Accredited Year Study Abroad Program in Florence, Italy

Thinking about studying abroad for a year? Choose to study abroad with SRISA!

A year study abroad program is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will take you out of your comfort zone and into a world of new experiences. You will meet new people, learn a new language, and encounter different cultures all while living in the beautiful city of Florence. Both your college education and life skills will be enhanced thanks to this adventure.

Santa Reparata International School of Art (SRISA) offers you a chance to pursue your major or minor or take time to try something you are passionate about. You will leave with a domestic transcript from Maryville University in St. Louis. They are fully accredited through The Higher Learning Commission, North Association of Colleges and Schools.

What courses can I take on my year abroad?

The year-long program starts in September and runs through April. It includes the fall semester, which runs from September-December and is worth 14-16 credits, and the Spring semester, running from January-April which is again worth a total of 14-16 credits. The whole year program is worth a total of 28-32 credits.

There are a number of different courses you can take during your year abroad. Being a world-renowned art school, some of our most popular courses are in the Fine Arts and Design departments, which include painting and drawing, printmaking, bookbinding, photography, new genres, and performative arts. We also offer humanities and social science courses, such as Art History, History and Politics, and Italian Language and Literature. All costs are available on our website.

Learn more about dates, fees, courses, field trips and activities offered for a specific term: 

OVERVIEW

Program Structure:

SRISA offers American University level undergraduate courses taught in English in a variety of areas of study. All classes, with the exception of Italian, are taught in English. Most students choose to study for one or two semesters. Fall and Spring semesters are 15 weeks long and students enroll in 15-16 credit hours.

Semester Programs:

  • Fall (September-December) Total Credits: 15-16
  • Spring (January-April) Total Credits: 15-16

Departments:

  • Fine Arts
  • Liberal Arts
  • Design
  • Italian

Subjects:

Photography, Digital Imaging, Printmaking, Book Arts, Painting, Drawing, Art History, Museum Studies, History, Music Appreciation, Politics and Social Science, Literature, Creative Writing, Cinema (Film Studies), Journalism, Fashion Design, Jewelry Design, Textiles Design, Italian Language (All Levels).

CLASSROOM STRUCTURE & INSTRUCTION:

Academic Lecture Classes:

These classes meet twice a week for a total of 3 contact hours per week. Classes combine in-class lectures, discussion and on-site visits and instruction. Most academic courses are reading and writing intensive and will require a minimum of 6-9 hours of work outside of regular class-time.

Studio Classes:

These hands on courses meet twice a week for a total of 6 contact hours per week. Studio courses combine practical lessons, in-class demonstrations and slide presentations. When possible students go on-site to work or visit exhibits or museums of relevance to the subject being studied. All courses require outside work and in-class critiques, both group and individual. Advanced studio courses may require written assignments and many require students to keep a sketchbook.

Grading and Evaluation:

Students are graded using the American University model of evaluation.

Field Trips:

Most courses integrate on-site visits to museums and exhibitions and at times require day trips. These excursions are considered an integral part of the course curriculum and attendance is mandatory. The fees for these excursions are not included in tuition fees and students will be invoiced separately after the end of the add-drop period for these excursions along with general lab fees.

REGISTERING FOR COURSES:

To register for courses students download the Course Registration Form.
There is a form for Fine Arts and Liberal Arts programs.
Students registering for Fine Arts or Liberal Arts sign up for (1) 4 credit Italian Language course and (4) courses of their choice for a total of 5 courses and 16 credits.
Students may enroll in a maximum of (3) Studio Art courses per semester.
Students must provide alternatives to their first choice courses or their course registration will be considered incomplete.

Why should I choose to study a year abroad at SRISA?

SRISA’s facilities are spacious and well equipped, from the printmaking studio, which is one of the best-equipped and most broad-ranging print facilities in Italy, to the photography studio with its darkroom and alternative processes darkroom. Photography is not only a skilled creative medium but also a great way to document your year abroad. Students will be able to learn what it takes to be a working studio artist as well as how to use our 3D and 4D studios.

Through a mixture of academic lectures and studio classes from our talented faculty you will come away with well-rounded knowledge and experience in your chosen subject. Not only will your academic and artistic abilities flourish, but you will also get a chance to learn about yourself and who you are.

Where will I live? What does SRISA accommodation include?

When you make your mind up about what you would like to study, we can also then provide you with your accommodation. SRISA Housing gives you the chance to stay in a typical Florentine apartment within walking distance of the school. You will see what it is like to live as a local.

When you choose to stay with us you also get the opportunity to meet new people as you will be living with students from the school. You can request to live with someone that you already know but sometimes it is more of an adventure and experience if you choose to live with friends that you have yet to meet.

The housing cost includes rent, utilities (within reason), check-in service, staff assistance and also administrative fees. You can choose from a double occupancy room, single occupancy, a private apartment or you can arrange your own accommodation. All of the apartments are equipped with all you need to make your house a home.

Studying a year abroad will help prepare you for life after your college education. You will become independent, know how to mix with people from other cultures, learn a new language, adapt to different situations, and these are all traits that will help you in your career.

Is it possible to intern at SRISA?

Why not grow your professional skills by looking at our summer study abroad internships! Interning in Florence is the perfect way to make the most of your time here and will also help you in your career. Here at SRISA we do everything we can to get you a suitable internship that will service you and your future career needs. It will be in a field of your choice and either internally within the institution or with a local business.

An internal internship here at SRISA will help you in various areas like marketing, curating, social media, and photography. You will work alongside professionals who will not only offer their valuable time and experience but will prepare you for working life in the professional world. In the past students alongside working with SRISA staff have created marketing materials including videos, limited-edition screen-printed products, photograph student and artist events that are happening in and around the school such as SRISA gallery shows.

There is also the possibility to learn in various locations around Florence. The employer will depend on both your skills and your availability. Previous candidates have interned in art galleries, art museums, graphic design studios, and in photography, journalism, and marketing. We can also support you in building your own study abroad summer internships.