Florence Semester Program

Three students overlooking Florence, Italy at sunset.

Three people in a glass shop holding ornate carnival masks over their eyes

Four people in Venice standing in front of a blue canal with pink and yellow buildings behind them on a cloudy day.

Skyline view of Florence, Italy with cathedral in center and trees framing the view.

A group of people with sketchbook standing at a stonewall drawing the view in the distance.

Two people working in an art studio making paintings and sculptures.

Person working on an architectural drawing referencing a computer on their work table.

Four people sitting on a low wall in front of the acropolis in Athens, Greece.

Three friends eating sandwiches on a stoop in the sunlight. The rest of the narrow street is in shadow.

The Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral lit in sunset with a blue sky.

WU students touring Certosa di Galluzzo.9-10-2018.1(1).jpg

Enrica Guidato_Milan Fahsion Week 17(1).jpg

Maya Yildirim presenting to jurors in Fall 2022

WU architecture students touring the Certosa di Galluzzo

The Sam Fox School offers undergraduate students in art, architecture, and design the opportunity to spend a full semester studying in Florence, Italy. The curriculum across programs involves intensive studio work in students’ chosen area of study, equivalent to the semester curriculum offered on-campus in St. Louis, complemented by courses in Italian language and architecture and art history.

About the program

Sam Fox majors and second majors (BS, BFA, BA) can study abroad in the semester. Your major determines when you take your semester abroad. See below for details. Second Majors in Art or Design can study abroad in either fall or spring of junior year depending on prerequisites. Minors in Sam Fox cannot attend the semester abroad program, but can attend the summer program. Students earn 15 credits in Florence. See each program below for specific classes taken in each major.

Students live in furnished apartments or dormitory style buildings in and around the historic city center. Apartments are shared between 3 and 6 students. Rooms can be single, double, or triple.

Field trips are organized by faculty to destinations throughout Italy, including to Venice for the Venice Biennale. Approximately 3 group field trips will take place during the semester abroad.

Students attend a preparation seminar before going abroad. To kick off the semester, we begin with tours, activities, and workshops orient students to the city. Local staff and faculty ensure students have the support they need throughout the program. Current students, learn more here.

Students obtain their own passports and the school helps with the visa application.

Architecture

Architecture students study abroad during fall semester of senior year. Students apply in the spring of sophomore year at sa.wustl.edu. WashU faculty join students in Florence to teach the architecture studio and seminar. Local faculty join for critiques.

Current Sophomores apply now for Fall 2025 semester abroad. Application Due March 15, 2024.

Architecture students take the following classes:

Architecture Studio | 6 credits
Architecture Seminar (300 level) | 3 credits
Italian Language | 3 credits
Art & Architecture History | 3 credits

Architecture Student works Fall 2016 - 2019

Rita Wang

Architecture Student works Fall 2016 - 2019

Caroline Amstutz

Architecture Student works Fall 2016 - 2019

Final exhibit

Architecture Student works Fall 2016 - 2019

Caroline Amstutz

Architecture Student works Fall 2016 - 2019

Emma Dake jury

Architecture Student works Fall 2016 - 2019

Final critiques

Architecture Student works Fall 2016 - 2019

Grace Kang

Architecture Student works Fall 2016 - 2019

Grace Kang

Architecture Student works Fall 2016 - 2019

Kristie Houghton

Architecture Student works Fall 2016 - 2019

Final critiques

Architecture Student works Fall 2016 - 2019

Leah Janover

Architecture Student works Fall 2016 - 2019

Aaron Mermelstein

Architecture Student works Fall 2016 - 2019

Caroline Amstutz

Architecture Student works Fall 2016 - 2019

Annabelle Li

Architecture Student works Fall 2016 - 2019

Annabelle Li

Architecture Student works Fall 2016 - 2019

KJ Kuang

411_FL18_McCarter_LeahJanover_Image01(1).jpg

AARON MERMELSTEIN_Fall_Florence_Leet.jpg

Communication Design

Communication Design students go abroad in spring of junior year. They apply in spring of sophomore year. Local Florentine faculty who are experts in their field teach the classes. Students choose 3 courses from a pool of 5 illustration and graphic design courses. Past course offerings have included Branding & Identity, Experimental Typography, Methods: Verbal to Visual, Strategies on Site: Sketchbook, and Making Meaning.

For BA students, the 3 credits in Art & Architecture History can count as Art History & Visual Culture credit.

Current Sophomores apply now for Spring 2025 semester abroad. Application Due March 15, 2024.

Communication Design students take:

Com Des Major Elective (300 level) | 9 credits
Italian Language | 3 credits
Art & Architecture History | 3 credits