AIFS Partnership Programs: Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs

What is Included in the Program?

• Transportation Package consisting of round-trip airfare (Los Angeles – Florence – Los Angeles) and round-trip transfers overseas between the airport and accommodations on the standard program date. Mandatory additional U.S. government and airline-imposed departure taxes, fees and fuel surcharges of $645 will be billed separately.
• Housing in shared twin rooms in self-catering apartments within 30-minutes commute by public transport of the Study Center and housing 4 to 6 students
• For a supplemental fee, students may choose the home-stay option (see below)
• An Orientation program in Florence including meetings with AIFS staff, welcome reception where homestay families are invited, workshops on cultural differences, safety/security and travel, and a half-day walking tour of Florence to see the sites.
• An AIFS Student Services Office located within the AIFS Study Center facilities. An experienced AIFS Program Co-ordinator will ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the program, providing information and advice to Consortium faculty and students. A 24-hour emergency phone service will also be provided
• A subsidized weekly program of cultural events in Florence such as ballet tickets, walking tours, cooking classes, soccer matches, concerts, and day trips
• An Italian Conversation course taught by local instructors – not for credit

• Entrances with reservations as needed to the Uffizi Gallery, San Marco, the Duomo Complex, Accademia Gallery and Pitti Palace, including the services of professional English-speaking guides.
• A day excursion to Siena and San Gimignano including round-trip transportation and the services of a professional English-speaking guide in Siena.
• A day excursion to Pisa and Lucca including round-trip transportation and the services of a professional English-speaking guide in Pisa.

• Three-day/Two-night Excursion to Rome
  This excursion will include the following:
• Round trip transportation
• Two-nights’ accommodation in twin rooms in a centrally-located hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis
• Half-day walking tour of Rome with the services of a professional English-speaking guide
• Reserved entrances to the Colosseum and Roman Forum, Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel with the services of a professional English-speaking guide
• One group dinner
• Metro tickets as needed
• The services of an AIFS Staff member to accompany the group excursion.

Optional Components:

• For a supplemental fee of $475 students can purchase a meal plan consisting of 30 vouchers for either lunch or dinner in local trattoria in Florence based on our existing successful meal options.

• Accommodation in a shared twin room in a home stay with a local family living within a 30 minute radius by public transport of the Study Center. Daily breakfast is included as well as 5 dinners a week. There is a supplemental fee of $795 for the home-stay option.
• Optional three day/three night Excursion to Sorrento and Pompeii
  This optional excursion will include the following:
• Three nights’ accommodation in a centrally-located hotel in twin rooms on a bed and breakfast basis
• Round trip transportation by train or private bus
• Entrance to the archaeological site at Pompeii and Herculaneum with the services of a professional English-speaking guide
• Day trip to the island of Capri including island bus day pass
• One group dinner
• The services of an AIFS Staff member to accompany the group excursion.

This excursion is available for a supplemental fee of $495 based on a minimum of 20 paying participants.

• Optional three day/two night Excursion to Venice
  This optional excursion will include the following:
• Two nights’ accommodation in a centrally-located hotel in twin rooms on a bed and breakfast basis
• Round trip transportation by train and Vaparetto pass whilst in Venice
• Walking tour of Venice with the services of a professional English-speaking guide, including St. Mark’s Square and the Bridge of Sighs
• Entrance to the Doge’s Palace, Correr Museum, Venice National Archaeological Museum and the Monumental Rooms of the Marciana National Library
• Group meal
• The services of an AIFS Staff member to accompany the group excursion.

This excursion is available for a supplemental fee of $575 based on a minimum of 20 paying participants.