What is the program about?
Founded in the 1970’s, the Wells in Florence program is one of the oldest U.S. study abroad programs in Florence and one of the few located in the historic, medieval heart of this remarkable city. The Wells in Florence study abroad program offers a unique opportunity to study and live in one of Italy’s most important and dynamic cultural centers. You will spend the semester just a few blocks away from the Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery, the Galileo Museum, Medici Chapel, San Lorenzo Market, and some of Europe’s most renowned outdoor spaces.
We are thrilled to announce an exciting new chapter in the Wells in Florence legacy of global education as Manhattanville University becomes the new school of record for the program. This partnership marks a significant milestone in our commitment to continue providing exceptional international educational experiences.
Manhattanville University is fully accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. As the new school of record, Manhattanville will transcript all courses and send academic records to each student’s home institution to ensure seamless transfer of credits.
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What will you learn & do?
For this program, you will enroll at the Lorenzo de’ Medici (LdM), The Italian International Institute, where all courses-except Italian language and literature courses-are taught in English. Students take 12-15 credit hours per semester and LdM offers coursework in a huge variety of disciplines, including:
Ancient Studies, Anthropology, Art History, Religious Studies
International Studies
Art: Painting, Drawing, Fashion Design, Photography, Sculpture, Ceramics, Graphic Design, Jewelry Design
Italian Language
Communications
Literature
History
Political Science
International Business
Psychology, Philosophy, Sociology
Fun Fact:
Florence’s Historic Center has been named one of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites for its extraordinary Renaissance architecture and art galleries. With an exceptionally wide variety of painting, drawing, design, theater, dance, sculpture, photography, printmaking, and fashion design courses to choose from, LdM is the perfect choice for students interested in the creative arts and design!
Why is the Wells in Florence program
The best?
Housing
Students are housed in furnished apartments, centrally located in the historic downtown center.
Excursions
The program fee includes more excursions, cultural events, and social activities than other comparable programs.
FLIGHT
Students fly from NYC to Florence together. This is not an additional cost (included in program fee)
Staff
Full-time Wells staff members are available and close by 24/7.
immersion
A one-week, on-site cultural immersion and orientation program.
Visa
Dedicated support and guidance obtaining the Italian visa.
FAQs
Set in the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence (Firenze) is possibly the most beautifully preserved and artistically rich city in the world. Here, artistic treasures and architectural masterpieces of the past blend with ancient streets lined with elegant boutiques, peaceful parks, streetside cafes offering steaming hot espresso and fresh biscotti, unforgettable dining establishments, and breathtaking views at every turn. With the historical part of the city largely contained in a small area, many of the places to visit can be reached easily on foot.
Thousands of students from more than 200 American colleges and universities have participated in the Wells College Florence Program and have praised it for its efficient organization, as well as its excellent personal, academic, and logistical support!
For this program, you will enroll at the Lorenzo de’ Medici (LdM), The Italian International Institute, where all courses-except Italian language and literature courses-are taught in English. Students take 12-15 credit hours per semester and LdM offers coursework in a wide variety of disciplines.
Check out all 200+ courses, most in English, on our course curriculum page. Email florence@wells.edu any time you need help!
Program dates vary from year to year, but typically follow the university’s academic calendar. You can find the specific dates for the upcoming sessions on the Wells College Academic Calendar website. The Wells in Florence program is offered for fall, spring, or full academic year.
How are students supported when they are abroad?
The Wells in Florence program provides staff to support students while they are abroad. In addition to U.S. based Global Education staff, Wells College employs two full-time resident directors in Florence. Resident directors greet students at the airport, introduce them to the ways of life in their host country, help students to register at the host university, and support them throughout their stay. All Wells College staff, along with academic staff at the Lorenzo de’ Medici Institute in Florence-are available in case of any personal emergency and are ready to implement emergency response plans if needed.
In addition to housing, tuition, and international health insurance, the Wells in Florence program fee includes a one-week, on-site cultural immersion and orientation program the covers cultural adaptation, academic expectations, and health and safety issues.
We also include a number of excursions, cultural events, and social activities at no additional charge. Past programming has included:
- Orientation week excursion to Castello di Verrazano
- An inclusive overnight weekend trip to Venice and the islands of Murano and Burano
- Bi-weekly cultural activities in and around Florence. Past activities have included: soccer matches, night at the theatre, chocolate sampling or olive mill tour, the grape festival in Impruneta, Carnival in Viareggio, San Gimignano, and Cinque Terre.
- Welcome and goodbye group dinners
Don’t forget your round-trip flight to/from Florence is also included in the program fee! A Wells College representative will meet students at the airport and Wells staff will meet students at the airport in Florence and provide transportation to apartments.
Can parents visit students while they are abroad?
Parents are always welcome to visit! We recommend waiting until students arrive and receive their course schedules for the semester, so that both parties can consider the best time to visit based on coursework and break dates.
Learn More
Contact us today and we’ll be in touch to help explain the program, how to maximize your travel experience, and answer all your questions around studying in Florence.