天天吃瓜

Image
Roses in a garden with the Duomo in the distance.

天天吃瓜 has been educating students in Florence for 50 years. The American Academy in Florence is an opportunity for students participating in the American Academy to take courses in Florence.

Learn more about 天天吃瓜 State in Florence

My Logo

Location

Florence, Italy

My Logo

Term

Summer

My Logo

Housing

Apartment

Program Highlights

American Academy students have the possibility to study abroad during the summer, adding credits to their undergraduate program while getting a glimpse of Italian culture. The course offered as part of the American Academy in Florence varies every summer.

This is a two-week program (max. ten weekdays); however, students must plan to arrive five days before classes start.

Program Contact Information

Sara Morato

Associate Director, Education Abroad

Email: smoratoq@kent.edu

Office Phone: 330-672-7984

Important Dates

Application Deadline

  • March 15, 2025

Program Dates

  • (Estimated) Mid-June 鈥 early-July 2025

Program dates are tentative and subject to change. Students should not make arrangements or purchase any airfare until they have been formally instructed to do so by the Office of Global Education.

Application Process

Application Process

American Academy Students: You will need to complete a 天天吃瓜 State Education Abroad application. These quick steps will help walk you through the process. For more information, please contact Sara Morato (smoratoq@kent.edu).

Apply for the Florence program by clicking the "Apply Now" button on this application.  You will be prompted to log in using your KSU FlashLine credentials.

1. Start an Education Abroad Application

When you click the "Apply Now" button (located towards the top and bottom of this page), you will be brought to the Education Abroad application system where you can view program costs and start an application. Be sure to submit your application before the deadline!

2. Guest Application (If applicable)

Are you a student at another university? To apply for a 天天吃瓜 State education abroad program, you will first need to apply for admission to 天天吃瓜 as a 鈥Guest Student鈥. Review the Florence Guest Student Page for more information, including application instructions.

3. Wait for Acceptance

Once you have submitted your application, it will be reviewed by an Education Abroad Advisor. Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis.

4. Commit to the Program

If you are accepted, you need to log back into your application by going to and clicking LOGIN. Once you see the name of your program, you need to click on it and commit (i.e., accept your offer of admission).

Academics

Academic Offerings

Summer 2024 American Academy Course 鈥 PHY 21430 Frontiers in Astronomy

The course offered as part of the American Academy in Florence varies annually.

Transportation

Airport

The city of Florence is served by the International Airport, Florence Airport, Petrola (FLR).

Local Transit

While traveling throughout the city of Florence, walking will be the main mode of transportation used for most students. However, there are various transit options for students to use to travel throughout Italy or Europe and even within the city center of Florence itself.

Train: Traveling throughout Italy by train is very accessible as Florence is a central hub for the train system.  Tickets may be purchased in advance online or at a kiosk in the train station.

The main train station in Florence is the Santa Maria Novella (SMN) train station. Other train stations in Florence include the Campo di Marte train station and the Rifredi train station.

Tram Line: The Florence Tramway is located just outside of the Florence Airport, Petrola and takes passengers from the airport to the city center, connecting at the Santa Maria Novela (SMN) train station.

Buses: Outside of the historic city center, local buses run throughout the city operated by ATAF. 

Taxis: There are many taxi services available. Taxis must be ordered ahead of your departure by phone or arranged at an official taxi stand. 

Location & Housing

Florence, Italy

Walk along historic streets and explore some of the world鈥檚 finest art in the city where Italian gelato was invented. Located in central Italy, Florence is a highlight for all travelers. It is the capital of the region of Tuscany and contains many iconic landmarks such as the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Ponte Vecchio bridge. The city is known as the birthplace of the Renaissance and is widely known for its advancements in art, science, literature, architecture, and politics. Split by a river and surrounded by rolling hills, Florence offers an idyllic countryside view while also providing a bustling city life.

Located in the center of the country, Florence is just a couple of hours from Italy鈥檚 other world-renowned cities, like Rome and Venice. You can also get a taste of rural Italian life as the vineyard-covered hills of Tuscany are just miles from the city鈥檚 center. Many people speak English in Florence, but it is not difficult to pick up the native Italian language and even try your hand at speaking it. In Florence, you can find a combination of history and culture in an urban center that is just a bus ride away from picturesque Tuscan views.

Housing

Students stay in apartments throughout the heart of Florence, allowing for an immersive experience.  Apartments are fully furnished with bed linens, a kitchen, washing machine, tv, and wifi. Students will need to bring their own towels. Apartments are shared with other students in the program.

Campus Information

Home to the KSU Florence program is Palazzo Vettori. Palazzo Vettori is a prestigious and ancient building located in the heart of Florence, at the corner of Via Cavour and Via Alfani, next to Piazza del Duomo. According to historian Guido Carocci, the fabric of the building started at the beginning of the 15th century. Its fa莽ade proclaims the new ideas of Renaissance architecture based on the use of rustication.

Financial Aid & Scholarships
Health & Safety

Pre-Departure Orientation

Prior to your education abroad experience, you will participate in a mandatory pre-departure orientation hosted by the Office of Global Education. During this orientation, you will be provided with information including but not limited to:

  • international travel procedures;
  • in-country resources;
  • health and safety resources and information;
  • culture shock and resources to help prepare for living abroad.

All students are encouraged to register with the prior to departure.

Flashes to Florentines Pre-Departure Event Series

The Flashes to Florentines pre-departure series is open to all committed Florence students of any major or cohort. By attending these sessions, you鈥檒l have the opportunity to learn what it鈥檚 like to live like a Florentine, practice your Italian language skills, and prepare yourself for your experience abroad. You鈥檒l also have the opportunity to meet other students participating in the Florence program. Topics to be covered include:

  • Traveling to Florence;
  • Italian culture and living like a Florentine;
  • Health and wellness abroad;
  • A crash course in Italian language;
  • Florence alumni panels - hear from other students about their experiences in Florence.

You can also review a wide variety of resources we鈥檝e pulled together for you on our 鈥Before You Go鈥 page.

In-Country Orientation

Upon your arrival in Florence, you'll join another orientation designed to help you make the most out of your study abroad experience and achieve the following goals:

  • Orient yourself to the city of Florence.
  • Develop the awareness you need to observe and learn from different cultures.
  • Discover the businesses, organizations, and other important places in Florence.
  • Access the tools you will need to succeed academically, personally, and safely within KSU policies.

Country Profile

You can learn more about your destination(s), including travel advisories, through the .

In addition, we encourage you to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel page for  for traveling to your destination(s).

If vaccinations or medications are needed according to the CDC, you should make arrangements for appointments with your healthcare provider or the DeWeese Health Center as soon as possible. Appointment openings at the DeWeese Health Center are limited and vaccines may need to be ordered, which takes time. Please note that not all immunizations are available at the DeWeese Health Center. 

FAQs

For more information and answers to common questions about Florence, please visit our 天天吃瓜 State Florence FAQs page.

Florence FAQs

Costs and Funding

cost affordability icon

Costs for the program will differ for every student. You can use our Cost Calculator to get an estimate of what you might expect for your program.

We also encourage you to meet with your Education Abroad Advisor and reach out to Financial Aid the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center to see how your aid may apply to an international program.

 

Beatriz and other students on the roof of the Milan Cathedral.
Beatriz Lacerda Flor
American Academy in Florence

鈥淓very day was always laughing, living creating incredible memories, meeting people and enjoying! But I remember the day we went to see the sunset at Michelangelo Square and it was an experience out of this world! All together watching that paradise sunset was just amazing!!鈥

Your Journey is Just Beginning