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Scuola Lorenzo de Medici
Florence, Italy  


 

Semester Session

 

Florence Program and Curriculum



The largest of the sites, Florence currently offers the most comprehensive program.

Students attending Lorenzo de' Medici for a semester may choose from four different programs of study. The programs vary in the weighting given to the Italian language element, and are thus designed to allow students with different backgrounds and personal preferences to choose how much time they wish to spend developing their Italian language skills.

All students on semester programs take at least one 3-credit Italian language course. Beyond the compulsory Italian language element, students are free to choose combinations of elective courses from a vast list, all taught in English, thus enabling them to satisfy personal preferences and the requirements of their US degree programs.

Subjects are listed below. Please see Course Schedules and Course Descriptions for more information.

SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

The School of Arts and Sciences includes the following departments: Anthropology, Art History, Classical Studies, Communications, Gender Studies, Geography and Environmental Science, History, History of Architecture, International Business, Literature, Mathematics, Music, Cinema and Theatre Studies, Nutrition and Health, Philosophy and Religious Studies, Political Science and International Studies, Psychology, and Sociology.

SCHOOL OF CREATIVE ARTS, MEDIA AND FASHION DESIGN

The school of Creative Arts, Media and Fashion Design includes the following departments: Fashion Design, Film, Video and Multimedia Production, Graphic Arts, Interior Design, Jewelry, Painting, Drawing and Mixed Media, Performing Arts, Photography, Printmaking, Restoration, Sculpture and Ceramics.

SCHOOL OF ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

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


Facilities
Lorenzo di Medici in Florence is perhaps the largest school in Florence, located in ten campus buildings (totaling 50,000 square feet) in the historic city center, right next to the thriving San Lorenzo market and church and close to transport facilities. Florence's unique architectural masterpiece, the Duomo, is within a few minutes walk. Together the school 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.

One of the main buildings in Florence is situated in Via Faenza and dates back to the 13th century. It originated as a convent connected to a medieval church, San Jacopo in Campo Corbolini. This church, now deconsecrated, was founded in 1206 and for its first hundred years belonged to the Knights Templar. Rich in medieval frescoes and sculpture,the church has recently been restored to its original splendor, and serves as the setting for conferences and receptions.


The main LdM building in Florence is situated in Via Faenza and dates back to the 13th century. It originated as a convent connected to a medieval church, San Jacopo in Campo Corbolini. Florence's unique architectural masterpiece, the Duomo, is within a few minutes' walk.

Together, the LdM buildings contain a full range of facilities:

* Numerous classrooms

* Large, specialized art studios

* Cafeteria

* Courtyard garden

* Library

* Student Point

* Computer center

* Wireless connection


 

2023-2024 Semester Prices

Included:


• Program**
• Housing in double or single occupancy student apartment
• Utilities up to $75/month
• Student medical insurance
• Welcome and Farewell reception
• Free mobile telephone rental with SMS broadcast messaging
• Internet access
• Pre-departure guide
• On-site orientation
• Student services including cultural and social events (some for additional fees)
• Special interest clubs (some require additional fees)
• On-campus library facilities
• Post-program evaluation
• Access to an LdM Advisor
• Revenue stamp and assistance in preparing documents for Permit of Stay
• Advice on acquiring a VISA
• Cultural Programs (see activities page)
• Orientation (covering attractions, how to, health safety, entertainment)
• Academic Assessment (placement-exit tests, achievement certificate)
• International Emergency & Medical Insurance
• Emergency Hotline Staffed 24/hrs day (call collect anywhere in the world)

***Language & Culture Classes: Weekly, Monthly during year in Florence. Information is available on request


FLORENCE:

*** One Semester: Double room From: $ 16,105
*** One Semester:Single room From: $ 16,764

Includes: Up to 12 credits (4 courses)

Transfer Credits:
You must have classes approved by your home university. NRCSA strongly recommends you obtain pre-approval for coursework whenever possible and speak with your university’s study abroad advisor to obtain the necessary paperwork. You should also take an advisor’s contact information with you abroad, in the event that courses change once on-site.

An official transcript from the foreign institution will be sent to your registrar or study abroad advisor upon the successful completion of each program.

Credits and Contact hours
Semester/year students will take 4-5 courses and receive 12-16 credit hours per semester session, or approximately 3 credits per course. The program fee includes a maximum of 16 credits per semester session (except for the 18 credit super-intensive program in Florence and Rome); however, you may take additional courses for credit for an additional fee per course. You must take at least one Italian language course per semester session.

Summer students will take 1-2 courses and receive 3-6 credit hours per summer session, or approximately 3 credits per course. The program fee includes a maximum of 6 credits per summer session; however, you may take additional courses for credit for an additional fee per course.

U.S. SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS ARE LISTED IN PARENTHESES AFTER EACH COURSE TITLE FOR MOST PROGRAMS. IF YOU ARE UNCLEAR ABOUT CREDIT HOURS OR EQUIVALENCES, PLEASE CONTACT NRCSA at 1-888-678-6211


 

Financial Arrangements

Make financial arrangements for your study abroad program. Please make sure you meet with your financial aid office as soon as possible to discuss financial aid or scholarship opportunities.


If you qualify for financial aid at your home university, you may be able to apply some of those funds to a study abroad program. This will vary depending on the source of your financial aid, and in all cases, will be subject to requirements of your university financial aid officer. When applicable, it normally requires an Ad Hoc Consortium Agreement between your home university and the foreign school. You must be a student in good standing, enrolled in a degree oriented program, and taking courses abroad which count towards a degree while you are a transient student at a foreign school.

 

Admission

- A 2.5 GPA is required,
- Students must be 18 years.
- No previous knowledge of Italian is required.

 

Appication Deadline:

Registrations must be received at least 3 months in advance

**Note: We will be able to work with Financial Aid to arrange payments options.

Accommodation:
Type of housing available in Florence:

* Student apartments

Please note that bedrooms are usually double; therefore, it is advisable to reserve single rooms well in advance.

For those who prefer more independence and privacy, the School can also help locate furnished small apartments for one or two people. Prices for apartments are generally more expensive and are available upon request.

For short stays (a week) the School recommends that students reserve a room in a local hotel: a list of hotels is available upon request.

To facilitate housing requests, the school recommends students apply as soon as possible to avoid inconveniences related to eventual overbooking on the part of the real estate agencies involved.


Transportation
Bus system

The city bus company is called ATAF. It is definitely the cheapest way for getting around the city. Tickets/passes range anywhere from one hour tickets to a one month ticket. Most buses usually run from early morning (about 6:00am) to midnight. A few buses run all night but they make very general routes. For bus routes, schedule and any other information, you may visit www.ataf.net, call the toll free # 800 424 500 or go directly to the Ataf office located next to the train station.

SITA, LAZZI & CAP Buses: These three bus companies have routes that travel outside of Florence's city limits. Bus terminals are located near the train station. SITA, which is located in Via Santa Caterina Da Siena, has buses that depart for Siena, San Gimignano, the Chianti wine country, etc. LAZZI is located in Via Valfonda and has routes going to Lucca, Viareggio, etc. CAP is located in Largo Alinari and has routes going to the Mugello area, Prato and the fairly large shopping mall, I Gigli.

Taxis
Keep in mind that taking a taxi in Florence is very expensive, especially at night. Generally, taxis cannot be hailed; you must either go to a taxi stand or call a taxi at the following numbers just telling them where you are: 055 4242, 055 4390 or 055 4798. Rates vary widely with the part of the city, the time of the day, how many pieces of luggage you have, etc. No checks or credit card are accepted for payment.

Travelling by train
The Italian state railroad is called FS ('Ferrovie dello Stato'). The main train station in Florence is called 'Santa Maria Novella' - SMN) and, as all the main train stations in Italy, has departure and arrival boards, showing departure/arrival times, main stops, delay, and track numbers. For information on train schedule, tariffs, special offers and reservations, you may call 892 021 (without any code but not from cell phones) or visit www.trenitalia.com.

IMPORTANT: YOU MUST VALIDATE YOUR TICKET BEFORE GETTING ON THE TRAIN! YELLOW BOXES ARE SET UP RIGHT BY EACH TRACK ESPECIALLY FOR THIS PURPOSE. IF YOU FORGET TO DO SO, THE CONDUCTOR WILL MAKE YOU PAY A FINE!

Airlines
New rules for hand baggage at all airports in the European Union
Effective November 6, 2006, new rules for the contents of hand baggage will apply for all airline passengers throughout the European Union (EU). Passengers may only carry small quantities (max. 100 ml per container) of liquids, gels and aerosols in their hand baggage. The packaging of these products must also meet specific requirements. This applies for all passengers departing from or catching connecting flights at airports within the European Union. The new rules apply for liquids such as water and other soft drinks, but also extend to gels, pastes, lotions, and the contents of aerosols. This includes toiletries such as toothpaste, shaving cream, hair gel, lip gloss, and facial creams.

Cheap airline companies to travel around Italy and Europe:

www.flyairone.it
www.ryanair.com
www.easyjet.com
www.malev.com
www.klm.com
www.hlx.com
www.transavia.com
www.vueling.com

 
 

National Registration Center for Study Abroad
P.O. Box 1393    Milwaukee, WI   53201   USA
Tel: (414) 278-0631    Fax: (414) 271-8884    E-Mail: study@nrcsa.com
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