WFU/Florence: Italian Language Study (Summer)

Famous for the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, and being the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence has so much to see and do. It is the most populated city in the Tuscany region and attracts millions of visitors each year. Its historic city center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982. The river Arno cuts through the old part of the city. Upon visiting Florence, one notices that much activity is centered around this important waterway, from the bridges that cross its banks to the restaurants and cafes that line its route through Florence. With easy train and air access to other parts of Italy and Europe, Florence is a prime location to spend a summer abroad.

Students will take an Italian language course (ITA 111 or 153) as well as IAS 210: Introduction to Italian Literature (D), taught by WFU Professor Claudia Antonini. Earn a total of 6 credit hours. (Additional higher-level ITA course potentially available depending on enrollment.)

Florence is located in Northern Tuscany. Essentially in the heart of Italy’s boot-shaped peninsula, Florence is situated in a basin and is surrounded by hills. With over 350,000 inhabitants, and nearly one million who live in the surrounding metropolitan area, Florence brings together the past with the present, creating unique blend of old art and architectural masterpieces with the modern delights of a vibrant European city.

Check out this Timeout article for the 21 Best Things to do in Florence

IAS 210 (D) – Renaissance Florence: Power, Culture, Everyday Life
+
3 hrs. ITA credit

The summer Study Abroad Program in Florence is designed to help students achieve three basic goals: Introduction to Italian language, an understanding of the Italian people and their culture, and a deeper awareness of their own culture. Students will take an Italian language course (ITA 111 or 153) for transfer credit. CET Academic Programs is WFU’s Florence-based partner for language course instruction and other programmatic support. (Additional higher-level ITA course potentially available depending on enrollment.)

In addition to the language course all students will also take an Italian Studies course (IAS 210) taught by a WFU professor, which will introduce the main aspects in Italian literature with crucial components such as history, art, politics, film studies, and cultural landmarks. Students will earn 6 total credit hours over the 4-week program.

IAS 210 (D): Renaissance Florence
This course explores crucial centuries in the history of Florence, focusing on struggles for power, cultural innovation, and everyday life. We will examine how power was contested within the city, analyzing internal divisions and the rise of the Medici family. We will study Florentine culture through masterpieces such as Dante’s Comedy and Niccolò Machiavelli’s The Prince, alongside works by artists including Filippo Brunelleschi and Sandro Botticelli. Finally, we will consider aspects of daily life in Florence, such as marriage and family dynamics and the experiences of marginalized groups.

2027 Faculty Leader:
Dr. Claudia Antonini
Assistant Professor
Italian Studies

336-758-4433

Dr. Claudia Antonini earned her BA and MA from the Scuola Normale di Pisa, just an hour by train from Florence. She then completed her PhD at Columbia University, held a fellowship in London, and joined the faculty at Wake Forest University. Dr. Antonini returns to Tuscany nearly every summer to conduct research in archives and libraries and is passionate about Florence’s history and rich cultural heritage.

Students will stay in shared occupancy apartments. The apartments are fully furnished and include kitchens with cooking utensils, bathroom(s), and air conditioning. Apartments house between 2-7 students (2-3 per bedroom) and are located in central Florence neighborhoods, such as Santa Croce, Sant’Ambrogio, Santo Spirito, Duomo, and Santa Maria Novella.  

NOTE: All students participating in the WFU Florence: Italian Language Study program are required to live in program-provided housing. Housing accommodations you may have on campus do not automatically transfer to abroad and certain housing accommodations (single rooms and private bathrooms, for example) may not be available.

Possible excursions include:

• Duomo complex
• Galleria dell’Accademia 
• Uffizi Gallery
• Pallazzo Vecchio
• Two day trips outside of Florence (e.g. San Gimignano, Pisa, Siena)

• Good academic standing
• Interest in Italian language and culture

The total cost of summer study abroad can be broken down into four categories:

• Program Fee – Usually covers room, in-country travel, excursions, some meals and other costs associated with the program.
• Tuition – Students on WFU summer programs pay WFU summer school tuition per credit hour. The 2026 summer rate was $950/per credit hour. 
• Airfare (estimated) – Varies per location. Students are responsible for their own airfare unless otherwise noted.
• Personal Expenses (estimated) – These will vary depending on the students’ spending habits, cost of living in the destination country, and the number of meals included in the program fee. This may also include visa fees, vaccinations, academic supplies/books and other miscellaneous daily expenses.

Billed by Wake Forest:
Program Fee – $7,250 (estimated)
Tuition – $2,850
                      +
Personal costs (will fluctuate per student):
Airfare (estimated) – $1,700
Personal Expenses (estimated) –  $1,920

Estimated total cost – $13,720

Students may apply for scholarships through the Center for Global Programs and Studies.

Other scholarships available:
– The Captain Mario G. and Katrina Tanner Vangeli Memorial Fund. Information here
– Sabin Family Scholarship: Florence Summer Program. Information here
– The Mercuri Family scholarship: Please contact Elizabeth MacMillan () or Ivy Wallace () in Romance Languages for more information.

Passport Information
Students need to check their passport’s expiration date and ensure that it will be valid for at least 6 months after the program’s end date.

Students going on a summer program need to make sure their passport is valid through at least mid-February of the following year.

US passport holders who need to renew their passport should visit the U.S. Department of State’s passport website for information on this process.

Non-US passport holders who need to renew their passport should refer to their home country’s passport office.

Visa Information
If you are a US citizen, you most likely will not require a visa for your summer abroad program. If you do, details will be shared with you by GPS. Non-US passport holders should check with their host country’s embassy or consulate to find out if a visa is required for their program or not.

2027 Faculty Leader:
Dr. Claudia Antonini
Assistant Professor
Italian Studies

336-758-4433

Claire Tynan
Study Abroad Advisor
Center for Global Programs and Studies
Email:
Phone: (336) 758-4072