AIFS Partnership Programs: Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs

Northern California Study Abroad Consortium

Northern California Study Abroad Consortium
not your school?

Florence, Italy

Spring 2025

What is Included in the Program?

  • Orientation accommodation: all students will be housed in a central hotel for the first night where staff will be on duty to answer any questions and to help with the transition to Florence. The following day, after orientation, students will be transferred by taxi to their apartments.
  • Student housing in apartments within the historical center of Florence and a 30-minute walking radius of the AIFS Study Center in twin-bedded rooms with typically four to six students sharing a two- or three-bedroom apartment including a set amount of utilities, wireless Internet access and a change of linen. Adequate utilities will be provided up to a normal consumption for the duration of the program. Students will be expected to pay for anything above this amount directly to the Florence office before leaving the program.
  • Meals: self-catering facilities at student accommodation and a welcome reception.  Meal vouchers are available for an additional fee (see optional components).
  • An orientation program in Florence consisting of a meeting with experienced AIFS staff, covering topics such as general acclimation to Florence, safety and security issues, cultural differences, travel, money and cultural activities.
  • Local area walking tour covering housing and classroom location and local amenities.
  • A walking-tour of Florence with the services of a professional English-speaking guide.
  • Workshops with local staff about life in Florence and the differences the students will encounter.
  • Weekly program of subsidized cultural activities such as walking tours, cooking classes, wine appreciation lectures or olive oil tasting, soccer matches, day trips to Pisa and other nearby locations, concerts, and film nights.
  • Italian Life and Culture course taught by local faculty, with lectures focusing on historical, political, economic and cultural aspects of Italy and Florence, and related activities and excursions (course still subject to college tuition fees).
  • Full-day excursion to the Chianti wine region including transportation by private bus, a visit to a winery and a typical Tuscan lunch.
  • Full-day excursion to Siena and San Gimignano including round-trip transportation by private bus, the services of a professional, English-speaking guide in Siena and an AIFS representative throughout.
  • Access to the wireless-enabled AIFS Student Center and a team of experienced Student Services staff for the smooth running of the program, providing information and advice to students, organizing excursions and supervising housing, and 24-hour emergency contact service.
  • Mandatory police registration fees and local insurances.
  • Medical Insurance policy insurance policies.

Program Fees:

  • The cost of the program is $8,345 excluding tuition, which will be paid directly to your home institution. Please contact your nearest program coordinator for more information.

Optional Extras:

  • On a space-available basis, students may purchase the optional transportation package consisting of round-trip airfare (SFO–Florence–SFO) and round-trip transfers overseas between the airport and the accommodations on the specified program dates for $1269. The cost is $745 plus U.S. Government- and airline-imposed departure taxes, fees and fuel surcharges estimated at $524.
  • Optional meal plan of 30 vouchers to use in a selection of local restaurants and trattorias in Florence for a supplemental fee of $595. The vouchers can be used for breakfast, lunch or dinner at selected restaurants. They have no cash value and must be exchanged for the set menu. Dietary requirements are catered for at a limited number of restaurant options.
  • Single room supplement $1950 – Students can request a single occupancy room where available. This is offered on a first-come first-served basis and applies to the main student housing option only. Additional fees would apply if students wished to upgrade to single occupancy on overnight excursions.  Please note single occupancy rooms are not guaranteed.
  • Optional Rome Excursion $495
    Optional weekend (3-day/2-night) in Rome including round-trip transportation by train, two nights hotel accommodation in twin rooms with breakfast, entrance to the Colosseum with a guided tour, a guided tour of St Peters (not including the Vatican Museums) and the services of an AIFS staff member for the duration of the excursion.  Fee is based on a minimum of 25 student participants.
  • Optional Venice Excursion
    Optional weekend (3-day, 2-night) excursion in Venice including round-trip transportation by train, vaporetto passes for the duration of time in Venice, two nights’ accommodation in twin or triple bedded rooms in a centrally located hotel on a bed and breakfast basis, a walking tour of Venice with the services of a professional English-speaking guide, including St. Mark’s Square and the Bridge of Sighs, an optional glassblowing demonstration,  and the services of an AIFS staff member for the duration of the excursion. Fee is based on minimum 25 student participation.
  • Optional Sorrento Excursion
    Optional weekend (4-day, 3-night) excursion to Sorrento and Pompeii including round-trip transportation by train or private bus, three nights’ accommodation in multi bedded rooms in a centrally located hotel on a bed and breakfast basis, entrance to Pompeii with the services of a professional, English-speaking guide, a day excursion to Capri by high speed ferry, one day bus tickets for self-exploration of the Amalfi coast and the services of AIFS staff member for the duration of the program. Fee is based on minimum 25 student participation.
  • Optional medical insurance upgrade for $65. Optional Extra Protection Insurance Coverage, including increased medical insurance as outlined in the AIFS insurance brochure.