Unleash Creativity in Florence, Italy

This is my second trip with this program I did the Japan last year and Italy this year also intend to go again next year and I loved the different classes there were I took cuisines and art history we made many different kinds of Italian food and went to different places almost every day there were also many different day trips on the weekends that were amazing to go on and ending in Rome and seeing the colosseum and learning about it was a great way to end the trip and the staff was really amazing and accommodating with the need of the students

My experience with world class programs can never be replicated. The program is so good that my only complaint is the heat outside, which isn’t even really a problem because the staff even think of that giving everyone fans. From the begging to the end I learned about Italian history and cuisine in an extremely interesting and enjoyable way. Everyone was kind and fun to be around, everywhere we went was presented in an incredible way and everything down to the food and rooms was extremely good

Italy was such a great trip. I got such a well rounded trip. I learned a lot of cool stuff some stuff I liked to learn about some I didn't care for as much but yet I am still glad I got to learn it all. I also got plenty of time to do my own thing explore shop hangout relax. I also got to see so many cool places, 8 different Cities. My favorite part of the trip is that the instructors are more like friends than teachers. This is my second trip with this program and I love the instructors. They Genuinely make the trip as good as it is. They are the perfect amount of strict for safety and learning but also laid back for fun and stress free. I love these trips so much. Highly recommend.

I learned so much on this trip through the art history course and photography course. I wasn’t that interested in many of the art made in periods such as renaissance, but I learned so much about them and got quite good at identifying them. I similarly wasn’t that knowledgeable about Christianity and especially Catholicism (at least more than the average American) but I learned so much about it as well and really came to respect the ideas related to it. Finally I also knew literally nothing about photography but through this I learned a lot about different styles and the essentials of photography to the point that I think I’ll be taking better pictures for the rest of my life. This is all without saying the fun and incredible sights and art I got to see, yes we went to churches and art museums to learn about it but we also went to appreciate it and through that I got to see some beautiful art that might be some of my highlight pictures from the trip. Also the day trips to other prominent cities are so much fun and so different Florence is a great base to operate out of and through that base different cities especially Venice and Siena contrast very well, Venice being very tight and of course featuring water, and Siena being very hilly.

World class program is great because it’s more than just a summer program it is an absolute immersion into Ancient Rome; the renaissance in Florence, and amazing medieval art were extravagant and eye popping. Going into the different museums and churches was, like dunking yourself into a beautiful shining spring in Ancient Rome taking you back in time to the minds of Roman’s and what they were thinking while walking into grandiose church. The different day trips were amazing in total there were four day trips one to Lucca where we rode bikes around the city walls, and explored the city, one to cinque terre where we hiked across a mountain with a view of the Mediterranean and ended on the beach. One to siena where we explored the city on the mountain and saw the amazing views. My favorite day trip was the one to Venice where we saw Murano the glass making city and we took boats around to different locations. The pros of the program was the amount of stuff that we had easy access to because of the great connections and the staff. Another pro is the community all the people were easy to connect with and make good friends without any problems. The amount of free time to explore and shop in Florence was great you were able to get what ever lunch you wanted or go to what ever shop in all of old Florence. The cons weren’t many. The program was genuinely so amazing. The only one I can think of is the heat in Italy, but it wasn’t the programs fault it is Italy’s faults for not having good american a/c. The only other con I can think of is not being able to go longer.

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It was a very fun program where they taught us a lot about Itlay and I also enjoyed it so much that I did it twice. They gave us 3 to 4 hours of free time almost everyday was definitely one of the biggest highlight of the trip.They gave us enough time to do what we wanted. The staff was always supportive and you weren't forced into doing all of the activities if we didn't feel well or didn't want to. They tried to make the trip the most enjoyable as possible and we're very flexible with what we wanted to do. We also weren't in just one city we went all over the Italy visiting at least 9 cities.

My study abroad experience was truly unforgettable, largely because of the amazing and easy-going staff who made every day enjoyable. Their friendly nature and sense of humor created a welcoming atmosphere that helped me feel at home even when I was far away. I often found myself laughing with them, which made the whole experience not just educational but genuinely fun. Their support and kindness made a big difference, turning challenges into opportunities to grow. One of the most meaningful parts of my time abroad was the relationships I built. I connected with people from all over the world, and these friendships became an important part of my journey. Sharing experiences, learning about different cultures, and supporting each other made these bonds truly special. These relationships taught me the value of understanding and empathy, and I know they will continue to be important in my life long after the program ends. Beyond the social side, I learned so much academically and personally. The new environment pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and adapt in ways I hadn’t before. I gained knowledge in my field of study, but I also learned life skills like independence and problem-solving. This experience has not only enriched my education but also helped me grow into a more confident and open-minded person.

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My study abroad experience with World Class Programs was absolutely incredible! From start to finish, the staff was truly exceptional – so supportive, knowledgeable, and genuinely made the trip unforgettable. I honestly wish I could have stayed longer! I learned an immense amount, particularly in subjects like color theory and various painting periods, which has been invaluable. This program provided such a rich and immersive learning environment. Highly recommend!

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The course itself was a wonderful mix of cultural immersion and learning about the history, art, historical figures who lived in Florence centuries ago. My one and only complaint can be summed up as, if you go on this trip, don’t expect everyone to be as into as you. I was deeply passionate about the history of Italy, and made a friend or two on the trip who was equally as passionate, but as a consumer of this tour, be aware that some are here to passively take in the sights, rather than eagerly devouring everything they can see.

As an adventurous and curious teenager who loves everything to do with the Renaissance, Florence Italy with World Class Programs was a dream. Florence itself feels like you're going back to the time of the Renaissance. There are masterpieces everywhere, and it's such a small and welcoming city that you can get familiar with easily. For me, it felt like home. The program itself, first of all, is not a boring and formulaic program that will remind you of school. I know I was worried about papers and homework, because honestly after a long school year, everyone needs a break from that. Yet, without being assigned a single paper through the entire program, I learned more than an entire years' worth of a school course. The program is extremely immersive, and if you're learning anything at all, it's very likely you'll be standing right in front of whatever your topic is. Whether it be looking up at the David, or admiring a Medici's palace, you're learning simply by seeing and experiencing the culture of Italy, not counting the staff's instruction as well. I've also learned so much about the Italian culture, cuisine, and lifestyle, simply because I was given a taste of it for 3 weeks. And you're constantly around local Italians as well, it's not all just tourists. The experience is so new and so enlightening, and after it, I feel everyone needs to go to Italy at least once in their lifetime. It doesn't matter if you're not interested in history or the old masters of Italian art, or even in their delicious coffee and pasta, you'll still be blown away. There's something for everyone there. World Class Programs is also extremely lenient, and balances the schedule for students to have time to explore Florence with at least one other student/staff. (And trust me, you'll make friends if you want to. I made friends with groups of people who were a lot different than me, and I'm so glad to have met every single one of them) Exploring Florence without the direction of a staff member allows for a freedom that separates this program from others. You can be independent, shop, eat gelato, or sift through souvenir shops. You'll never run out of things to do in Florence, and I barely crossed off half the things on my list. As for the staff members, they were all so sweet, and work for you to have an amazing time 24/7. All in all, this program was easily the highlight of not only my summer, but the past years as well. It is definitely adventurous, and entails a lot of walking and exploring, but at least you have a home base in Florence, and the food makes it all worth it.

This program was so full and I learned so much I would definitely recommend this program to people who love being busy just know it’s a lot of walking and thier is a certain amount of maturity need to make this program enjoyable

We found World Class Program by chance at a high school fair and immediately liked their programs. Our daughter went on a trip last year with World Class and absolutely loved it. The director Derek and his staff are top notch. This summer she went back again, this time to Florence, and there was no question that it would be with Derek's team. They saw all the great art and history in Florence and learned so much about the local culture. And amazing!! food. My daughter hasn't stopped talking about the side trips, especially Venice. As a parent I loved the focus on health and safety without sacrificing anything in the experience.

This trip to Italy has truly been Amazing! We saw SO many cool landmarks and historical sights as well as incredible old art and statues including the David! The food there is incredible and so much better than in the states. The staff are also really helpful and supportive and genuinely care about each and every students safety and wellbeing and do their best to make sure everyone has a good time. If you choose to go on this trip you will have an AMAZING time!!! My favorite part of this trip is was when we got to ride bicycles on the old wall in Luca! It was an amazing view and just an incredible experience. I highly recommend this trip!

My 16 year old daughter attended the World Class Program trip to Italy in the Summer of 2024 and had a fantastic experience. The program staff were very communicative and provided plenty of details on the itinerary, activities and accommodations. My daughter got the chance to see another country with a group of American teens which allowed her to expand her worldview in a way that didn't feel too foreign. I would recommend the program to rising juniors or seniors in high school. My daughter is interested in attending a different trip next year with World Class Programs.

Best decision I've made for my son! Having never traveled overseas alone, he braved the experience, knowing no one involved, and came home with eyes wide open and a whole new perspective on the world. Derek and the team at World Class Programs were organized and communicative at all times. Seeing pictures posted through the program as well as the weekly diary let me see what he was experiencing every day. Next up is the Japan experience and we are beyond excited for his next adventure.

Best. Three. Weeks. Ever. I absolutely loved this trip and it was worth every penny. The staff was amazing and cooperative and did not make us feel like they just had power over us they were super understanding of any problem we had. My sister went on this trip 2 years ago and has not shut up about it since so I was worried mine would not be as good as her’s, boy was I in for it. I took art history and photography and both of my teachers were great and made the subject fun and not like a regular high school class. The living situation was great and I have no complaints there, and our rooms had lots of space. The food situation was very good and we were not cheaper out when It came to eating and the staff made sure I never went hungry. Each day we had a literary that was very planned out. It was nice to not have to worry about planning and to just be told where to be at what time, it was worth the money. I will recommend this trip to anyone, it was a great experience and perfect for my age (17). The staff was amazing and I even felt like they were all our age and not just adults that didn’t want to have any fun. We had freedom and free time to also do activities we wanted to do. The program almost seems too good to be true but trust me it is exactly as good as I am telling you and a beautiful experience for teenagers. I actually enjoyed the program so much I am also going to be doing the Japan program this summer. We were well taken care of and I made friends that I know I will have for a lifetime. Before this trip I hadn’t been away from my family for even a week, not even camp. For the first 3 days I was nervous about the trip and how I was going to do but by day four I was so comfortable and was getting close with the girls in my room and I never wanted to leave. I have traveled a lot and been to many countries and different vacations but the is trip is by far my favorite trip I have ever been on. This trip has been amazing for me to grown as a person and meet new people from different states and to be submerged into a brand new culture.

This study abroad program was such a great experience! Not only did it immerse me in Italian culture and lifestyle, but it also gave me the opportunity to meet a ton of new people and form lifelong relationships.

This trip was so much fun! I really had an amazing time, I was very nervous when I first started and on the first day I had already made so many friends and memories. I would recommend this trip to other people:)

World Class Programs more than lives up to its name. I cannot recommend them highly enough. My daughter participated in the 2023 Florence program. She not only discovered a passion for art history, but also benefited from the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that Derek Tano and his amazing staff built into the program design. World Class also perfectly calibrated the balance between independence and supervision, giving the students a taste of what college life might feel like. My daughter returned with more confidence and with her love of travel and openness to new experiences enhanced. The memories and the friendships she made will last a lifetime.

As I think about my time with World Class Programs, the words that come to my head are professional, one of a kind, and all around exceptional. Derek and Vieri, the program directors, carefully curated our whole program. Vieri being a local Florence native allowed us (the students) to better understand the city by showing us around in a way that only a local could. His fluency in Italian, plus local connections made it possible for us to do things that other companies couldn’t imagine. Derek’s background in art and art history made the whole city even more captivating. From learning about how to identity a roman building, to teaching us about the meaning behind the colors used in church paintings, Derek captured it all. When you combine these two masterminds you get WCP. Vieri and Derek allowed us to be independent - including housing, specific meals, and going around the city. Being held responsible for yourself is a big task, especially in a different country. But truthfully it was a task we could all handle. The program itself is education based, which should be the case for any of these programs. This trip is not a vacation but an adventure. I’ve created memories that I’ll be able to tell my grandchildren about. I’ve created life long friendships that will forever bond me to the beautiful city of Florence. Thank you to WCP for giving me the privilege to fly to the amazing country of Italia, speak the language, be a local, eat delicious foods, cook delicious meals, analyze art, draw beautiful sculptures, shop like a tourist, create life long friendships, and so much more.

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