The European University Institute (EUI) in Florence (Italy) is an international undergraduate,…read morepostgraduate and post-doctoral teaching and research institute established by European Union member states to contribute to cultural and scientific development in the social sciences, in a European perspective. Great academic environment for researchers with lots of support services, excellent library. The setting is beautiful. There is cultural and linguistic diversity from across Europe

David! Even with the…read moredaunting line outside waiting to get inside, I figured I'd give it a go and wait, which turned out to be the very best idea. It was a holiday in Italy and the entrance fee was waived as a result so the line to go in moved quicker. An incredible imposing Michelangelo piece of work awaits your view once you get in, the level of skill required, the sheer size of David was amazing. I didn't think I would have been able to see the main attraction David on my trip. Given I was in Florence for a very short time and there were plenty of other sites to see, I came, I saw, and I left.

A wonderful museum that offers the chance to see the Statue of David. I recommend going early to…read moreavoid the crowd. The outside is a little confusing when it comes to which entrance to go to as people are just standing all over the place and the signs aren't very clear until you get close to them. Definitely worth visiting and it's right by the river and a lovely area to wonder around.

Study abroad students: read this. AI has an incredibly unhelpful & unreliable staff. Thankfully I…read morewent through Arcadia University's program, who had staff who was easy to contact & helped with any sort of issue. The AI staff doesn't pay much attention to study abroad students. We sign up for classes when we got to the program in Florence, and a lot of the classes they told our home universities they offered, they didn't actually offer. I would choose this program carefully. The apartments this program rents aren't very nice, or close to each other. My friends had bed bugs, and the program left it up to them to figure it out (after they put 4 people in a 1 bedroom apartment). But if you're the kind of person who wants a totally independent study abroad experience, with no attachment to your school, and want to be able to miss your classes that meet once a week up to 4 times, go for it. Study abroad classes are 3 hours long, once a wee -- if you're taking Italian, that class meets Monday-Thursday for 2 hours each day. Do not go on the study abroad trips they offer, unless it's a short day trip -- you won't wanna stay in the hotels they pick.

A beautiful location on the banks of the Arno River. This international institute for fashion…read moredesign and marketing is owned by the Ferragamo family. It sits right next to the American embassy and has lovely architecture. A woman I met suggested I take a peek since I was interested in learning about fashion here in Firenze. There are two buildings in the Villa. The one with the information and administrative offices has gorgeous murals and decorative walls; even a hall of mirrors! Incredible tiny green park and a terrace space for the students to relax in. This is certainly an inspiring place to be exposed to fashion design. An international student body makes for varied perspective on designing fashion. Got some information to share with others back home. Nice to have seen the interior with the ornate classrooms and beautiful setting.

In the interest of full disclosure, I've taught here on and off since 1990 and know the director as…read morea friend. This is a very different and interesting learning environment. It started as a noncredit workshop for printmaking and over the years has grown to include painting, fashion, design and photography (my field). Classes in the summer usually run a month and there are options for language classes as well. Most of the students are Americans but the staff is mostly Italians and are top notch. The people who run the place are excellent and a great resource to help you make the most of your time in Florence. My university sub-contracts space from SRISA and its an excellent facility as well as having an on site gallery. If your interested in a summer, spring or fall class in the visual arts, this is a terrific place to start looking.

From the owner: Over the past 45 years, Santa Reparata International School of Art (SRISA) has become one of the…read moretop art and design schools in Italy. SRISA offers accredited programs of study including academic year, semester, and summer study abroad; Post-Baccalaureate Certificates; and internships. Courses are taught in the English language. Additionally, SRISA hosts a multitude of Faculty-Led and Customized programs throughout the year.