DR. MERRICK'S WEBSITE FOR THE USF STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM in FLORENCE, ITALY

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA in FLORENCE!

This is Dr. Merrick’s website for Florence Summer 2014. The official USF site for Florence 2014 is:

http://educationabroad.global.usf.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=22548

LONDON/PARIS: If you are interested in Dr. Merrick’s 2014 London/Paris Program (May 1-11 ), go to: http://drmerrickstudyabroad.blogspot.com/

If you are interested in Italy, stay on this webpage and KEEP ON READING!

CHECK OUT OUR PREVIOUS ITALIAN ADVENTURES!

COPY/PASTE THESE TOTALLY COOL 2-MINUTE VIDEOS MADE BY FORMER STUDENTS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PPZNwskt3c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kmd965_oyjY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wWwelfnwVA

If you are interested in following our 2011 Italian adventure, go to our trip diary at:

drmerrickstudyabroaditaly2011.blogspot.com/

Each section of this webpage is numbered as follows:

1: CONTACT DR. MERRICK

2: PARTNERS IN EDUCATION
USF and PALAZZI

3: LOCATION – USF in FLORENCE

4: DATES FOR SUMMER SCHOOL

5: STUDENT ELIGIBILITY

6: LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

7: COURSES

8: HOUSING

9: CAMPUS FACILITIES

10: EXCURSIONS

11: FEES, DEADLINES and
PAYMENT INFORMATION

12: FINANCIAL AID, SCHOLARHIPS
AND LOANS

13: APPLICATION FORMS

14: PASSPORT INFORMATION

15: COMMENTS--FORMER STUDENTS
16: PHOTOS AND VIDEOS

1: CONTACT DR. MERRICK:

This webpage is sponsored by Dr. Janna Merrick, Director, USF in Florence.

Please email or call if you have any questions. Dr. Merrick is more than happy to meet with you individually or in small groups to answer questions.

Email: merrick@usf.edu
Cell: 941 224 3805

2: PARTNERS IN EDUCATION—USF and PALAZZI

USF partners with Florence University of the Arts to provide summer school for USF students. We generally refer to Florence University of the Arts as “Palazzi” because the university is housed in Renaissance palaces in the historic center of Florence. Palazzi also partners with other universities throughout the U.S. so you will meet many other Americans studying abroad.

EDUCATION ABROAD WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

3: LOCATION for USF in FLORENCE

Florence is located in northern Italy in the heart of the hills of Tuscany. As noted above, Palazzi classrooms and offices are located in a group of Renaissance palaces in the historic district next to the Basilica of Santa Croce. The major sites of Florence—the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Academia, etc.—are each within a 10-minute walk from the campus, as is the rail station connecting Florence to other Italian and European cities, to major airports, and to the rest of the world!

For more detailed information on Florence and its rich history, go to the official USF website:

http://educationabroad.global.usf.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=22548

4: DATES FOR SUMMER SCHOOL in Florence 2014

Summer A: May 18 to June 28, 2014
Summer B: June 29 to August 9, 2014

YOU CAN SIT IN A CLASSROOM AT USF TAMPA OR YOU CAN MAKE ITALY YOUR CLASSROOM!

5: STUDENT ELIGIBILITY for Florence Summer 2014

Students from all majors are welcome on the Florence program, but SPACE IS LIMITED. Students will be selected in the order in which they pay their deposits. See Section 11 "Fees, Deadlines and Payment Information" for deposit information. Students from other colleges and universities and non-students who are interested in an academic experience, are also accepted pending space.

6: LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS for Florence Summer 2014

There are no language requirements. All courses (except for Italian language courses) and all tours are conducted in English.

7: COURSES for Florence Summer 2014

TYPES OF COURSES: USF in Florence will offer courses covering a wide range of fields including: fashion, photography, fine arts, art history, opera, Italian language (all levels), European/Italian history, sociology, political science, criminal justice, psychology, hospitality management, business administration, and more.

Some courses are taught by Palazzi faculty and some by USF faculty residing in Florence for the summer. All courses will have a USF course number so there are no issues with transferring credits. The credits you earn at Palazzi are the same as the credits you earn at any other USF campus.

Check back on December 1 to see the list of Summer A and Summer B courses.

8: HOUSING for Florence Summer 2014

USF and Palazzi have leased a group of apartments in the historic center of Florence. Each is within a 20-minute walk from the campus. Your roommates will be other USF students. Each apartment has a full kitchen and a clothes washer.

9: CAMPUS FACILITIES

CAFETERIA: Palazzi is also home to an internationally recognized chef's school, and fortunately for the rest of us, they run the cafeteria!

WEIGHT ROOM: The weight room is located in the basement of one of the classroom buildings!

WIFI: All campus buildings are fully equipped with WIFI. Apartments may or may not have WIFI capability. You can also purchase a USB WIFI "key" that will give you hours and hours of Internet service throughout Italy.

COMPUTER LABS: Palazzi has brand new, state-of-the-art computer labs (Macs).

INTERNET CHALLENGES: Please note that Florence has a reputation city-wide for slow Internet service.

10: EXCURSIONS for Florence Summer 2014

Included in your program free are visits to Venice (2 days/1 night) and Rome (3 days/2nights). Go to the official USF website for more details:

http://educationabroad.global.usf.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=22548

11: FEES for Florence Summer 2014

Session A: $4,375 (approximate)

Session B: $4,375 (approximate)

Session C: $8,280 (approximate)
(Session C is a designation indicating that a student is taking both Session A and Session B)

Program Fees Include:

• Tuition (number of credit hours to be determined)

• Housing

• Resident permit

• Housing orientation, guided walking tour of Florence

• Session A: 3 days and 2 nights in Rome, plus 2 days and overnight in Venice

• Session B: 3 days and 2 nights in Rome, plus 2 days and overnight in Venice

• Welcome Dinner and Farewell Banquet

• On-site program administration/oversight by host institution and USF Director

• Access to computer lab and school library

Program Fees Do Not Include

• Airfare

• Passport, and visa fee if applicable. (Students traveling on a U.S. passport do not need a visa.)

• Meals

• Personal spending, independent travel expenses

Scroll to “13: Apply Online” for details on how to submit your application.

12: FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS for Florence Summer 2012

**FINANCIAL AID:

Summer credits earned in Florence count the same as summer credits earned on the USF campus in Tampa. Generally speaking, financial aid that applies to on-campus summer school courses will apply to USF courses offered in Florence.

For more information on financial aid for education abroad, contact either Jim Pulos in the Education Abroad Office (Email: jpulos@iac.usf.edu / Tel. 813 974 4314) or your financial aid advisor. Also visit the USF Education Abroad funding webpage at:

http://educationabroad.global.usf.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Abroad.ViewLink&Parent_ID=68F3A9B5-26B9-58D3-F510C48834927734&Link_ID=AB58E997-26B9-564D-D66D7E80C4A0D776

**SCHOLARSHIPS:

There are a number of scholarships available through the USF Office of Education Abroad. In 2012, the deadline for Office of Education Scholarships was February 15, 2012. Check back on December 1 to learn the scholarship deadline for Summer 2013.

For more information about these scholarships, go to the USF Education Abroad scholarship webpage at:

http://educationabroad.global.usf.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Abroad.ViewLink&Parent_ID=68F3A9B5-26B9-58D3-F510C48834927734&Link_ID=AB58E997-26B9-564D-D66D7E80C4A0D776

Other USF scholarships may also be available. Students in the following categories have received generous scholarships in previous years:

Honors College
Army ROTC
Athletic Department (for students attending USF on an athletic scholarship)
Kosove Society

Contact Dr. Merrick (merrick@usf.edu / 941 224 3805) regarding deadlines for the Honors College, AROTC, Athletic Department, and Kosove Society scholarships.

13: APPLY ONLINE for Florence Summer 2014

You can now apply online.
Copy/paste the following link and select "Apply Now."

http://educationabroad.global.usf.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=22548

If you have questions about the application process, contact:

Mr. Jim Pulos

Education Abroad
University of South Florida
4202 E. Fowler Avenue, CGS 101
Tampa, FL 33620

PHONE/FAX/EMAIL

Phone: 813-974-4043
Fax: 813-974-4613

Email: jpulos@iac.usf.edu

CAMPUS LOCATION OF OFFICE:

(Patel) Center for Global Solutions (CGS)

Intersection of Alumni Drive and Maple Drive

(Across the street from the Business Building—BSN)

14: PASSPORT INFORMATION

If you are an American citizen, you will need a current passport. You are encouraged to renew your existing passport if it will expire within a 6 month period after our trip commences.

Below is the link to the U.S. State Department Passport Office which explains the documents you will need to apply for a first-time passport or a renewed existing passport that is about to expire.

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

15: HEAR WHAT YOUR CLASSMATES SAY!

From Joe (Pre Med)

"Living in Florence for six weeks was an experience well worth the cost. The historical, artistic, and architectural significance of the city was overpowering and thrilling throughout the program."

From Sarah (Psychology)

"Studying abroad in Florence with Dr. Merrick was a highlight of mytime as a student at USF. With every day came a new experience, whether it was observing the art of the Renaissance masters at the nearby Uffizi gallery or simply people watching with fellow students at a sidewalk trattoria. The classes at Florence University of the Arts were top-notch. I especially enjoyed cooking class withChef Desi. Studying abroad is a truly rewarding experience, one which I would recommend to any student—and what better place to study thanbella Italia?"

From Pete (Pre-Med):

"Italy, specifically Florence and Tuscany, has many unique places to explore with breathtaking scenery and important historical significance. The classes the program provides offer a great complement to what you are seeing so you can be an informed traveler/explorer, which allows for a deeper understanding of the Italian landscape and culture. I am pre-med and participated in shadowing experience in the operating room at a cancer hospital. That was an awesome experience! To this day, I reflect on the study abroad Dr. Merrick led and it has inspired me to visit more parts of our fascinating planet."

From Nikko (Finance)

“My experiences in Florence, Italy were outstanding to say the least. Words cannot describe the awesome times that I had. USF did a great job in providing a great place to stay, a positive learning experience, and a comfortable atmosphere along with other USF students. I would recommend this trip to anyone looking for a great time that you will not regret. This was by far, the best time of my life!”

From Rose (International Studies)

“I couldn't have been more happy with my study abroad experience in Florence, Italy, this past summer. Florence is such a fascinating city and there was never a dull moment. There truly is something for everyone in Italy: art, history, culture, nightlife, the best food and wine you might ever have in your life, fashion, wonderful locals, and so much more. Palazzi offered many workshops and movie screenings outside of classes, and Bus2Alps provided an easy and affordable opportunity to explore other regions of Italy while you're there.

Living in the city where the Renaissance was born is absolutely unreal, and there is so much in Florence that you wouldn't ever be able to take in as a mere tourist. Become a Florentine for a summer (and get credits while doing it!) and you'll find yourself aching to get back to Italy like the rest of us!”