GONZAGA-IN-
FLORENCE STUDY ABROAD IN ITALY
1 CINQUE TERRE, ITALY
FLORENCE FACTS Italian name: Firenze Population: Approximately 370,000 Number of students in the program per semester: 175 Average Winter temperature: 55° F Average Summer temperature: 81° F According to UNESCO, almost a third of the world’s art treasures reside in Florence
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WHY STUDY IN FLORENCE? Challenge your thinking. Expand your global perspective. Create lifelong and life-changing memories. Study abroad with Gonzaga-in-Florence and be inspired by the people, cultures, languages, and history you’ll discover—in Florence and beyond.
Italy is much more than a boot-shaped peninsula in the Mediterranean. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime if you’re thirsting to better understand our world and engage with it as a global citizen. What began in 1963 as a small program, designed to immerse students in Italian and European life and culture, now educates hundreds of students each year. Gonzaga University’s Gonzaga-in-Florence (GIF) program provides an opportunity to learn and to live in a city that has played a central role in Italian history and in European civilization itself. A stalwart defender of civic liberty during the Renaissance, the intensely loyal citizenry of Florence produced the ideas that served as models for Europe as it transitioned from medieval to modern. Its museums are brimming with paintings that transformed European taste in the fifteenth century and its streets are lined with buildings that initiated modern architecture. And yet, the city is much more than museum pieces; it’s intensely alive, and remains a center of modern art, fashion, and refinement.
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Florence instantly felt like home, thanks to the entire GIF faculty & staff. There are no other study abroad programs like it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. – Via Hersholt, GIF alum
Florence, the capital city of the Tuscany region, is also central in Italy’s geography. Florence is:
» Three hours by train to the region of Lombardy, the center of
Italy’s economic engine and a stepping-off place for the ski slopes and lakes of the Alps.
» Three hours to Venice, a city so spectacular photographs don’t do it justice.
» Two hours to Rome, the capital of Italy and of the Catholic Church,
where ancient, medieval, and modern culture mingle on every street.
» Four hours to Naples, Pompeii, and Mount Vesuvius, the southern region of Italy no scholar or traveler would want to miss.
Add legendary and picturesque Italian cities like Milan, Bologna, Genoa, Urbino, Ravenna, Siena, Assisi, and San Gimignano and you’ll see why Italy provides a perfect setting for your study abroad experience. Against this backdrop, Gonzaga-in-Florence offers a core of historical, business, cultural, engineering and sociological studies wrapped in a rich Italian experience that will give you an appreciation for its past, present, and future.
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CAMPUS With Gonzaga-in-Florence, you’ll be immersed in Italian life, gaining insight into the social political, and economic forces that shape Italy while also learning to adapt and embrace new cultures. You’ll also develop friendships that will last a lifetime. Our campus is located in the center of the city, not far from the Duomo cathedral, and looks onto the Giardino dei Semplici, a sixteenth century garden created by the Medici family. It’s a few short steps from Fra Angelico’s frescoes, painted for the San Marco monastery, and minutes from Michelangelo’s David in the Galeria dell’Academia. Housed in the Mozilo Center, the Gonzaga-in-Florence campus provides students with all the facilities required for learning and socializing. The campus is equipped with wi-fi and computers that students can use for coursework or to stay in touch with friends and family. The Martin Library’s extensive collection contains over ten thousand volumes and access to the vast resources of Gonzaga University’s Foley Library (located on our main campus in Spokane, Washington), is also available. A student lounge and small fitness room are located on the lower level of the Center. Many opportunities for the cultivation of spiritual and religious life are provided as well. Florence is an international city where people of all faiths live and pray, and many denominations provide religious services in English.
Gonzaga-in-Florence was an experience I will always cherish. The staff was phenomenal. From simple train instructions to making me less homesick, the staff were engaged and truly added to the experience. – Nicole Soroka, GIF alum
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ACADEMICS Gonzaga-in-Florence offers courses designed to challenge you and enhance your study abroad experience. You will link classroom lectures to the sights and sounds you encounter, expanding your mind as well as your horizons.
In keeping with our Jesuit ethos, where a spirit of inquiry and intellectual life flourish, our faculty and staff are committed to academic excellence in offering liberal arts, business, teacher education, and engineering curricula. Faculty will challenge you to think critically and develop global awareness by taking full advantage of the unique environment that Florence and its surrounding region provides. Gonzaga-in-Florence maintains the same high academic standards of Gonzaga University, which consistently ranks among the top Regional Universities in the West.*
ACADEMIC ADVISORS
Students should begin discussion with their academic advisors about Gonzaga-in-Florence courses early in their academic career to help clarify how they relate to graduation requirements. Academic advisors are an important resource in exploring how study abroad fits into a student’s academic plan.
ACADEMIC TRACKS
Gonzaga-in-Florence offers several academic tracks to help students stay synchronized with core and major requirements while studying abroad. For more information on each track, review the course listing available on our website: gonzagainflorence.org. *No. 4 best “Regional University” in the West, U.S. News & World Report college rankings, 2013.
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» Choose from full-year, semester (fall or spring), and summer terms
COURSES
» Classes are held Monday through Thursday
While specific GIF course offerings change regularly, with careful planning you can typically select courses that will fulfill degree requirements and keep you on track toward earning your diploma. Courses are offered in the following areas of study:
» All courses are taught in English » Interdisciplinary plenary sessions bring all students together
TRACK HIGHLIGHTS SPRING ENGINEERING TRACK
This track allows sophomore students to take basic engineering courses designed to fit into existing curriculum requirements. The unique study abroad experience offers engineering students insight into the past, present, and future of engineering through an Italian lens.
SPRING TEACHER ED. TRACK
Sophomores and juniors seeking teacher certification through the School of Education now have the opportunity to study in Florence. Core courses, including an in-school field experience, meet certification curriculum requirements and are offered by faculty with teacher education training and experience. This track gives students awareness of and insight into global issues that will enhance their teaching.
» Art » Business » Communication Arts » Economics » Engineering » English » Environmental Studies » History » International Studies » Italian Studies » Mathematics » Music » Philosophy » Political Science » Psychology » Religious Studies » Sociology » Sport & Phys. Ed. » Teacher Ed. Up-to-date, term-specific course schedules, descriptions, and syllabi are available at gonzagainflorence.org.
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TRACK HIGHLIGHTS CONTINUED... FALL & SPRING RENAISSANCE CERTIFICATE TRACK
The Renaissance Certificate Track is an integrated series of courses focused principally on the historial period that distinguishes Florence as one of the major cultural centers of the world, and the reason why it is considered part of the patrimony of humanity by UNESCO. The Renaissance Track is intended for year students who seek, by means of a coherent interdisciplinary curriculum, an intensive exposure to this period and its foundations and, thereby, to realize in a unique way the goals of liberal learning in the Jesuit tradition. To complete the track and receive a certificate, the student must complete four courses each semester. Italian is required as one of the courses.
SCHOLARSHIPS & FINANCIAL AID While costs are always an important consideration in educational decisions, all too often students dismiss the idea of studying abroad because they assume that they can’t afford it. We work hard to keep program costs as affordable as possible while still providing students an exceptional experience. Thanks to the generosity of the Gonzaga-in-Florence program’s donors and alumni, several scholarships are available for students who want to study in Florence. Scholarship eligibility is determined based upon the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) established when students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Then, after students are accepted into the Gonzaga-in-Florence program, Gonzaga’s Financial Aid Office will send eligible students an email with an invitation to apply for the scholarships. If you have any questions about program costs or financial aid options for the Gonzaga-in-Florence program, please contact our office.
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ROOM & BOARD HOMESTAY OPTIONS The homestay option provides the most immersive study abroad experience by placing students with Italian host families. Gonzagain-Florence alumni routinely say that if students want to immerse themselves in Italian culture and truly learn the language, they should apply for the homestay option. There are options for placement with families who speak only Italian or those who speak both Italian and English.
Living with a family while in Florence is the best way of having an authentic Italian experience; you truly get the best of both worlds. When living in a homestay, you aren’t disconnected from the rest of the Gonzaga-in-Florence community. Rather, you have a perfect balance between spending time with friends in the program and becoming a member of a real Florentine family. This experience allowed me to immerse myself in the Italian culture in a way that would not have been possible otherwise. At the end of the day, I wasn’t coming back to my dorm room; I was coming back to a family who truly cared about how my day went. I strongly encourage students to consider doing homestay. Not only will you eat the best Italian homecooked food you’ve ever had, you’ll also learn real-life cultural values that you’ll only get from living under an Italian roof. It will be the most rewarding experience of your European adventure! – Shane E. Wing, GIF alumna
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I really enjoyed working in the soup kitchen. I was completely out of my comfort zone, but I love that it made me so much more aware of the culture and helped me with my Italian. – Clare Chambers, GIF alum
PENSIONI Many year and semester students choose to live in pensioni, Italian boarding hotels located close to our campus in the heart of Florence. The Italian staff who run the pensioni will provide you with good food, safe living conditions, and other support. These living arrangements will help you learn the language and better understand Italian culture. Pensioni that host Gonzaga-in-Florence students are carefully screened and most have hosted our students for many years. Each pensioni generally accommodates anywhere from twelve to thirty students. Room options include double, triple, and quad. All pensioni are co-ed, but rooms are gender specific.
MEAL PLANS Since the majority of students usually travel during the three-day weekends, the weekly meal plan (included in the program cost) consists of:
» seven breakfasts » four midday meals » three dinners 12
LIFE IN FLORENCE Enrich your study abroad experience by engaging in any number of cultural, civic, athletic, and linguistic activities. You’ll have opportunities to embrace all types of new visual, musical, and gastronomic delights while continuing to develop your total self. In addition to our faculty and administrative staff, we employ full-time Student Life staff committed to making your study abroad experience rich and meaningful. Our staff will help you make the most of your time in Florence by facilitating cultural activities, providing access to resources, and promoting social, emotional, and physical well-being and growth. For example, you can participate in cooking classes, community service programs, Toastmasters, yoga classes, internships, resume reviews, join Forza (Gonzaga-in-Florence’s leadership and ambassador group), and much more. You’ll also be able to attend the opera, have dinner with an Italian family, and explore intriguing destinations on sponsored weekend trips. Our staff can help arrange all of this as well as assist students with any issues abroad, such as culture shock, homesickness, medical issues, or other emergencies.
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THE DAILY
CIAO
Stay informed with The Daily Ciao email. Published every Monday through Thursday, “the Ciao” includes information on cultural and linguistic events, student discounts, local events, weekend trips, tips for adjusting to the Florentine and Italian way of life, and much more. It’s a great way to know what’s happening in Florence, both on the GIF campus and out in the city.
Having an Italian conversation partner was an incredibly valuable experience. It helped me dive right into the language and culture. It was great to get to know someone from Italy in an informal setting and we became great friends. – Andrew Chirhart, GIF alum
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BEYOND THE CLASSROOM INTERNSHIPS
If you’re interested in non-credit internship experiences you can work with the Student Life staff to find a placement in a local business or nonprofit organization.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Many options for engaging in rewarding service efforts in the Florentine community will be available during your Gonzaga-inFlorence experience, including:
» Volunteering at Casa Famiglia, a halfway house where you’ll work directly with children in need.
» Serving in a local soup kitchen close to the GIF campus. » Assisting in English classes in an Italian public elementary school. CONVERSATION PARTNER PROGRAM
Improve your Italian by practicing with a native speaker. This program matches you with students from the University of Florence for weekly conversation sessions – a great opportunity to learn to speak “real” Italian. Any GIF student, regardless of his or her level of Italian, is welcome to participate and will benefit from this experience.
CULTURAL AND CIVIC ACTIVITIES
Enjoy concerts, ballets and operas with world-class performers at some of Florence’s most prestigious theaters such as the magnificent 18th century Teatro della Pergola or enhance your cooking skills with classes on Italian cuisine. Whatever you do take part in the many opportunities Florence offers to experience its cultural heritage.
GUEST LECTURERS
Well-regarded speakers are invited by GIF to share their expertise in areas related to courses or international topics of interest. 15
The English for Pasta program helped me improve my Italian, understand Italian culture, and make friends with Florentines. It has shaped my time in Florence and changed me as a person. – Erin Tobin, GIF alum
ENGLISH FOR PASTA PROGRAM
Visit an Italian family once a week to teach English to children between the ages of 6 and 15, then enjoy a delicious home-cooked dinner with them afterward. During the dinner, you’ll get to practice your Italian in a fun family setting.
ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES
There are many opportunities to participate in athletics while in Florence, whether at the competitive level or just for fun. You can meet up with local Italian students by forming a basketball team or exercise your mind and body in a yoga class, and articipate in local and regional running events. Or join our men’s and women’s GIF soccer teams, which compete against other American and Italian teams. These are just a few of the many options for athletic movement in Florence. 16
ADMISSIONS Gonzaga-in-Florence is open to all undergraduate students who meet the program requirements and are matriculating at a four-year U.S. college or university. Students interested in applying to Gonzaga-in-Florence are encouraged to apply early, as space is limited. The application process may close early if the program capacity is reached before the program deadline. Late applications will be considered based on space availability and visa requirements. Take the first step toward making your Gonzaga-in-Florence study abroad experience a reality today! For a complete list of Admissions requirements, deadlines, and to fill our your application visit gonzagainflorence.org.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
1-800-440-5391 | studyabroad@gonzaga.edu gonzagainflorence.org
The Italian-American basketball tournament was a great way to meet not only Italians my age, but also other American students who were studying at other schools in Florence. – Drew Hoffman, GIF alum
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502 E BOONE AVE | SPOKANE, WA 99258-0085 (509) 313-3549 | STUDYABROAD@GONZAGA.EDU
GONZAGAINFLORENCE.ORG