewarding educational experience of exceptional quality both in and out of the classroom and is supported by endless opportunities for cultural immersion and exchange. True to its extraordinary setting in the cradle of the Renaissance, ISI Florence aims to inspire students to strive for learning which will make their semester abroad a life-changing experience.

With several thousand years of civilization woven into its legendary urban texture, Florence embodies all that the Renaissance sought to bring back to life. Bordered by its famous countryside of pine- and cypress-dotted hills, lush vineyards, and olive groves, the Florence of today is an innovative European cultural center, as well as a university city. While living in Florence, students will have the opportunity to walk the same medieval streets as Dante, look upon the great works of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, and stand within the massive halls that housed Medici businesses, all built on top of Roman and Etruscan ruins. Iconic Via Tornabuoni offers insights into Florence’s thriving love of fashion in the shadow of Brunelleschi’s great dome, Santa Maria del Fiore. Surrounded by statuesque relics of the Renaissance and the push of progress, Florence offers both depth of ancient character and a melding of past, present, and future.

About the Scholars Program

The Florentia Scholars Program offers the opportunity for students to maximize their study abroad experience by encouraging them to explore, learn, and develop new skills and ideas in an international setting. The Program is defined by enriched coursework and field experiences, enhanced cultural immersion, and collaboration with other motivated students. The program includes:

Several enrichment activities and co-curricular field trips during the semester;
Housing with local Italian or Italian-speaking foreign students or homestay with an Italian family (not required but highly recommend);
An assigned Italian “buddy” from one of the local universities to assist in cultural integration (Language Scholars);
A professor at ISI Florence to meet with scholars on a weekly basis and monitor their progress as well as prepare them for Italian university oral and written exams (Language Scholars);
A Faculty Mentor who will assist scholars with research methodology, academic writing, and setting milestones for the project’s completion (Research Scholars).

Scholars will capitalize on some of the best of the features ISI Florence has to offer: one-on-one faculty mentoring, research and language acquisition opportunities, independent learning, intercultural development, and a community of professors and students who are fully engaged in the academic experience. The program is designed for highly motivated students to:

Tailor the academic curriculum to their specific needs and interests;
Enhance their language skills;
Pursue advanced topics with a faculty mentor;
Develop analytical and research skills;
Increase their ability to work independently;
Live with local families or students and broaden their intercultural development;
Advance their personal and intellectual growth, confidence, and motivation.

General Studies Florentia Scholar Curriculum

Through the General Studies Program, ISI Florence gives you the highest degree of flexibility in creating your curriculum. While completing your own research project, you will also be able to spend the semester immersing yourself in Italian culture, language, food, and Florentine life. In addition to your research, you can also take elective courses of your choice. The Program Coordinator can assist you in defining your research project, assigning a faculty mentor, and helping you choose the complementary courses that best fit your needs, so as to make the most of your study abroad experience. General Studies Research Scholars will enroll in the following courses:

FSP 499 Advanced Research Project (4 to 6 credits)
This course will allow you to engage in original research, working in close contact with an individual faculty member who will act as the Research Project Advisor, and to bring that research to fruition in the form of a final written and oral research report. In this way, you will have the opportunity to participate in formal, scholarly communication. The research undertaken may be of two types:

a completed item of individual research undertaken during the semester abroad in Florence. In this case, the research paper should be the length of a standard academic article and will usually be 8-10,000 words long, depending on the discipline. Scholars will receive ongoing mentoring during the research and writing process from their faculty mentor. The semester culminates in a peer review-style evaluation, which includes recommendations on how to prepare the paper for publication.
individual research that will be the basis for a bigger project once you return to the United States (i.e., a senior thesis). Students choosing this option must obtain approval from their home institution and submit to ISI Florence a prospectus and/or an outline of the final thesis, as well as at least one chapter of the larger project.

FSP 501 Research Writing & Methodology Workshop
Non-credit-bearing workshop with ISI Florence faculty advisor. FSP 501 is required for all students enrolled in FSP 499.

Italian Language (4-6 credits)
General Studies Program Scholars will be required to enroll in the 4-6 credit Italian language courses at the appropriate level (Beginner to Advanced) and are encouraged to take i-courses (courses with an extra component in intermediate/advanced Italian) where available.

Palazzo Vecchio

Elective Courses (3-6 credits)
One or more electives choices; i-courses recommended.

ISI Florence Scholars Cultural Activities Series
A variety of exclusive experiences with ISI Florence faculty visiting local festivals, museums, artisanal workshops, farms, etc. Activities vary by semester.

Community Engagement and Volunteering Opportunities

As part of our initiative to help students gain valuable cross-cultural experience in an international environment, we promote many opportunities for community engagement, including credit-bearing internships, volunteer work, and service-learning activities. These projects give students invaluable hands-on understanding and extraordinary out-of-classroom exposure to the culture, language, and people of Italy.

The Internship and Practicum Courses are ideal for students who would like to give back to the local community, broaden their intercultural awareness and see different social contexts from a more comparative, global standpoint.

Also, the numerous volunteering options available at ISI Florence are a rewarding way of integrating with the city and, at the same time, improving one’s Italian language skills through cultural dialogue and hands-on experience.

Student Services

The student services team at ISI Florence provides all students with a strong support system from the moment of arrival to the day of departure. Staff members are on hand to offer information and assistance so that students can make the most of their time abroad. Health and safety are of the utmost importance to us. Students are coached in personal safety, and the student services staff is available 24/7 to address illnesses, injuries, and any other needs that require special attention.

Living Accommodations

Students share apartments with other program participants. All apartments are located in the historical center of Florence and within walking distance of ISI Florence facilities. The apartments come with a fully equipped kitchen, communal living space, and wireless Internet connection.

ISI Florence Highlights

State-of-the-art centrally located facilities
Expert and dedicated international faculty and staff
Pre-departure and arrival assistance
Comprehensive orientation program
Informative student handbook and APP (For Apple & Android OS)
Fully-equipped student apartments in the historic center of Florence
Extra- and co-curricular field trips and volunteering
Practical Italian language courses and workshops
Wi-Fi access in apartments and at the Institute
Emergency hotline available 24/7

Application

All students are required to submit a completed application and submit current transcripts and meet all prerequisite requirements. Admission is selective.
Apply now to begin the application and review process and discuss the program with an admissions specialist.