Customized Programs

SRISA works with over 50 Universities, agencies, and programs providing services and facilities to programs and faculty to develop their own customized summer or semester abroad program in Florence.

Wonder how great it would be to take your students out of the university campus routine and run the class right in the Florence historical city center?

Prof. Carol Golemboski, Head of Photography Program at University of Colorado Denver is doing it since 2004. In this short video Carol is sharing her experience of organizing Custom Faculty-Led Programs at SRISA:

What SRISA provides:

  • Facilities for visiting faculty to teach in, including (painting, drawing, printmaking, book arts, digital photography, analog darkroom photography, jewelry design, sculpture, fashion design, and lecture classrooms)
  • Housing for both students and faculty
  • Services & Program Management: a full program of services including: orientation, pre-departure assistance, field trip coordination, emergency assistance, and much more!
  • Activities: Including Welcome banquets, final exhibitions of student work, and an extensive cultural program of lectures and activities help augment your program.
  • An amazing staff of people to help build your perfect program in Florence and provide on-site support so that you can focus on teaching.

When can you propose a program: See calendar for exact dates

  • Mini-May – 2 weeks
  • Summer A – 4 weeks (approx. late May to late June)
  • Summer B – 4 weeks (approx. late June to late July)
  • Fall Semester – 15 weeks
  • J-Session, Winter Program – 2 to 4 weeks
  • Spring Semester – 15 weeks
  • Spring Break

For more information on how we can help you build a Customized/Faculty-Led Program in Florence please contact Laelle Busch, Customized Programs Manager.

laelle

Laelle Busch

Assistant Director & Registrar

Contact Laelle Busch

Email: registrar@srisa.org

Skype: RegistrarFlorence

Tel: +39(055) 462-7374

Join SRISA’s faculty-led programs abroad.

Faculty Led study abroad programs and other customized programs are available at the Santa Reparata International School of Art (SRISA). We act as the host institution for your university. In short, you can think of SRISA as an extension of your campus and Florence as your classroom. You will be teaching in this magical city and your students will be not only learning what you teach in the classroom but also how to be a part of a local community.

SRISA provides faculty-led programs with teaching facilities for numerous different courses and disciplines, including painting and drawing, printmaking and book arts, sculpture, 3D-4D & fashion studios, digital photography & analog darkroom photography as well as numerous lecture rooms and classrooms customized to meet your needs. Students’ education does not end in the classroom: Florence, located in the heart of Tuscany, is fantastic for traveling with ease to surrounding cities such as Rome, Venice, Milan, and many more. SRISA’s field trip coordinator is more than happy to help with the organization of these trips.

How will my students integrate with other students and locals?

Take advantage of the cultural activities that are organized by both SRISA and the local community. All activities organized by SRISA are in English, but there is fantastic language support so that your students can learn Italian and have conversations with staff and other members of the Florentine community. Communication with the locals, such as chatting with the person who makes your morning coffee, will make you feel at home straight away. This will also help you to feel more confident when taking part in cultural activities organized by the local community.

We also provide both faculty and students with housing options, which are just a stone’s throw away from some of the most iconic buildings in the world. Just imagine, once you step outside your door you are walking on the same sidewalks as some of the most important names in history. All our accommodation is within walking distance of our four different campuses (San Gallo, San Lorenzo, Santa Reparata and Cavour).

Our experienced staff will be there to help with all your and your student’s needs so that you can focus on teaching. With our on-site facilities and staff, the transition to a term at SRISA will be effortless. Allow us to help you create the perfect program for you and your students. Your program can be customized according to both your curriculum and budgetary needs.

SRISA offers both faculty-led and customized programs

Here at SRISA we can accommodate most dates and time frames that you would like to propose for your faculty-led and customized programs. Most programs tend to follow the existing terms: Mini-May (2 weeks around the beginning of May), Summer A (lasting 4 weeks, from late May to late June), and Summer B (lasting 4 weeks from late June to late July). We can also accommodate programs during our Winter Program or J-Session term which generally lasts 2-4 weeks. If you’re looking for a longer time in Florence, you can choose to have your class during the Fall semester, which starts at the end of August and lasts for 15 weeks, or during our Spring semester, running for 15 weeks starting in January. You can even have your course the week of Spring break! Feel free to get in touch with us to discuss when might work best for you and your students.

All faculty led study abroad programs get the same benefits as any other SRISA program. This means pre-departure assistance and orientation as soon as you arrive. Welcome packets are also available for each student. During orientation, we will chat about what to expect about life Florence and studying at SRISA. Inside the welcome packet is important information on how to get around Florence, where you can get discounts, and how to survive in Florence.

There will also be activities that include a welcome banquet or a farewell gala that will be held in a magnificent, historical setting. Guests get dressed up in their finery and enjoy fine food and music. There is also a final exhibition of the student artwork, allowing students to present the works of art they have made over that term. Each term there are many cultural events and lectures that will aid the students in their learning and getting to know the greater local community as well as the SRISA staff, faculty, and other students.

Faculty-Led Partner Testimonials

SRISA has partnered with over sixty institutions and agencies throughout the USA and Mexico and every year SRISA hosts over 35 visiting Faculty-Led programs from across the world at its Florence campus.

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Custom Faculty Led Study Abroad Programs in Florence
Hardin-Simmons University Linda Fawcett, Professor of Art, Hardin-Simmons University

SRISA made possible an incredible experience for myself and my students. What I love the most about having a partnership with SRISA is that the faculty/staff form a close-knit ‘family’ unit that are available for everything, from travel advice/arrangements in Florence and throughout Italy, to cultural and shopping tips, to 24-7 immediate emergency response. It is important to me to know that SRISA has my back so that my responsibilities don’t become overwhelming. Faculty and staff are assertive and compassionate at the same time, and it is obvious that they all truly care about every student and visiting teacher. I have life-long friends at SRISA.

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Indiana University South Bend Susan L. Moore, Department Chair and Professor of Fine Arts, Ernestine M. Raclin School of Art, Indiana University, South Bend

For the past twelve years I have made made bi-annual trips to Florence, Italy with a group of students. Working with SRISA makes my trip so easy. I can focus of teaching and adventure, and know that the staff at SRISA can handle all the challenges of travel, the health and safety of the students.  We see the historical art of the Renaissance and the contemporary art of the Biennale in Venice. We see the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, and the hills of Chianti. We eat pizza, pasta and gelato! Through this travel and experience, students find their view of the world through the lens of their camera. Each summer, The directors and staff at SRISA make Florence seem like a home away from home. I am already looking forward to going back again.

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University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Art and Art History Karen Kunc, Cather Professor of Art, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Art and Art History

I enjoy a long and successful collaboration with SRISA for our study abroad printmaking courses, enabling our students to blend in and benefit from SRISA’s experience, logistics, and organization. The studios are beautiful and open, housing is convenient and in interesting locations, and the city of Florence of course is unsurpassed! Each student has an amazing experience, and my teaching has interaction and growth because of this opportunity.

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VCU Fashion in Florence Program Kimberly Guthrie, Associate Chair and Assistant Professor, VCU Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising

Thanks to one of my students who spent a fall semester at SRISA, the VCU Fashion in Florence Program was created. She told me how wonderful her experience was and thought that a summer program would be a wonderful way to give more students the opportunity to experience the beautiful city of Florence and work with the fantastic team at SRISA. Our program has run interrupted since 2008 as both a one month and two month program. The faculty and staff at SRISA are incredible to work with and eager to help in any way to make our programs successful.

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Western Colorado University Anders Johnson, Associate Professor of Art, Western Colorado University

Custom Faculty Led Study Abroad Programs in Florence - image 6An aspect to running a Study Abroad Program that I didn't fully consider before leaving for Italy was how a student issue can be exponentially more challenging to solve while in Florence.  It was incredible to have the entire SRISA support system working with us to provide the best possible course and experience for not just the students but also the faculty.  The staff at SRISA will help you feel like a pro, even if you are brand new to building a study abroad course like I was.  I would highly recommend working with SRISA for your study abroad course, and their support will help you to maximize your own time and energy while leading your class.