"I just want to thank Abbey Road for giving me the opportunity to learn and experience so much. I know this may sound a bit formal and cliché, but the Florence program was seriously unforgettable and THE BEST experience of my life." Farah, student - Boston, MA
"Thanks for giving Lauren such a wonderful opportunity... She blossomed in so many ways as a result of this program and returned so much more self-assured. I think the experience of living in an apartment and having to take care of it, and herself, was great preparation for college and independent living ... and proved to her that she is very ready to make that leap! I know she thoroughly enjoyed the academic aspects of the program and learned a lot. I know the excursions were a highlight of her trip ... and she now can't wait to go back to Florence again." Linda, parent - Los Altos, CA
Florence
ITALY
Pre-College Program: Art History, Studio Art
Program Overview
Town:
Florence (Tuscany)
Dates:
July 7 – August 5, 2008
Key Excursions:
Siena, San Giminignano, Viareggio, Cinque Terre
Overnight Travel:
Rome (included)
Focus:
Art History and Studio Art*
* Drawing, Oil Painting or Photography
Housing:
Apartment residence
Level:
Grades 9-12
Our summer pre-college program in Florence is designed for students completing grades 9-12. The program offers courses in Art History and Studio Art while providing an opportunity to immerse in the Florentine lifestyle and Italian culture. No prior background in Italian is required.
Abbey Road students and staff live together in a centrally located apartment complex in historic Florence. As a part of the pre-college component, Abbey Road students develop important skills to prepare for college years and experience personal growth. Students will learn how to live with a group of peers, share house responsibilities, and shop and cook together.
About Florence & Tuscany
Located in the heart of the beautiful Tuscany region, Florence is famous for the wealth of its artistic and cultural legacy, its spectacular landscapes, friendly and hospitable people, as well as its exquisite cuisine. For students passionate about art history, art and architecture, Florence is the ideal place for study – a living museum holding the world's greatest treasures from the Renaissance era. See Google's satellite map of Florence.
Academics
All students will participate in the Art History course held Monday through Friday for 2.5 hours per day. This course emphasizes experiential, hands-on learning outside the classroom. Students visit a wealth of museums, architectural monuments and art studios, surveying the art of Florence from the Classical to Baroque periods with a special emphasis on the Renaissance.
Students will then have the opportunity to choose one among four options for the afternoon class offered three days a week:
Drawing
Photography
Advanced Oil Painting
Students will also have the opportunity to take optional art-related workshops throughout the program. In addition, the Florence program will offer recreational, cultural, and social activities based on student interest.
Residence Housing
The students and staff live together in an apartment complex in the historical center of Florence. Students learn to share house responsibilities, shop for groceries in local markets, and prepare group meals using traditional Italian recipes.
Typically, students will share double rooms within an apartment of 4 to 8 students total. Female and male students will live in separate apartments, while the staff will live in the same complex, in an apartment of its own.
Daily Schedule
In the afternoons and evenings students will have numerous options for sports and recreation, concerts and movies, cultural excursions and workshops, as well as free time to explore Florence, shop, and enjoy the outdoor life and café culture of Italy.
We strive to maintain a balance between structured activities and free time. While we give our students this privilege, we expect them to adhere to the program rules and saf et y guidelines, especially the policies on alcohol and curfew, and generally to uphold our standards of responsibility, maturity, and respect.
Weekend Excursions
Students will visit the legendary sites of Tuscany, including Siena and San Gimignano, the Mediterranean beach town of Viareggio and the ancient Roman village of Fiesole . Students will also spend a day at the seaside towns of Cinque Terre where they can relax at the beach or take the famous pathway between the small villages for some of the most amazing views in all of Italy.
Additionally, the group will travel to Rome for three days. The ancient Roman Forum, the Colosseum and the Vatican are just some of the treasures of the Eternal City that the students will experience.
Cinque Terre: Fiesole: San Gimignano: Siena: Rome: Viareggio:
Program Fee & What's Included
Our program fee is all-inclusive: it includes airfare from New York to the program site, all travel extensions, trips and excursions, tuition, lodging and insurance, and much more. There are no hidden fees, extra costs or surprises. We encourage you to compare our program fee to other programs and see what they include.
The fee for the Florence program can be found here:
Now is the time to apply! There is currently availability on this program. Due to strong interest, however, we encourage serious students to apply soon.
If you would like to receive a brochure by mail, please complete the short online Preliminary Inquiry, and we will send one immediately.
If you are ready to apply now, click on the Online Application to get started.
For general questions about the application process, please visit our Application & Fees page.
If you have any special questions about the program or need assistance with the application process, please call us toll-free at (888) 462-2239 (from abroad (310) 276-1745) or email us at info@goabbeyroad.com.
