Florence Semester Program
About the program
Students live in furnished apartments or dormitory style buildings in and around the historic city center. Apartments are shared between 3 and 6 students. Rooms can be single, double, or triple.
Field trips are organized by faculty to destinations throughout Italy, including to Venice for the Venice Biennale. Approximately 3 group field trips will take place during the semester abroad.
Students attend a preparation seminar before going abroad. To kick off the semester, we begin with tours, activities, and workshops orient students to the city. Local staff and faculty ensure students have the support they need throughout the program. Current students, learn more here.
Students obtain their own passports and the school helps with the visa application.
Architecture
Architecture students study abroad during fall semester of senior year. Students apply in the spring of sophomore year at sa.wustl.edu. WashU faculty join students in Florence to teach the architecture studio and seminar. Local faculty join for critiques.
Current Sophomores will apply beginning in January 2024
Architecture students take the following classes:
- Architecture Studio | 6 credits
- Architecture Seminar (300 level) | 3 credits
- Italian Language | 3 credits
- Art & Architecture History | 3 credits
Communication Design
Communication Design students go abroad in spring of junior year. They apply in spring of sophomore year. Local Florentine faculty who are experts in their field teach the classes. Students choose 3 courses from a pool of 5 illustration and graphic design courses. Past course offerings have included Branding & Identity, Experimental Typography, Methods: Verbal to Visual, Strategies on Site: Sketchbook, and Making Meaning.
For BA students, the 3 credits in Art & Architecture History can count as Art History & Visual Culture credit.
Current Sophomores will apply beginning in January 2024.
Communication Design students take:
- Com Des Major Elective (300 level) | 9 credits
- Italian Language | 3 credits
- Art & Architecture History | 3 credits
Studio Art & Fashion Design
Studio Art and Fashion Design students go abroad in fall of junior year. They apply in fall of sophomore year. Local Florentine faculty teach courses on the campus in the historic city center. For BA students, the 3 credits in Art & Architecture History can count as Art History & Visual Culture credit.
Current Sophomores will apply beginning in September 2023.
Fashion Design students take:
- Patternmaking | 3 credits
- Fashion Major Elective | 3 credits
- Sam Fox School Elective | 3 credits
- Italian Language | 3 credits
- Art & Architecture History | 3 credits
Studio Art students take:
- Art Practice | 3 credits
- Methods and Contexts| 3 credits
- Sam Fox School Elective | 3 credits
- Italian Language | 3 credits
- Art & Architecture History | 3 credits