Florence, Italy
Florence is an exciting city in which to live and study. On an afternoon stroll through the streets of Florence, which is set amidst the golden hills of Tuscany, you can admire the architecture of Giotto and Baroque sculptures adorning the fountains of the city. You can linger in at the Uffizi Gallery with its vast collection of paintings and sculptures, and view the magnificent Santa Croce, where Galileo, Michelangelo, and Machiavelli are buried. Discuss art with Florentine painters in their studios and explore the bookshops near Via Cavour, and visit one of the most popular spots in Florence, the Ponte Vecchio, a 14th-century bridge spanning the River Arno.
Program Dates
Depart U.S.: February 1, 2025
Arrive in Florence: February 2, 2025
Mid-Semester Break: March 15-23, 2025
Depart Florence: May 2, 2025
Attend an info session to learn more about the Florence study abroad program or how to apply for scholarships to pay for study abroad.
Attend an Info SessionCan't make the info session or have more questions? Florence program faculty Evan Kaiser is offering office hours on Fridays from 11am-12pm for more questions.
Attend Office HoursApplication Process
Ready to apply? Watch this six-minute video about how to complete the application.
Here is our latest info session.
In order for SMCCCD Study Abroad to review your eligibility, you must select “Skyline College” as your home college on the application. Learn more at the NCSAC Florence website.
Application Checklist Apply NowAbout this Program
This program enables you to study abroad while making normal progress toward your degree objectives and earning fully transferable units in courses taught by community college faculty and guest lecturers. The program is offered in cooperation with the Contra Costa County, Los Rios County, San Mateo County and Santa Rosa Junior College, and with the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS), which arranges transportation, living accommodations, and a wide range of student and instructional support services.This program is part of the Northern California Study Abroad Consortium (NCSAC). Units earned in Florence will appear on your transcripts issued by the participating colleges.
Visit the NCSAC program page for a list of Frequently Asked Questions.
Courses OfferedProgram Deadlines
- Friday, September 20, 2024: Priority Application Deadline
- Friday, November 1, 2024: Application/Deposit Deadline (closing early due to capacity limits)
- Friday, December 6, 2024: Final Payment Deadline
Program Eligibility
Students need not be currently enrolled at one of the sponsoring colleges in order to participate.
Program eligibility requirements:
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.25 or higher.
- Have completed a minimum of 12 units of college level coursework.
Provisional Student Enrollment
Students who do NOT meet the application criteria (of at least 12 units and at least a 2.25 GPA) may use their current semester transcript in progress to assist with meeting the criteria, BUT MIGHT NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENROLL in the Study Abroad Program until after they receive their mid-term grades AND can demonstrate they are likely to meet the minimum qualifications.
After meeting these criteria, students may be allowed to be enrolled for the AIFS-SMCCCD Study Abroad Program under “Conditionally Accepted” status. Provisional students who finish the semester without meeting any of the minimum requirements will be dropped from the program.
Please read the Provisional Student Advisory, sign and submit it to studyabroad@smccd.edu if it applies to you.
Financial Aid
If you are receiving financial aid and would like to apply this towards the Spring 2025 Semester Abroad Program in Florence, you MUST complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA at studentaid.gov and work with the Financial Aid Office to complete all steps of the Financial Aid checklist.
Scholarships
SMCCCD Study Abroad offers a limited number of scholarships for students to study abroad. Visit our How to Pay section to learn more about applying to these opportunities.
Gilman Scholarship
Due Thursday, October 10, 2024, at 11:59pm Pacific Time
Gilman ScholarshipAIFS Scholarships
Due Friday, November 8, 2024
View SMCCCD ScholarshipsProgram Costs
The fee per person is $8,345.
The above fee excludes airfare, passport or visa fees if applicable, meals other than those listed, personal expenses, any California Community College tuition or administrative fees, textbooks, additional field trips or excursions to those listed, anything not specified.
Refund Policy
- If a student withdraws on or before Friday, November 8, 2024, they shall receive a refund of: All fees paid less a $150 processing fee.
- If a student withdraws after Friday, November 8, 2024, but on or before Friday, December 6, 2024 they shall receive a refund of all fees paid less the $450 deposit and any non-refundable deposits paid by the student or by AIFS on the student's behalf.
- If a student withdraws after Friday, December 6, 2024, there is no refund, and the total program fee is due.
- If a student withdraws once the program has begun, there is no refund.
More Information or Questions?
For additional information or questions, please contact us at studyabroad@smccd.edu.
Follow us on Instagram @smcccd_study_abroad and like us on Facebook to get regular updates, learn more about the program, and connect with other students studying abroad all across the world.
Meet Your SMCCCD Faculty Teaching Abroad in Florence:
Professor Evan Kaiser
Fifteen years ago, I took the best risk of my life. While working on my B.A. in Linguistics, I spent a year at the University of Bologna, traveling in Italy and throughout Europe when classes were out of session. The challenges and triumphs of that year developed in me a maturity, humility, perspective, and confidence that I needed to take the next steps along the career and life path that was right for me. That is why I’m so excited to return to Italy as faculty to accompany you on your own journey!
After a year of working to repay some of that travel debt (which I do not regret accruing at all), I completed an M.A. in English with certificates in teaching reading and composition. I have taught college English and ESL in the Bay Area for about 10 years.
In Florence, we’ll have the unique opportunity to read and write about Italian literature and culture, incorporating our own experiences along the way, while also meeting General Education requirements. I am offering a variety of levels and areas – a first-semester writing course, a second-semester writing course, and an elective – in an attempt to accommodate different academic trajectories. I hope you will join me on this once-in-a lifetime excursion!