What does a typical orientation include?
Upon arrival in Florence, one of the first priorities is communication; we make sure students are in contact with parents, and we set up a WhatsApp group so that they can be in touch with staff and other students throughout the program. Another top priority is safety. Many have traveled quite a bit, but usually with their parents, so we talk about personal safety in the city, being aware of your surroundings, and never going off on their own without other students and/or staff. A discussion of health is important at this time too; they need to eat right, drink plenty of water, get enough sleep, and always communicate with staff day or night if there are any emergencies or concerns. Finally, we talk about why they came to Florence, and how we can work together to make sure it’s a fabulous program!
Students in Fiesole
What are the accommodations for students like?
It was a new residence for Abbey Road this year, in a neighborhood just ten minutes’ walk from the Duomo, nice and quiet but with all necessary resources right there (supermarket, pharmacy, cafes, etc). Students were in apartments, usually in a bedroom with one or two other students, but with several bedrooms sharing a kitchen and common areas. Air conditioning was fairly reliable, and the staff was in the same buildings.
Dinner with students in Florence
How do you help participants become involved in the area?
Students naturally became involved by doing their daily errands in the neighborhood. In the context of their classes, their teachers had them talking to local business owners, ordering in Italian in restaurants, and sketching in piazzas.
What is a typical day in the life of a participant in your program?
After a community meeting every morning, students had their major class (Photography, Art History, Italian, for example), then a break for lunch, and then three days a week their elective class in the afternoon (Studio Art, Tuscan Cuisine, Fashion, for example). Then we might have dinner with the entire group or perhaps divide into smaller groups to explore restaurants throughout the city. Weekends were for day trips by coach bus to places like Cinqueterre, Siena, or Bologna.
How do you ensure the safety of your participants?
Students are always required to be with at least one friend and can be in constant contact with the staff over WhatsApp. If they do somehow get lost or separated, the staff can instantly see their location and help them find the group.
On boat in Venice
What optional activities do you offer to participants in their free time?
There is so much to do in the city! Students had daily afternoon and/or evening choices including the Da Vinci museum, the Boboli Gardens, a leather workshop demonstration, the local public pool, a yoga class, a dinner picnic overlooking the city after hearing monks chanting at a church, or an escape room game. Too many things to list all of them!
What is your favorite part of Florence?
What I love about Florence is that it’s small and accessible, but there’s something amazing around every corner. I’m in awe of the Duomo every single time I walk by it. It’s nearly impossible to have bad food, and there’s gelato every 50m! It’s a great place to empower students to do some navigating and exploring on their own. After just a few weeks with Abbey Road in Florence, students can build their independence and their confidence.
