Description

** Early Bird Discounts: Receive discounts for Spring if you apply by Sept. 15 and for Summer and Fall if you apply by Feb. 15! Check the Athena Study Abroad for details.**

Athena Study Abroad was designed to meet the needs of any student who wishes to attend a small university overseas, in order to gain the most culturally rich and authentic immersion possible. These programs are especially attractive to small-school students, because the search for these students to find study abroad programs which cater to their unique wants and needs is often difficult.

Athena programs are different in that students are enrolled at small schools overseas in an effort to maintain the personalized service throughout the semester that Athena prides itself on providing. Unlike many other study abroad programs, Athena offers its students programs that are focused on intense, cultural immersion which puts them in touch with the locals of their host country, elements of the host culture, and other international students from around the world to ensure a well-rounded, diverse experience.

Athena's partner school in Italy, Lorenzo de' Medici (LDM) is a private institution located among several buildings in the center of this charming Renaissance city. The campus' main building dates back to the 13th century and, before being renovated, was originally a convent and church. Medieval frescos and sculptures still adorn the walls and ceilings of the classrooms, ensuring a beautiful and historical holistic experience for students - both in and out of the classroom.

LDM is equipped with modern computer and language labs, comfortable classrooms, knowledgeable faculty, diverse course offerings (from language or theater, to archaeology or history). One of the primary missions of the Lorenzo de' Medici School, which has been operating its main campus in Florence for more than 30 years, is to promote global education through authentic cultural immersion programs and a diverse international student population.

Housing:
Housing is in conveniently located apartments, complete with living area, 2 to 3 bedrooms, bathroom and fully-equipped kitchens, where students can prepare their meals. Most of the bedrooms are double-occupancy rooms, a few are single-occupancy rooms. Kitchen and bathroom are usually to be shared with other students. Apartments are located in close proximity to the school and the city center. A 10 to 15 minute bus ride is sometimes needed.

Cafeteria/Meal Cards:
LdM has a cafeteria/bar that offers students pasta at lunchtime, pastries and espresso/cappuccino, salads and sandwiches, snacks, fruit, candy and drinks.

LdM Meal Card:
* 10-meal card costs 45 euro (4,50 euro each meal)
* 30-meal card costs 120 euro (4 euro each meal)

Each meal includes:
* a large portion of the "dish of the day" (i.e pasta or vegetables or salad, etc..)
* 1 soft drink (Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Fruit juice, etc..)
* 1 cappuccino OR espresso

Field Trips (Semester Only):
Two trips are included (destinations vary by semester). Possible locations include:
* Venice
* The Alps, Verona and the Garda Lake
* Nice, Monte Carlo and the French Riviera: Cannes, St. Paul de Vence
* Food, Wines, and Art of the Renaissance: Assisi, Orvieto, San Gimignano, Montalcino
* Venice and the Courts of the Renaissance: Mantua and Ferrara
* Rome
* Portofino and Cinque Terre
* Capri, Sorrento and Pompeii
* Arezzo, Cortona, Montepulciano, and Pienza

Summer Options:
* Super-Intensive Italian (June, July, August)
6 credits of intensive Italian language

* Electives: 3 or 6 credits (June, July)
Select 1 or 2 elective courses from a wide variety of course offerings

* Studio Art Workshop (June, July): 6 credits

I. June Sessions
a) Florence and Southern Italy Restoration Workshop (2 weeks in Florence, 2 field weeks)

b) Florence and Carrara Marble Sculpture Workshop (3 weeks in Florence plus 1 field week)

II. July Sessions
a) Florence and Southern Italy Watercolor Workshop: Color and Light (3 weeks in Florence plus 1 field week)

b) Florence and Southern Italy Restoration Workshop (2 weeks in Florence, 2 field weeks)

Highlights

Athena developed its Students Offering Support (S.O.S.) Program to provide study abroad students with a way to show their appreciation to their host culture by way of a monetary donation. While we at Athena know how great it feels to give back to our students through discounts and promotions, we have designed the S.O.S. program in an effort to assist our students in passing on this goodwill to the world.

Athena donates a percentage of our proceeds each year to a featured charity (which changes annually). This year, we have chosen Ashoka as the S.O.S. international charity recipient of the year.

Studying abroad in Florence, Italy, means living in a city that boasts a reputation of being one of the most artistically and culturally beautiful cities in the world. From the regal Renaissance and Medieval architecture of the buildings that line the city streets, to the priceless works of art that line the walls of the Uffizi gallery, beauty and culture surround you at every turn in this richly diverse city. With one of the largest international study abroad student populations in the country, Florence is a perfect blend of old-city tradition with modern-day energy.

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Minimum Education

High School

Intern Types

Languages

• English
• Italian

Subject Areas

Cost in US$:

13,999 USD per semester; 4,499 - 5,499 USD for Summer.

Program Fees Include:

* Tuition
* Housing in student apartment
* Health insurance from HTH Worldwide, a global leader in international health insurance
* Services of an on-site Resident Director
* Two weekend trips (see "Field Trips" section)
* Campus internet access (option to purchase in-apartments)
* Pre-departure guide
* Official transcript from Scuola Lorenzo de' Medici (LdM)
* Arrangement of U.S. accredited transcript, if necessary (additional transcript fees apply)
* Utilities up to USD 75/month
* 24-hour emergency line to advisors (health issues)
* Welcome and Farewell reception
* Cell phone rental
* On-site orientation
* Student services including cultural and social events
* Special interest clubs
* On-campus library facilities
* Access to a school advisor
* Revenue stamp and assistance in preparing documents for Permit of Stay
* Advice on acquiring a visa
* Contribution to a world charity through Students Offering Support (S.O.S.), Athena's charitable arm
* Unparalleled personalized service

Experience Required

no

This Program is open to

American Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat
• Home-stays
• Other

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups

Scholarships are Available

* Michele Iavagnilio Charitable Service Scholarship (Available for Spring Semester Students) Award: USD 8,000 The Iavagnilio Charitable Service Scholarship is designed for the Athena student who can best demonstrate a commitment to and active participation in charitable service in his or her community. * Marie McKay Global Citizen Scholarship Award: USD 1,000 The McKay Global Citizen Scholarship is designed for the Athena student who can best demonstrate an interest in and intention to promote the concept of social justice at a city, state, national, and/or global level. * Vincent I. Benander Learning Scholarship Award: USD 1,000 The Benander Academic Scholarship is designed for the Athena student who can best demonstrate a true "love of learning" in his/her major area of study, and superior academic abilities. * Athena Penny Scholarship Award: USD 250 The Penny Scholarships are available to students studying abroad at specific Athena campuses overseas.

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Other
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Athena Study Abroad's Mission Statement

Athena was developed in an effort to bring study abroad back to what it was intended to be - true, cultural immersion programs designed by knowledgeable, caring professionals. Athena programs are different in that students are enrolled at small schools overseas in an effort to maintain the personalized service throughout the semester that Athena prides itself on providing.  Athena offers its students programs that are focused on intense, cultural immersion which puts them in touch with the locals of their host country, elements of the host culture, and other international students from around the world to ensure a well-rounded, diverse experience. In addition, a percentage of Athena's proceeds are donated to a chosen world charity through our S.O.S. Program (Students Offering Support), which allows students to give back to the world that welcomed them during their semester abroad.