Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano, Lucca, Fiesole
Some flexibility with dates is possible, please ask our staff
Grades 9-12, no language prerequisite
Art History
Studio Art
Fashion Design
Join us in Florence this summer for an adventure of a lifetime! Discover the beauty of Tuscany’s cultural capital — a city of art, history, and Renaissance treasures. Beyond the museums, enjoy lively street life, music, sunset views, relaxing beach trips with your new friends and check out the latest Italian fashion trends at local stores and outlets.
“My three teenage kids just finished a two week program in Florence with Abbey Road and it was fantastic. They took different classes – studio art, art history, Italian language, Italian cuisine, and fashion design – and all of them had wonderful experiences. The teachers were terrific, the food was delicious, and the accommodations were ideal. They made great friends and loved traveling around Italy. My only complaint is that they don’t have a separate program for the parents, so we could enjoy studying abroad, too! Highly recommend!“ – Ali Wenke, August 4 2024.
Optional Travel Extension
Rome
The first part of the Florence program includes four days of cultural discovery in Italy’s capital. You will have the opportunity to experience every aspect of this city’s incredible history and vibrant life.
Florence, the artistic, historical, and cultural capital of not only Tuscany but all Italy has welcomed us gracefully this week. Staying in apartments and learning to live on our own sure has been difficult but this beautiful city enriched and filled with peoples passions, thoughts and dreams have made it all worth it. Through our first week, we got to visit multiple churches such as the burial place for the great in Florence, the church representing the Franciscan order “Santa Croce”. It is one of the most prominent and ...
*Air conditioning units are provided by the local residence in accordance with local standards. We thank you for your understanding as our staff members will work very hard to make you as comfortable as possible during increasingly hot European summers
Our students come from all over the United States, some of them – from all over the world. The typical group size is between 20 and 40 students, there are usually more girls than boys. The students will have the option of flying on the chaperoned “designated” flight from JFK to the program site (if there is a sufficient number), or flying independently. We will meet all students at the arrival airport and take them to the program residence. We encourage our students to arrive between the hours of 12 noon and 5 pm local time.
Our students will eat authentic, balanced, quality local and international food at local cafés and restaurants. We do not do fast food, cafeteria food, or tourist traps. Our students will have a chance to sample authentic European and international cuisine, including French, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Mediterranean, Indian, Japanese, Thai, Mexican and others.
In the mornings, students will have breakfast before the morning classes. Breakfast will typically include coffee, tea, juice, eggs, pastries, fruit, sandwiches, and more. For lunch, students will typically have sandwiches, salad, pasta, tapas, sushi, pizza, burgers, seafood, meat, vegetables, or other foods. A typical dinner will usually include pasta, salad, steak, seafood, burger, chicken, sushi, ramen, vegetables, tikka masala, paella, and other delicious dishes.
We tailor the menu to our students’ preferences and give them plenty of choices. We accommodate vegetarian, vegans, kosher, and other diets.
You will live in comfortable, air-conditioned*, centrally located apartments in the historical center of Florence, a ten-minute walk from the Duomo and Piazza Santa Croce. The apartments have private bathrooms and two or three bedrooms. Each bedroom will house two or three students. Some apartments have living rooms and kitchens. The staff members will live in an apartment of their own in the same building.
*Air conditioning units are provided by the local residence in accordance with local standards. We thank you for your understanding as our staff members will work very hard to make you as comfortable as possible during increasingly hot European summers.
You will be part of our Abbey Road family, making new friends, learning to be independent and self-reliant, to share responsibilities with your peers, manage your time, and getting ready for college years!
Every student on the program chooses two classes as their academic focus in Florence: a major and an elective. Major classes meet every morning Monday to Friday, while electives meet three afternoons a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Majors: Art History, Studio Art, Fashion Design
Electives and Workshops: Italian Conversation, Photography
Important note: Curfew and Free Time
The students will have approximately 2 – 3 hours of free time per day, subject to our safety rules and guidelines. The curfew is at 10:30 – 11:00 pm, subject to change at the program director’s discretion.
Some of our students’ favorites are:
In addition to showing you all of the most celebrated and “lesser known” cultural sites in Florence, the program allows you to explore cities outside Florence and even Tuscany each week. From hiking along the cliffs on the Italian Riviera to following in the footsteps (and postures) of millions as you “lean” in front of the tower in Pisa, you and your new friends will be able to explore some of the legendary sites that make Italy one of the most visited countries in all of Europe.
When In Rome... While studying abroad in Rome, I not only experienced the super touristy spots, but I also had the opportunity to live like a local and explore the hidden gems of Rome. Here are my top five things to do in Rome (although there are a lot more!). Source: https://tinyurl.com/y7837cce Explore The Monuments A trip ...
Jumping Back Into the Real World You’ve just had the most incredible experience studying abroad with Abbey Road Programs. You’ve said your goodbyes to your new friends, host family, classmates, and teachers. You have integrated into a new culture and learned more about yourself than you might have imagined. You have dined, explored, ...
Every time I'll be studying abroad to learn a new language, or before I visit a new place, I make it a point to watch some of the popular, and not so well known, films from the country and in that particular language. When studying abroad it's helpful to immerse yourself within a different country’s arts – including music, theater, and ...
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