FLORENCE, italy

Food and Wine in International Business - Florence

Program Description

Program Dates and Deadlines:
Term	Year	Application Deadline (or as space permits)	Start Date/Check-in	End Date/Check-out
Summer	2027	March 1, 2027	May 16, 2027	June 4, 2027

Program fee payment deadline: See details below in program cost section. Program fees cannot be deferred. Plan accordingly. 

Contact a program leader for information on the academic course offerings and program itinerary. The individuals listed below will be leading the program in Italy.	For information on the study abroad application, contact Education Abroad listed below.
Primary Faculty Leader: Joseph Patton, jpatton6@fau.edu	Email: goabroad@fau.edu
	Phone number: 561-297-1208

 

Location - Florence May 16 - May 31 and bologna may 31 - june 4

Florence, the capital of Italy's Tuscany region, stands as one of the world's greatest testaments to human creativity and ambition. Known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence shaped the course of Western art, architecture, and thought in ways still felt today. The city's historic center — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — is a living museum, where Gothic cathedrals, medieval piazzas, and palatial galleries coexist alongside a thriving contemporary culture. Florence is equally celebrated for its contributions to global commerce and luxury, having given the world iconic fashion houses, world-class leather craftsmanship, and a culinary tradition rooted in the simple, bold flavors of Tuscan cuisine.

Bologna, the capital of Italy's Emilia-Romagna region, beautifully balances the charm of its medieval past with the vibrancy of a modern cultural hub. Known as La Dotta, La Grassa, e La Rossa (The Learned, The Fat, and The Red), Bologna is home to the oldest university in the Western world—the University of Bologna— which has earned the city a global reputation for academic excellence and innovation. "La Grassa" reflects its rich culinary heritage, offering some of Italy’s most celebrated dishes like fresh pasta, ragu, and cured meats. As students explore the city’s distinctive portico-lined streets, they’ll encounter striking examples of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, bustling markets, and countless cafés and trattorias that embody the essence of Italian daily life.

Housing

Students participating in the first portion of the program will be housed at YUGO - La Santa, a modern student residence located in the heart of Florence. The residence offers a comfortable, secure, and convinient home base while you explore the city, attend classes, and engage in industry visits

Students participating in the second portion of the program will be at The Social Hub in Bologna, Italy. Situated in a secure and central location, The Social Hub provides a dynamic community atmosphere that supports both academic pursuits and social interaction. Each room is furnished with modern amenities, including high-speed Wi-Fi, study spaces, communal kitchens, and laundry facilities. Utilities are included, ensuring a comfortable and hassle-free stay.

Money Matters

 

Program Cost

$5,898.00 program fee + tuition for the required program summer course(s). FAU in-state or out-of-state rates apply. 

Program fee payment deadlines: 
 1ST PAYMENT:       $1,966.00 within 10 days of application acceptance or by February 1 (whichever comes first)
 2ND PAYMENT:     $1,966.00 within 60 days of application acceptance or by February 15 (whichever comes first)                                                                                               3RD PAYMENT:      $1,966.00 final balance due by March 1

Note: program fee payments cannot be deferred. Accepted participants will receive detailed payment instructions from the Education Abroad team via email prior to each payment deadline. 

Program Fee Includes:

• Accommodations from check-in through check-out date
• International medical insurance
• Airport pick-up in Florence and on-site orientation
• Group welcome lunch
• Farewell Event
• Weekly activities such as pasta-making class, walking tours of Florence and Bologna, gelato special, and Bologna Market Tour
• Excursions to olive oil factories and San Luca
• Guest speakers and academic site visits
• Classroom space in Florence and Bologna

Activities and excursions are subject to change by faculty leader or program provider/vendor if needed. All efforts would be made to provide a replacement activity or excursion.

Program Fee Does Not Include :

• $200 administrative fee paid at time of application submission
• International flight
• Tuition for courses/credits taken on program (FAU in-state and out-of-state rates apply)
• Personal meals outside group meals (such as at restaurants and grocery shopping)
• Personal spending money

Travel Documentation, HEALTH AND SAFETY

Passport and Travel Documentation

• A valid passport is required for all international travel. You need a passport to board an international flight and to enter the country. Passport cards will not be accepted as form of I.D. You may be denied boarding if you travel with a passport that appears damaged or altered.
• Review up-to-date details HERE. Routine processing times can take 6-8 weeks, and expedited applications in 2-3 weeks. Processing times does not include the time it takes for shipping. Processing times begin when your application is received by a passport agency or center, and do not include mailing times. It may take up to 2 weeks for your application to be received by passport agency, and up to 2 weeks for you to receive your completed passport after agency mails it to you. Therefore, you should add an additional 4 weeks to you passport application processing time.
• Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met. Check the Country Information to learn about entry and exit requirements for the country or countries in which you are traveling.  
• If you are applying for a passport for the first time, you need to renew your passport, or you have any other passport questions, you can find information on the Travel.State.Gov website. In addition, several U.S. Embassies and Consulates provide information to assist applicants in collecting the documentation needed. For a list of Embassies, please visit U.S. Embassy.gov.
• Non-U.S. Citizens may need additional travel documentation. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you should research the study abroad program destination and your home country to determine if a visa or additional travel documentation is required. 

International Health Insurance

All FAU students participating on an FAU Faculty-led Program will be registered in international health and travel insurance coverage through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). This mandatory insurance ensures that students have access to medical and emergency support services while abroad. This is included in the program cost. The 2027 Coverage plan will be available in January 2027. Participants can review the current 2026 plan HERE for reference.

Health and Safety Resources to Explore Prior to Traveling Abroad

• U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory – Country Information:  Travel Advisories (state.gov)
• U.S. Students Abroad -  Travelers with Special Considerations
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• FAU SHS:  https://www.fau.edu/shs/
• World Health Organization (WHO):  https://www.who.int/

Pre-departure Orientation and Meetings

All students must attend pre-departure sessions prior to study abroad. Education Abroad and your program faculty leaders will provide you with further details pertaining to dates, times, and location in the semester before your program. 

1) Mandatory pre-departure orientation hosted by the Education Abroad office. This session will cover general international travel related topics such as health, safety, insurance, and travel tips. 
2) Mandatory pre-departure meeting hosted by program faculty leader. This session will cover program and location specific information such as arrival, expectations, itinerary, and course overview.