Though many films have tried to portray Florence's beauty, few capture the city's sweeping Tuscan hills and ancient yet modern charm. Saturated with history, food and art, Florence makes an ideal study abroad destination for any students looking to immerse themselves in the vibrant culture of one of Europe's most charming cities.

Florence (or Firenze in Italian) has one of the largest and most important higher education systems in all of Italy with colleges as the Università di Firenze (University of Florence), the Accademia di Belle Arti specializing in the fine arts, and Istituto Superiore di Educazione Fisica, which focuses on physical education and physiotherapy studies. Florence is also home to more than 30 foreign universities, hosting institutions from Germany, France, Japan, and the United States.

In addition, numerous study abroad organizations offer excellent programs. Studio Art Centers International (SACI), based in a palazzo in the city center, offers U.S.-accredited liberal arts and studio art courses ranging from drawing, design and architecture to conservation, allowing international students truly to engage the world of Italian art. Students wishing to improve their language skills may want to look into programs such as EU Study Abroad, which partners with the Instituto Europeo to offer intensive Italian classes.

Students interested in history should prepare themselves to fall instantly in love with Florence. It was first established as Florentina (meaning "may she flourish") in 59 B.C. as a settlement for former Roman soldiers. Later it served as the capital of the Kingdom of Italy and was for a time ruled by the Medici family. Considered the Athens of the Middle Ages, Florence was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and survived the Black Death to become a cornerstone for the world's fine arts.

Art and history students can thank Lorenzo de' Medici for commissioning works by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Botticelli. Considered one of the most famous statues in the world, Michelangelo's David is located in the Accademia dell'Arte del Disegno. Few cities can match Florence's structural beauty. From the spired dome of the Duomo, to the marble Fountain of Neptune in Piazza della Signoria, to the Ponte Vecchio, the only bridge not destroyed in WWII, architecture majors have plenty to admire.

This Renaissance town is also a world-class culinary center, specializing in both light and heavy Italian cuisine, Tuscan delicacies, and luscious desserts. Fresh fish, fresher olive oil and vinos perfettos are staples of the Florentine diet. When students are done sampling, they can enjoy the city's numerous shopping opportunities. People come from around the world to buy Florence's handcrafted silver and gold jewelry and, unlike Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles and the Champs-Élysée in Paris, the entire city is a shopper's paradise. Florence is also home to Salvatore Ferragamo, one of the oldest and most famous fashion houses not found in Milan. Future fashion designers should consider studying in Florence a beneficial step toward entering this competitive industry.

With its nearly perfect climate, friendly citizens, world-famous cuisine, and historic landmarks, Florence makes an ideal study abroad destination. Its famous buildings, artwork and history offer students the learning experience of a lifetime. Arrivederci!

Resources -

Università di Firenze : http://www.unifi.it/
Accademia di Belle Arti: http://www.accademia.firenze.it/
SACI Studio Art Centers International: http://www.saci-florence.org/
City of Florence: http://www.comune.fi.it/inglese/
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program: http://www.iie.org/gilman
National Security Education Program: http://www.iie.org/NSEP