Why CET Florence?
CET Florence students are motivated learners looking for a study abroad experience with challenging academic content and enriching extra-curricular activities. You take one Italian language course and after that, it’s up to you—check required classes off your list or try something new and uniquely Italian.
Academics
Semester
Snapshot
- Recommended Credits: 12-15
- Wide variety of English-taught elective options
- Italian language classes for all levels
- Engaging classes with excellent professors
- Out-of-class learning and assignments
Curriculum & Syllabi
You take 3 credits of Italian language and three or four electives to meet a total of 12 to 15 recommended credits.
You are placed into one of these 3-credit courses, according to a placement test or previous coursework you have completed.
Choose three or four 3-credit electives to meet the total of 12 to 15 recommended credits (including your language component).
- FL/ARTH 250 Passion, Power and Pestilence: Art in Italy 1500-1650
- FL/ARTH 258 Renaissance Art and Architecture
- FL/ARTH 262 Medieval Art and Architecture
- FL/ARTS 266 Florence Sketchbook
- FL/BUSN 387 Leadership Development
- FL/ECON 323 The European Banking System
- FL/ECON 324 The European Political Economy
- FL/FINA 320 Corporate Finance
- FL/GLBS 280 Intercultural Communication: Cross-Cultural Encounters in Florence, Italy, and Beyond
- FL/HIST 372 Money & Banking: A Historical Perspective
- FL/ITLS 245 Food and Culture in Italy
- FL/ITLS 273 History of Modern Italy
- FL/ITLS 274 The Medici: History and Legend of an Italian Dynasty
- FL/ITLS 330 Italian Cinema
- FL/ITLS 346 Introduction to Italian Cuisine, Art, and Practice
- FL/ITLS 347 Wine Studies: History and Culture of Italian Wine
- FL/MKTG 325 International Marketing
- FL/MGMT 321 International Management
- FL/POLI 375 Italian and European Politics
- FL/POLI 377 International Energy Policy: Oil, Gas, & Green Technologies
- FL/PSYC 385 Cross-Cultural Psychology: Intercultural Frameworks for Developing Global Citizenship
Electives for Everyone
Work That's Rewarding
"Florence has been more amazing that I could have ever imagined. Being in a city filled with such a rich culture has enabled me to grow in many ways, and CET has definitely been a major factor in this experience."
Vanderbilt University | Spring 2018
Housing & Meals
COVID Modifications
Because of precautions CET is taking related to COVID-19, your housing experience will look different from standard programming. Please see the COVID playbook page for more information.
- Apartment or homestay
- Off-campus housing
- Live with CET peers or a local family
- 2-8 people/apartment; 1-2 students/homestay
- 1-2 people/apartment room; 1-2/homestay room
- Kitchen, common room, shared bathroom per 2-4 students, in-unit washer
- Wifi access, linens, basic furnishing, kitchenware, regular cleaning service for common areas
Living in the historical city center, apartments might be different from what you’re used to in the US—buildings are simple, older, and vary in shape and layout. But the location can’t be beat… everything you need is within walking distance and your commute to class is beautiful. You can also opt to live in a homestay and live like a true Florentine. You’ll be in the downtown area, but away from the tourist-heavy centro storico. You’ll have round-the-clock immersion as you share meals and common spaces with your Italian host family for the semester.
Connect Locally
Eating in Florence
Have your fill of some of the most famous cuisine in the world. You’ll love the pastas, the sauces, the hors-d’oeuvres. On a budget? Try ribollita soup, made with bread, kale, cannellini beans, and vegetables. Feeling adventurous? Grab a tripe sandwich topped with salsa verde from a street vendor…a Florentine classic. And don’t forget the gelato after dinner.
Life in Florence
- Known locally as: Firenze
- Population: 382,258
- Local Currency: Euro
- Famous for: Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, world-class art museums, birthplace of the Renaissance, international city
There’s so much to see and do in Florence, from climbing the Duomo to chatting with locals over a cappuccino. But the rest of Italy and all of Europe are at your doorstep, too. Each Friday morning, head to a new destination—check out the art scene in Berlin, find the best baguette in Paris, explore the Italian coast, from Cinque Terre to Amalfi. The Italian train system couldn’t be easier, and the airport is just 30 minutes away. Buon viaggio!
Activities & Excursions
Around Town
A Weekend in Rome
Let us check must-see Rome off of your travel checklist! You’ll take a three-day trip with us to Rome. Tour the Vatican, explore the Roman Forum, make a wish in the Trevi fountain. We handle the logistics, and we make sure there’s plenty of free time built in…for exploring, tasting, or simply finding a quiet corner to sit and enjoy the beauty.
Volunteering in Florence
"My semester in Florence was incredible! CET staff were very helpful and engaging, and the activities were a great way to engage with Italian culture and with Italian locals. I loved living in a city with such beautiful culture, buildings, and landscapes for a few months."
Vanderbilt University | Spring 2019
On-site Staff
Emiliana Caldarelli
Director of Italy Programs
Shauna Kavanagh
Program Coordinator
Program Fees
Spring 2022
$21,990
Fall 2021: $21,990 $21,170
Spring 2022: $21,990
Of the total program fee, $17,890 goes to tuition and fees, and $4,100 goes to housing and other student life fees.
All of your classes and program-related learning are included with your tuition.
We’ll take you on a three-day excursion to Rome. We take care of the transportation, hotel, entrance fees to must-see sites, and some meals.
We arrange for you to live in an apartment, right in the historic city center. Your program fees go toward rent, furnishing, and other management costs.
If you opt for a homestay, there is an additional fee to help cover the costs of an extra member in the household. This fee includes daily breakfasts and dinners at your home.
From pre-departure to orientation, from on site to re-entry, CET provides you with the support you need every step of the way.
You’re provided with a comprehensive insurance plan through GeoBlue that includes medical evacuation coverage.
The activities and excursions that we arrange are included in your program fee. All you need to do is remember to bring your camera!
Your textbooks and course supplies are covered and waiting for you on site.
Estimated
Out-of-Pocket
Costs
- Homestay fee: $2,900
- Round-trip Airfare: $1,100 - $1,600
- Meals (apartment): $2,400 - $2,800
- Meals (homestay): $1,200 - $1,400
- Personal Expenses: $2,000 - $3,000
- Must be 18 or older at the time of program participation.
- Open to students from any US college or university
- GPA: 3.0 or higher preferred, but admissions decisions are made on a case-by-case basis; lower GPAs still encouraged to apply
- Open to all levels of Italian language speakers
Complete the application through your online CET account. This is a brief form that asks for basic information and has a few short answer questions about why you want to study abroad.
Use the link in your online account to send a recommendation request to one of your previous instructors.
This is an online form that your study abroad office completes to let us know you meet the requirements to study abroad. To send the electronic form request, simply enter the name and email address of your study abroad advisor in the designated fields of your online account.
Your online CET account has specific instructions for submitting an official transcript.
Fall deadline:
May 1
Spring deadline:
October 1st
Price Subject to Change:
CET reserves the right to increase quoted charges at any time without prior notification, based on increased instruction costs, exchange rate fluctuation or other cost increases beyond CET’s control.
