First Year Experience Abroad Florence
In this immersive 10-day journey, you will travel to the captivating city of Florence, Italy, where you will connect with your JU cohort to explore the breathtaking architecture, history, and culture. As part of the Fall 2025 semester, you will enroll in the JU 111 course, engaging with JU faculty to maximize your next four years of college. Once the semester wraps up, you will embark on your Florence adventure from December 1st to 10th, traveling alongside the same peers and professors to deepen your academic experience.
This program and course are designed to help make your first year at JU a smooth transition to success, as it mirrors the similarities with stepping into the college environment for the first time with that of traveling and living in a different culture.
This course is open to all majors, and fulfills JU鈥檚 Experiential Learning credit, a graduation requirement for all undergraduate students.
This program is great for students with strict course schedules (i.e., Aviation, Nursing) who are still interested in a study abroad experience.
Important Dates
Course Dates: August 18 - November 20, 2025
Travel Dates: December 1 - 10, 2025*
*subject to change
Application & Deposit Deadline: August 8, 2025
Final Payment Deadline: September 15, 2025
How to Apply
- Students must have their JU tuition deposit submitted before applying for this program.
- Click 'Apply Now' below to first create your Traveler Profile. Enter your JU email and create a password.
- Once logged in, click 'Explore Programs', and type JU First Year Experience Abroad in Florence in the search bar. Click 'Apply Now' on the program page and submit your application.
- Once accepted, you will need to submit a $500 non-refundable deposit to secure your spot.
- The deposit is deducted from the total program cost.
- .
- Click 'Make a Payment' in the 'Education Payments' quadrant.
- Select 'Florida', '麻豆传媒社区', 'Online Payments', and 'Study Abroad
Deposits' to proceed, shown here:
- More information on submitting payment to JU is available here.
On-Site Program Cost
$4,000 - $4,465 + airfare (subject to change, based on number of travelers)
*This price range is determined based on enrollment. The final on-site program cost will be determined after the application and deposit deadline has passed. The $500 deposit is deducted from the total on-site program cost. The program cost is in addition to the Fall 2025 JU tuition.
Once enrollment is confirmed for the 3 credit JU 111 course, the on-site program cost will be added to each student's JU account.
Included in On-Site Program Cost
- Airport Pick/Drop-Off
- In-country transportation (coach bus & public transportation)
- Welcome and Farewell Dinners
- Breakfast daily
- Shared accommodations in hotels
- Group excursions, activities, and entrance fees per itinerary
- 24-hour emergency support services
- On-site Program Coordinator for the duration of the program
- Emergency Medical & Accident insurance for each participant
- Gratuities to guides and bus drivers and/or similar
Excluded from On-Site Program Cost
- Roundtrip Airfare
- Students will receive specific instructions on arrival/departure.
Please do not book flights until you have received these details from Study Abroad & Away.
- Students will receive specific instructions on arrival/departure.
- Meals (unless otherwise specified on itinerary)
- Incidentals
Course
During the Fall Term, students will register for JU 111 401z for 3 credit hours. This class section meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 - 4:45pm. If you are already registered for a different section of the JU 111 course, please contact your academic advisor to enroll in the appropriate section.
This program fulfills JU鈥檚 Experiential Learning undergraduate requirement for graduation.
Standard JU tuition and fees for Fall 2025 apply for the JU 111 course.
(See JU Undergraduate Tuition & Costs)
This program is open to 15 first year students. Additional applicants will be placed
on a wait list.
Faculty Leaders
Tiffany Leach
Tiffany Leach is a Professor of Art, Chair of the Department of Visual Arts, and Director of the MFA in Visual Arts at 麻豆传媒社区. Professor Leach completed her BFA in visual arts with a concentration in ceramics at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and her MFA in visual arts from the University of Georgia. Professor Leach's sculptures address the social norms of contemporary society for women and the understanding of the human experience. She specializes in ceramic sculpture with figurative elements, that utilizes wheel thrown vessels as metaphorical references. As well as functional wares that address similar elements and themes. Her work has been exhibited, lectured, and collected at national and international venues. She is passionate about study abroad and an engaged learning experience at all levels. Her travel and love of adventure has led to time spent living abroad prior to teaching at JU, as well as a month-long artist residency in Rome, and most recently an artist residency in Skopelos, Greece. Professor Leach has taught study abroad programs in both Italy and Iceland and she has spent time traveling in Europe, South Africa, Canada, and Central America.
Jeremy Stalker
Dr. Jeremy Stalker is an Assistant Professor of Marine Science. He received his B.S. at Michigan State University; his M.S. at the University of Montana; and his Ph.D. at Florida International University. His research interest and areas of specialization include: Hydrology, Stable Isotope, Ionic and Nutrient Geochemistry, Coastal Oceanography, Geophysics, and Forensics. Dr. Stalker is also a passionate advocate of education abroad and the valuable experience it provides for students and faculty. He spent his youth traveling abroad with his parents and continues to honor the family legacy of international education by leading programs abroad with JU students.
Tentative Program Itinerary
- Sunday, Nov 30 - Depart the US for Florence, Italy
- Board overnight flight
- Board overnight flight
- Monday, Dec 1 - Arrive at Florence Airport (FLR)
- Walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo or San Miniato al Monte for panoramic and sunset views over the city!
- Group welcome dinner
- Meals Included: -/-/D
- Tuesday Dec 2
- Explore the city center on a Florence guided walking tour and discover the magnificence of one of the most fascinating cities in the world, and its centuries-old heritage, with an enjoyable relaxed promenade in the footsteps of the Medici dynasty, that ruled the city in the 14th and 15th centuries.
- Walk to Piazza Santa Croce to admire the Basilica of Santa Croce. Inside, explore the tombs of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo and more on a self-guided visit.
- Meals Included: B/-/-
- Wednesday Dec 3 -
- Spend the day exploring the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore - the Duomo of Florence. Enjoy self-guided visits to the Baptistery of San Giovanni, Giotto's Bell Tower, Brunelleschi's Dome, the Opera del Duomo Museum and the ancient basilica of Santa Reparata
- Meals Included: B/-/-
- Thursday Dec 4 - Day trip to Bologna
- Escape Florence for the day to the beautiful Italian countryside of Bologna, a city known as a culinary hub of Italy, famous for its rich pasta dishes, the world鈥檚 oldest university and lively food markets! Upon arriving into Bologna, joining for a guided tour of a Parmigiano Reggiano factory, where you鈥檒l learn and taste this delectable Italian cheese and its importance to Italy.
- Later, explore Bologna on your own. Be sure to stop at the Piazza Maggiore Food Market (and try the mortadella and tortellini!) and a stroll through the Jewish Ghetto before returning to Florence.
- Meals Included: B/-/-
- Friday Dec 5 -
- Enjoy a self-guided visit of the Accademia Gallery, renowned for housing Michelangelo鈥檚 iconic statue of David and many other exhibits of notable artwork from the Renaissance period.
- Following your visit the Accademia Gallery, head to the Uffizi Gallery, and explore this vast gallery at your leisure.
- Meals Included: B/-/-
- Saturday Dec 6 - Day trip to Rome
- Journey to Rome for the day, the vibrant and historic city known for its ruins, art, architecture and the former capital of the Roman Empire!
- Spend the day in Vatican City, the famous microstate enclaved within the city of Rome and seat of the Catholic Church; explore St. Peter鈥檚 Square before continuing on to visit the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica for a self-guided visit (audio tour included for the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel).
- Free afternoon to explore on your own before returning to Florence
- Meals Included: B/-/-
- Sunday Dec 7 -
- Explore Pitti Palace, which served as the Grand Ducal residence for Cosimo de Medici and Boboli Gardens at your leisure, home to centuries-old oak trees, sculptures, and fountains which inspired many royal gardens around Europe.
- Meals Included: B/-/-
- Monday Dec 8 -
- Guided visit to Circular Farm and learn about this unique and innovative farm that collects coffee grounds from local cafes and uses them to fuel their socially responsible business.
- Participate in an Italian cooking class at Florence University of the Arts cooking school, Apicius. Sample cooking menu includes: Tagliatelle with tomato and basil, ravioli with spinach and ricotta served with butter sage and parmigiano reggiano, and cavatelli with zucchini and sausage ragu.
- Meals Included: B/L/-
- Tuesday Dec 9 -
- Free morning
- Spend the afternoon at Fattoria di Maiano in Fiesole, including a tour of the olive mill where you鈥檒l learn about the production of olive oil. Enjoy your group farewell dinner at their restaurant Lo Spaccio.
- Meals Included: B/-/D
- Wednesday Dec 10-
-
Check out of hotel, group transfer via private transportation to Florence airport (FLR)
for return flight home
- Meals Included: B/-/-
-