Italy: Florence Semester

Lorenzo de'Medici – The Italian International Institute in Florence

• Lorenzo de’ Medici is a private educational institution located in fifteen campus buildings in the historic city center, right next to the thriving San Lorenzo market and church and close to transport facilities. Together the LdM buildings contain a full range of facilities including numerous classrooms and large, specialized art studios, a cafeteria, a courtyard garden, a library, the student point and the computer center. ALL LDM FLORENCE CAMPUS PREMISES ARE EQUIPPED FOR WIRELESS CONNECTION.
  For over 20 years, students from all around the U.S. and the rest of the world have enrolled at Lorenzo de' Medici. Faculty in all fields of study are highly experienced and speak English and ALL COURSES ARE TAUGHT IN ENGLISH WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITALIAN LANGUAGE COURSES.

Highlights of LdM Florence:

• Oldest LdM site (since 1973)
• Comprehensive programming
• 15 buildings, centrally located in San Lorenzo area
• Strong connections to the community; many opportunities for community projects
• Partnership with the University of Florence (Italian language conversation exchange, joint archaeology projects) and local businesses, government, and festivals.
• Popular student clubs

Course Offerings

The largest of the sites, the Florence Campus currently offers the most comprehensive programming. Students can study abroad for a year, a semester, or short-term programs in the summer.

Students that enroll at LdM come from all around the United States and the rest of the world to study Italian language, studio art, art history, Italian culture, and various other fields of study. The courses offered cover many different disciplines to meet varied student needs. No previous knowledge of Italian is required. The language of instruction is English, with the exception of the language classes and one or two courses designated, "in Italian." Classes are small, with strong emphasis placed on student-faculty interaction.

Students elect one of the following three programs for the Fall/Spring semesters:

• Program I: Super-Intensive Italian Language (12-16 credits)
  Students may register for a total of 12-16 credits of Italian language in this program. Each CCIS member school decides on the amount of credits awarded. Students will complete Italian language starting from either Elementary 1 through Intermediate 2 or Elementary 2 through Advanced 1 over the course of a semester. 
• Program II: Liberal Arts/Studio Art Program (12-15 credits)
  A 3-credit Italian language course is required, which is offered at all levels from beginning through advanced. Beyond the compulsory Italian course, students are free to choose any of the courses they want. All courses are 3 credits each. If students wish to take more credits in Italian language, they may also register for a 9-credit Intensive Italian language course plus one or two additional courses or a 6-credit Intensive Italian language course plus two or three additional courses. There are 3-credit internship courses available in art history/museum studies, business, marketing, communications, fashion design, fashion marketing, graphic design, Italian language/service learning.
• PROGRAM III: LdM-NCRC International Conflict Transformation Certificate
  Preventing, Managing and Resolving Conflict: From the Interpersonal to the International (15 credits)
  This semester-long certificate provides students the opportunity to learn practical methods and applications through study of theoretical models and modern international political and social contexts. Courses are held at the LdM Florence campus. The course sequence features four mandatory 3-credit courses: Intercultural Communication, International Conflict Resolution, Conflict Resolution and Mediation Skills, and Italian Language and one 3-credit elective. Upon successful completion, students are granted the LdM-NCRC International Conflict Transformation Certificate. The ICTC courses are offered in collaboration with the University of Florence. The National Conflict Resolution Center has become a national and international voice in conflict resolution after having successfully resolved conflicts for more than 25 years through mediation and negotiation. NCRC has facilitated the resolution of conflicts in businesses, non-profits, government bodies, communities, and families. This practical experience has enabled NCRC to develop courses that go beyond conflict theory into the practical skills needed to manage a wide range of conflicts in the real world. Most certificate class sessions are hands-on, case-based, and provide many interactive exercises and opportunities for participation.

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF SCHEDULED COURSES, PLEASE CONSULT THE FOLLOWING LINK: 

http://www.lorenzodemedici.org/florence/

Subject areas are listed below:
 
SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

The School of Arts and Sciences includes the following subject areas: Anthropology, Archaeology and Classical Studies, Art History, Communications, Cultural Studies, Gender Studies, Geography and Environmental Studies, History, History of Architecture, International Business, Literature, Mathematics, Music, Cinema and Theatre Studies, Peace Studies, Philosophy and Religious Studies, Political Science and International Studies, Psychology, Sociology,Writing.

SCHOOL OF CREATIVE ARTS

The School of Creative Arts includes the following subject areas: Culinary and Nutritional Arts, Dance, Music and Theatre Performance, Film, Video and Multimedia Production, Painting, Drawing and Mixed Media, Photography, Printmaking, Restoration, Sculpture and Ceramics.

SCHOOL OF DESIGN

The School of Design includes the following subject areas: Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Jewelry Design.

SCHOOL OF ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

The School of Italian Language and Culture includes the following subject areas: Italian Language, Italian Language and Culture.

Lorenzo de’ Medici is committed to helping students realize their potential, providing high quality education that will enable students to interact successfully with the community worldwide. - LdM Mission

 

Student Life

HOUSING

*Housing is not included in the Program cost. 

*Costs listed below are from Spring 2013 and are subject to change.

Single or Double Bedroom in a Student Apartment
LdM is pleased to facilitate students in making their housing arrangements for a spot in a student apartment. Most apartments have two or three bedrooms. A very limited number have only one bedroom, and some may have more than three bedrooms. Highspeed internet is available in the apartments.  

• 4 to 6 (or more) students generally share an apartment.
• In a double bedroom two students share the bedroom.
• In a single bedroom, the student has his/her own bedroom.
• In all cases students share the apartment with several other students.

Apartment Description:

• Apartments are furnished and equipped with: bed linens, basic pots and pans, kitchen utensils, washing machine and TV. 
• Highspeed internet is available in the apartments.
• Towels are generally not-included in the apartment and we recommend students to bring their own set of towels to Italy with them. Students can bring a few towels (not many) and buy them in Italy.
• The student shared apartments are usually suitable for minimum of 2 to a maximum of 8 persons.
• They are not all located in the same building, but within walking distance from the school facilities.
• Although apartments are of the same standard and have similar facilities, no two apartments are alike.

*For housing arranged by LdM, the housing coordinator in Florence assigns roommates based on the completed housing profile.  Students can request to room with a student they already know as long as both students make that request.

The cost per person is:

• Double bedroom: U.S. $ 3,300 (approx)
• Single bedroom: U.S. $ 4,000 (approx)

HOUSING OPTIONS NOT OFFERED THROUGH LDM
If you choose not to use the LdM housing option, you are free to arrange your own housing. Following are some other accommodation options:

Residence La Contessina
Via Faenza, 71
50123 - Firenze - ITALIA
Tel: +39 055 26 702 75-6-7
Fax: +39 055 26 70 333
Web site: www.lacontessina.it
e-mail: info@lacontessina.it

*IF YOU CHOOSE THIS OPTION, PLEASE INFORM LA CONTESSINA THAT YOU ARE AN LDM STUDENT.

The cost per person is:

Furnished Apartment for 2 people: Euro 4,644
Furnished Apartment for for 3 people: Euro 3,564

Plus Florence Hostel
Via Santa Caterina D'Alessandria, 15
Florence, FI, 50129 - Italy
www.plusflorence.com/
reservations@plusstudents.com
Photos of the facility: http://picasaweb.google.com/Plusstudents/PlusPhoto

*IF YOU CHOOSE THIS OPTION, PLEASE INFORM PLUS FLORENCE HOSTEL THAT YOU ARE AN LDM STUDENT.

Furnished dorm-style apartment or room - cost per person is:

Apartment for 2 people: Euro 2,468
Apartment for for 3 people: Euro 2,3168

Room for 2 people: Euro 2,252
Room for 3 people: Euro 1,952

Students who choose to arrange their own housing and who choose to look for their own apartment may want to contact the following English speaking real estate agencies:

Independent Housing through local real estate agencies - cost: $2,800 and above (approx.)

MILLIGAN & MILLIGAN
Rentals and Sales in Italy
Via degli Alfani 60
50121 Firenze
tel + fax +39 055 2741600
rentals@milligansales.com
info@milligansales.com
www.italy-rentals.com
www.milligansales.com

Housing in Florence.Com
Firenze Immobiliare L.Iandelli
Tax N. 03994390486
Ag. Ruolo 1921
Piazza Salvemini, 7
50122 Florence ( Italy )
Tel. +(39) 349 64 066 85
Tel. +(39) 055 24 0612
http://www.housinginflorence.com

Firenzelodging.it
Part of Lodging & Estates
Via della Fonderia 14
50142 Firenze
Tel. + 39 055 4630638
Fax. + 39 055 4634609
http://www.firenzelodging.it/

FIELD TRIPS AND ACTIVITIES:

As a complement to the academic program, students can participate in activities that are organized by their Student Advisor within the city of Florence and take day trips to nearby towns (many of the activities are free of cost). Students may also participate in optional field trips to places such as Rome & the Vatican, Urbino, Venice, Cinque Terre, Mantua, Ferrara, Nice & Montecarlo, Arezzo & Cortona & Montepulciano, Pienza, and Sorrento & Capri. These field trips are led by faculty from the school. Field trips are not included in the program cost.

STUDENT CLUBS:
According to the philosophy of the school, Lorenzo de Medici's main focus is the student's personal growth, which can be strongly affected and improved by a cultural experience abroad. For this reason, LdM created and supports the student clubs, where people with the same interests can develop and increase their skills, flair, and background together in a completely different social environment. This full immersion in Italian life, society, and culture is explored through various forms and aspects in order to include as diverse a range of people as possible.

The clubs help in obtaining a good balance between the students' mutual interaction and socialization and their introduction, adjustment to, and participation with the host community. For this reason, LdM will coordinate with the most important and representative local institutions and associations in the different mentioned fields.

Student Clubs include:

• Writing Club 

This club will provide students with the opportunity to publish their written works on a school blog as well as in a local publication (in English). The club will also provide information about publishing opportunities in the U.S. Since some of these magazines are also interested in pictures, feel free to join the club even if you're not a writer!

• Dance Club

This club will accompany students to discover and revitalize some historical and famous dances, such as the Tango and Latin American dances. The main goal of the club is to provide students with a basic knowledge of the subject, through dance lessons held by local teachers.

• Cinema Club 

The aim of this club is to introduce students to the current and historical Italian and European movie scene and its analogies and diversities with the American and International ones. The program will include film selections, in co-operation with some of the most important Cinema Associations in Florence, and information about upcoming events, festivals and reviews related to the subject.

• Music Club

The main goal of the LdM Sound Club is to provide students with a taste of the Italian and European musical scene and its analogies and diversities with the American one. This sound experience will include several different aspects: free concerts selected from the best musical events in town, the opportunity to sing in choirs, the opportunity to play live music at venues in Florence and updated information about ongoing concerts and music festivals.

• Volunteer Club

Scuola Lorenzo de' Medici has always been in the forefront in the campaign against racism, discrimination and intolerance. For this reason, the club's main goal will be to allow LdM students to join the Italian volunteer community and connect them with the Italian social life.

• Photography Club

This club will try to help students experience and observe Italian everyday life and culture through the camera lens. Students' previous background and knowledge of the subject will be stimulated by researching, creating and developing a photography project related to the main thematic areas. These will be shown, after a preliminary selection, in the LDM Photography Exhibit.

• Athlete’s Club

This club will provide students with an idea of the role of sports in contemporary Italian society. The goal of this club is to introduce our students to the local sporting environment and culture with information about upcoming events and competitions regarding the most important disciplines and the most representative sporting clubs in town, and through sporting events for students arranged by LdM.

• Slow Drink Club

This club will try to help students to discover, understand and experience an important and sometimes misunderstood aspect of the Italian everyday life and culture: the art of drinking. This "art" will be shown from a critical and responsible prospective, through an historical and technical explanation about the meaning of wine in Mediterranean culture, and through tasting experience.

Note: If you are interested in summer study abroad in Florence, see the list of summer program options.

Alumni Feedback

“I gained a greater perspective of how people in other countries live.  I was exposed to so much culture and completely immersed in Italian life.  I would highly recommend this program to other students.  Florence is a great city with great people, you get the city feeling but it is still small enough to walk everywhere.”
- Alyssa Nocerino

“Study Abroad is an amazing experience. I think every college student should take part in a program.  It is truly a pivotal moment in my life.  This experience gave me the strength to battle my insecurities about traveling abroad.  I met some wonderful people and made several friends while abroad.  This experience helped me grow spiritually and intellectually.  My advice to future students would be to enter the program with an open mind and have no limitations.  Let the program influences your experience and explore as much as possible.”
- Kevin Calisto

 

Duration

Spring 13: January 30 - May 18, 2013
Fall 13: August 28 - December 14, 2013
Spring 14: January 29 - May 17, 2014

Application Deadline(s)

Fall: April 15
Spring: October 15

Financial Aid

Please check out the following websites for scholarship opportunities:

• www.niaf.org/scholarships/index.asp
• www.niaf.org
• www.osia.org/public/scholarships/grants.asp
• www.osia.org
• www.columbuscitizensfd.org/scollege.shtml
• www.columbuscitizensfd.org

Eligibility Requirements

• 2.75 GPA or higher
• Official transcripts
• 2 letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose
• Students must be at least 18 years of age
• Minimum class standing - students must have completed at least one semester (minimum 12 semester credit hours) of college-level coursework at the time of application.

Costs

Program II - Liberal & Studio Arts $8,600 per semester or $15,850 per academic year

Program III LdM-NCRC International Conflict Transformation Certificate $8,750 per semester

Costs Included

Tuition and administrative fees, program related activities, orientation in US and Italy, sickness and accident insurance

Costs Not Included

Airfare ($1,000 - $1,500 approx.), textbooks ($400 approx.), housing ($2,800-$6,600 approx.), meals ($1,700 (approx), personal expenses ($1,700 approx.), Permit of Stay registration fee (181.15 Euro - approx. $240), art equipment & supplies ($155 per course approx), optional field trips ($300-$2100), and school of record fee ($300 approx)- Non CUNY/CCIS if applicable.

Tuition Payment Deadlines for Semester Programs:
Fall Semester: July 15
Spring Semester: December 1

All costs, fees, and dates are subject to change without notification. Please contact the appropriate individual to verify all costs, fees, and dates for this program.

Related Links

• Wikipedia - Florence

 

Submit Application Materials To:

College of Staten Island/CUNY
Center for International Service
Building 2A, Room 206
2800 Victory Blvd.
Staten Island, NY 10314
(718) 982-2100
(718) 982-2108 (fax)
StudyAB@csi.cuny.edu
http://www.csi.cuny.edu/international

How do I apply?

Start the CCIS Study Abroad application process by downloading the forms. To download, right click on the application or recommendation form and click "save as", then save the form to your desktop or downloads. Once you have completed your form, SAVE IT FIRST!!!! DO NOT CLICK "SUBMIT" until you have SAVED your form or the recipient will receive a BLANK form. Once you have saved it, click "submit" and THEN email your completed form as an attachment to the contact email address associated with the program in which you are applying. If for some reason you do not see the email address pop up when you click "submit", then email the application to the program sponsor listed here on this page.

YOU MUST NOTIFY YOUR HOME INSTITUTIONS' STUDY ABROAD OFFICE OR ADVISOR OF YOUR INTENTIONS AND ALSO PROVIDE THEM WITH A COPY OF YOUR APPLICATION. 

These PDF documents are viewed using Adobe's Acrobat Reader plug-in, which is available free. If you don't have Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, click here.

CCIS Online Application & Instructions

CCIS Online Student Recommendation

(Students: DO NOT send the student recommendation form to your evaluators as an attachment. Please only send the page URL. The student recommendation form can be found under the "Apply Now" tab.) 

Application Deadlines:
Semester Programs:
April 15 – Fall Semester
October 15 – Spring Semester

Please note:
Academic Level: Undergraduate
No previous knowledge of Italian is required.

Note:
Students from CCIS member institutions apply through home campus; students from non-member institutions apply through Broome Community College/SUNY or other appropriate CCIS member institutions.

All costs, fees, and dates are subject to change without notification. Please contact the appropriate individual to verify all costs, fees, and dates for this program.