Fall: Florence, Italy

Program Dates

• August 26 - September 5: Program starts at PCC 
• September 6: Group flight departs U.S. for Italy
• September 7: Group flight arrives in Florence, transfer to accommodations
• September 8: Orientation 
• September 9: Classes resume in Florence
• TBA: Fall Break
• November 30: End of program. Group flight departs Florence for the U.S.

Program Fees

$9,700 (airfare included)

Excludes airline taxes & PCC tuition. Based on a minimum enrollment of 20 students.

Program Fee Includes:

• Roundtrip airfare between Los Angeles (LAX) and Florence (FLR) international airports
• Roundtrip transfers in Florence between airport and student housing
• Accommodation in furnished, self-catering, apartments within the historic center of Florence
• Welcome & farewell Dinners
• Pre-departure & on-site orientation program
• Guided walking tour of Florence
• Guided visits to select historical sites and museums in Florence & Rome
• Full-day excursion to Siena & San Gimignano
• 3-day/2-night excursion to Rome
• Access to on-site Student Center and the services of experienced Student Advisors
• On-site faculty, student support staff, and 24-hour emergency contact service
• Medical insurance policy
• Liability insurance

Program fee does not include:

• Mandatory U.S. government and airline-imposed departure taxes, fees and fuel surcharges of $675 (subject to change)
• Optional meal plan ($495) consisting of 25 vouchers for use at select Florence restaurants
• Optional Extra Protection Insurance Coverage, including increased medical insurance ($65) 
• Optional trip interruption or cancellation insurance 
• Passport and visa fees, if applicable
• PCC course registration fees
• Textbooks
• Personal expenses

Item:	Fee:	Deadline:
Enrollment Deposit	$450.00	Due immediately upon acceptance into program
Remaining Balance of Fees	$9,250.00	July 12, 2024
Airline Taxes (estimate)	$675.00	July 12, 2024
Total	$10,375.00
Optional Components:	Fee:	Deadline:
Meal Plan	$495.00	Before departure
Extra Protection Insurance Coverage	$65.00	July 12, 2024
Trip Interruption or Cancellation Insurance	varies	Within 21 days after deposit is paid

All students must submit a $450 deposit upon acceptance into the program and when completing the online enrollment form.

Program fee payments, including the deposit, will be made directly to our partner American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS). Program fees will not be collected by the Pasadena City College Study Abroad Office or by program faculty.

Payments may be made by check or credit card. Checks should be payable to “AIFS”. American Express, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.

Please note: A $35 returned check fee will be charged on all checks returned by the bank for insufficient funds.  

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Group Airfare Package

The group airfare package includes round-trip airfare between LAX and FLR in economy/standard class, and round-trip transfers in Florence between the airport and student housing, on the regularly scheduled program dates. 

Participants wishing to purchase the airfare package (which is included in the program fee, excluding airline taxes) must select this option on the online enrollment form. AIFS cannot arrange airline tickets for students applying after June 13, 2024. Land-only packages, without airfare, may be offered to students accepted into the program after June 13, 2024. 

Tickets are exclusively on scheduled airlines (not charters). They are not endorsable to another carrier. Flights are not necessarily direct or non-stop, they cannot be rerouted, and frequent flyer miles are not applicable. No refunds are available for any unused portion of ticket. Once airline tickets have been issued to students, they can only be changed directly with the issuing agent - agent and airline-imposed penalties apply. 

A minimum of 10 participants is required for the group airfare package to be offered.

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AIFS Refund Policy

If a participant withdraws on or before Thursday, June 13, 2024, they will receive a refund for all fees paid less a $150 processing fee.  

If a participant withdraws after Thursday, June 13, 2024, but on or before Friday, July 12, 2024, they will receive a refund for all fees paid less the $450 deposit and any non-refundable deposits paid by the student or by AIFS on the student's behalf.

If a participant withdraws after Friday, July 12, 2024, they will receive no refund and the total program fee is due.

After the final payment deadline the full program fee is due to AIFS even if an individual has not yet paid and no longer plans to participate in the program.

Non-refundable financial commitments have been made to secure your spot. If a participants withdrawals once the program has begun, there is no refund.

This refund policy applies whether a participant pays AIFS Abroad directly for all, part, or no program fees. 

Course Offerings

Participants must enroll in 1 Italian language class + 2 non-language classes (minimum) from the following list:

Course No.	Course Name	Units
Select one language class:
ITAL 001, 002, 003, 004	Elementary & Intermediate Levels	5
Select a minimum of two:
ITAL 010	Italian Civilization	3
ITAL 050	Italian Film as Dramatic Literature	3
HIST 001A	History of European Civilization to 1715	3
HIST 002B	History of European Civilization From 1500	3
HIST 025F	America and the Two World Wars	3

* All non-language classes are taught in English
* All courses are CSU/UC transferable* Honors Program credit for those who qualify

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ITAL 001 through 004 Elementary or Intermediate Italian: The purpose of these courses is to enable students to develop skills in understanding and speaking everyday Italian in different common situations; to read and write with accuracy using correct grammatical points; to learn about Italy, its history and its culture. The language instruction is a central part of the students' experience in Florence, and learning the language is an integral part of exposing oneself to that culture. Language and culture are inextricably intertwined and at the end of the trip, students not only will have improved their knowledge of the Italian language, but they will also have acquired a greater appreciation for Italian culture There is no better way to learn a language than in the target country. In Florence the students will be able to practice every day what they learned so they will improve much faster.

ITAL 010 Italian Civilization: This course is an overview of history, politics, literature, and arts of Italy from the fall of the Roman Empire to present. We will look closely at the historical, political, and artistic evolution of Italian society, and explore the major contributions of Italians to the arts and world culture with a particular emphasis to the Renaissance period, being Florence the center of Renaissance. Upon successful completion of this course students will have acquired knowledge of Italian politics and institutions, of historical events and artistic movements, of major trends in the fields of music and art which will help explain present-day Italy. We would like our students studying in Florence to not only improve their knowledge of Italian language but also to acquire an in-depth knowledge of, and greater appreciation for Italian culture.

ITAL 050 Italian Film as Dramatic Literature: The purpose of this course is to acquaint students with Italian culture through the viewing and discussion of some of the most well-known and internationally acclaimed Italian films. The main changes in Italian society and the most important political and historical events have been “told” by the major Italian directors in their films. By watching the films, we will follow a path that will take us from fascist to contemporary cinema providing us with an outlook on Italian society then and today. This course will be particularly relevant to the Florence abroad program because through the medium of film the students will gain a deeper knowledge of Italian society, people, customs, and traditions.

HIST 001A History of European Civilization to 1715: The instructor's familiarity with Tuscany will drive the course content and utilize all the region’s resources to show how Florence influenced and was influenced by its centrality to Mediterranean trade routes from the Etruscan period to Roman times and beyond. The consumption and communication with foreign lands impacted the art, architecture, political, and social developments. As Tuscany and Florence emerged as the center of the Renaissance it dominated global trade and finance. Knowing the city and its resources will allow for the museums, architecture and resources, to demonstrate the rich historical connections outside of Europe. 

HIST 002B History of European Civilization From 1500: The traditional framing of the course coincides nicely with the emergence of Florence as a global center of commerce and trade. The course will allow for the exploration of Florence's role in the Renaissance while establishing and maintaining a global perspective through the modern period. This period of history is by far Florence’s greatest attraction to students. Museums such as the Uffizi, Academia, Santa Croce, the Bargello, etc. are walking textbooks for the developments of the period covered in this course. Florence’s centrality to the changing global economics will be central as the Conquest of the Americas will continue to transform the economic, political and social climate of Europe.  

HIST 025F America and the Two World Wars: This special topic course will cover European politics and nation building in the 19th century as a precursor to WWI. Italy’s unification will be covered in detail along with Florence’s role in this process. Important topics that will be covered are the consequences of the Treaty of Versailles, in particular issues of migration and the post-war economic crisis that will lead to the rise of fascism. WWII will have a more direct impact on the Florentine as much of the city will be affected by Axis bombing. The post war period will also see catastrophic natural disasters like the 1966 flood. Much of this course will deal with historical preservation and Italy’s decisions on how to rebuild many of its famous cities. This course will give students a glimpse to how Italy has been on the cutting edge of historic preservation efforts because of the rebuilding after the World Wars. 

Program Faculty

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Professor Rita D'Amico, languages 

Dr. Rita A. D’Amico is a Professor of Italian at Pasadena City College. She is a native Italian, born and raised in Milan. Rita received a Doctorate degree in Political Science with a major in International Relations from the University of Milan and a Ph.D. in Italian Literature from UCLA. She has taught a broad range of courses in contemporary Italian literature, culture, cinema, literature in translation and language at all levels. She is a specialist in nineteenth and twentieth century Italian Literature, and her teaching and research interests are also in Italian culture and cinema, pedagogy, and methodology in second language acquisition and instructional technology. She is the co-author of a textbook on Italian Civilization, and she is a member of several professional organizations.

Professor D’Amico has been teaching Italian at Pasadena City College since 2001. She has taken PCC students to Florence several times, and has had a memorable, mutually enriching experience with her students. She looks forward to sharing the artistic treasures of her native country with her students and to exposing them to the unique experience of “living” in the country, interacting with Italian people, and getting acquainted with Italian culture and society.

• Email: radamico@pasadena.edu
• Spring 2024 Office Hours 
  • Tues: 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm on Zoom
  • Wed: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm in C-149 
  • Thurs: 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm on Zoom
• Virtual office hours can be attended with this Zoom Meeting ID: 796 9592 800   

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Professor Eloy Zárate, history

Dr. Professor Zárate is Chair of the History Department. He holds a graduate degree from UC Riverside and is a certified online instructor. Professor Zárate is a board member of a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the playground sculptures of Benjamin Dominguez – a Mexican concrete artist. He was awarded a PCC Community Excellence Grant in 2023 to found the PCC Preservation Guild. This program introduces students to the process and careers of historical preservation.

Professor Zárate is an avid world traveler and firmly believes that Study Abroad is one of the most important experiences that students can have. Professor Zárate has led students on the Florence trip in 2003 and 2010. Professor Zárate designed his Study Abroad courses to incorporate how historical preservation techniques help tell the story of the rich culture and history of Florence and world in general. 

• Email: eizarate@pasadena.edu
• Appointments may be scheduled by email request.  

Meals & Accommodations

Accommodations in furnished, self-catering, apartments located within the historical center of Florence. You will stay in twin rooms with typically 4 to 6 PCC students sharing a two or three bedroom apartment. Apartments include kitchens for meal preparation, with cooking equipment, plates, glasses, and utensils. Laundry facilities are available on-site. Linens and free wireless internet are provided. 

If available, single rooms will be offered on a first-come first-serve basis for an additional supplement of $1950.

Optional Meal Plan:

A package of 25 meal vouchers for use at select Florence restaurants is available for an additional fee of $495.

Excursions & Activities

Orientation Program

• A series of pre-departure orientations covering topics such as "To Do" action items, banking, cell-phone options, adaptors, what to pack, airport security, customs & immigration, and more.
• On-site orientation upon arrival covering topics such as general acclimation to Florence, safety and security issues, cultural differences, travel, and cultural activities
• Local walking tour covering housing and classroom location and local amenities
• Sightseeing walking tour of Florence with a professional, English-speaking guide 

Local Activities

Guided visits to a number of historical sites and museums, including the Palazzo Vecchio, Duomo, Uffizi Galleries, Galleria Dell' Accademia, and more!

Additional activities will be available in Florence, either at no additional cost or for a subsidized fee. Activities may include a cooking class, opera, and soccer match. 

Excursions

SIENA & SAN GIMIGNANO

Guided day-trip to the enchanting Tuscan towns of Siena, famous for its Palio horse race, and San Gimignano, the medieval city of beautiful towers. Round-trip transportation and local guide included.

ROME (3 DAYS/ 2 NIGHTS)  

In Rome, there is visible evidence of the two great empires of the western world: the Roman Empire and the Christian Church. Home of the Roman Forum and the Coliseum, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican, history comes alive as you stroll through the piazzas of Italy’s ancient capital. Your time here will include a guided sightseeing tour, entrance to the Roman Forum and the Coliseum, and a guided tour of the Vatican museums. Round-trip transportation, twin-room hotel accommodations, and breakfast are included.

Independent Travel

Use your free weekends to travel around Italy and to Europe’s great cities. Local staff will assist you in choosing destinations and transportation. Student favorites include Rome, Venice, Milan, Paris, Amsterdam, Dublin and Berlin. The program will have a Fall Break in October. This is a great time to explore!

ITALIAN-AMERICAN SCHOLARSHIP
The Italian American Scholarship Fund provides awards and scholarships for the study of Italian to PCC students. To qualify for this scholarship, you must have completed an Italian language course at Pasadena City College. Qualified students are invited to apply to support their Florence program costs. $1,000 award.

Visit https://pasadena.academicworks.com/opportunities/4795 to learn more about the scholarship.

To begin your application, go to https://pasadena.academicworks.com/users/sign_in and log-in with your LancerPoint credentials.

Application Period: TBA

Financial Aid may be available to those who qualify. Grants, loans, and scholarships may be used to pay program fees.

Apply immediately. You should allow up to eight weeks for your financial aid request to be processed.

More About Financial Aid options at PCC