Introduction
The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Study Abroad Center offers undergraduate students the opportunity to study for the fall and/or spring semesters in Two Italies (Florence and Tuscania), Italy. On-site, the program is coordinated by Lorenzo de’ Medici (LdM).
The period of study is August through December for the Fall semester and January through May for the Spring semester.
Students follow a structured and integrated program of five 3-credit courses, which together comprise both a unique investigation into the roots of Western civilization and a grounding in modern Italian language and culture.
Students embark on an intercultural journey in which they explore different aspects of the Italian culture and lifestyle. Starting off in the cosmopolitan Florence, a city of art, design, and fashion, the program
continues in Tuscania, a picturesque hill-top town set in northern Lazio, located right between Florence and Rome, the Italian Capital, in one of the country’s most authentic and unspoiled areas, also noted for its Etruscan necropolises.
This dynamic program offers students a diverse and informed approach to the multifaceted aspects of contemporary Italy, as well as allowing them the opportunity to learn more about cultural differences and the settings in which they find themselves.
Informational meetings:
- Thursday February 29 1pm HST Moore Hall 104
Schedule an Appointment with a Study Abroad Adviser on STAR Balance.
Spring 2024 dates: Jan. 30 – May 3
Florence: Jan. 30 – Mar. 7
Tuscania: Mar. 7 – May 3
Fall 2024 dates: Aug. 27 – Nov. 28
Florence: Aug. 27 – Oct. 3
Tuscania: Oct. 3 – Nov. 28
Application deadlines:
* Spring 2024: Monday, Oct. 16, 4pm HST
* Fall 2024: Monday, Apr. 1, 4pm HST
Host Institution
With almost 40 years of growth and experience, Lorenzo de’ Medici (LdM) is one of Italy’s most distinctive and well-established study abroad institutions. LdM is renowned for its many years of offering academic and professionally-oriented courses designed to complement a variety of majors as well as to enrich students’ knowledge, experience, and skills. Students can choose from over 400 different courses in 32 subject areas taught at LdM’s campuses in Florence and Tuscania. Courses fall under four main academic divisions: Arts and Sciences, Creative Arts, Design, and Italian Language and Culture.
Lorenzo de’ Medici Tuscania
The Lorenzo de’ Medici School in Tuscania is located in an elegantly modern structure hidden within an ancient fortified building. The School is situated in the old town center and is physically incorporated into the medieval stone walls. This building has recently been remodeled to provide modern, light-filled studios and classrooms. Internal spaces have been designed to hold reading rooms, classrooms, an exhibition space, studios, a library, and a computer room. The facilities also include a courtyard and a fully equipped teaching kitchen for classes in Mediterranean cuisine. Lorenzo de’ Medici is committed to providing the means and the personnel to help creative individuals achieve the most out of their study abroad experience.
Lorenzo de’ Medici Florence
LdM in Florence is located in ten campus buildings (totaling 4800 square meters) in the historic city center, right next to the thriving San Lorenzo market and church and close to transport facilities. Florence’s unique architectural masterpiece, the Duomo, is within a few minutes’ walk. Together, the LdM buildings contain a full range of facilities including numerous classrooms and large, specialized art studios, a cafeteria, a courtyard garden, library, Student Point and computer center.
The main LdM building in Florence is situated in Via Faenza and dates back to the 13th century. It originated as a convent connected to a medieval church, San Jacopo in Campo Corbolini. This church, now deconsecrated, was founded in 1206 and for its first hundred years belonged to the Knights Templar. Rich in medieval frescoes and sculpture, the church has recently been restored to its original splendor and serves as the setting for LdM conferences and receptions. Students and professors from LdM’s Restoration Department were fully involved in the restoration of the church interior.
Curriculum
The Two Italies in Italy program provides students an opportunity to fulfill UHM major, minor, elective, focus, foundations, diversification and foreign language requirements for graduation. Students on the program must be enrolled full-time and will earn up to 15 credits.
The program runs from late August to early December for the Fall semester and late January to early May for the Spring semester. All courses are taught in English (with the exception of Italian language and culture) by Italian professors at LdM.
The program is a celebration of all that is Italian, from history, to excellence in the field of eno-gastronomy, approached from a Business and Marketing perspective.
At the same time, Two Italies engages students with a reflection upon
contemporary and eternal issues, such as the pursuit of happiness in challenging times, and the importance of sustainable practices in today’s food production and supply. An exploration of the Italian Language binds together the students’ experience through two of the most fascinating regions of our country; In Florence (Toscana region), they get the basics of the Italian Language, necessary to start navigating the Italian everyday life. In Tuscania (Lazio region), students immerse themselves in the language, getting the chance to engage in daily conversation with locals, and to really make a true Italian-style experience.
Students spend 6 weeks at each location, attending five 3-credit courses in total.
COURSE OFFERINGS
In Florence, students will explore The Ancient Roots of Florence while also studying The Pursuit of Happiness. The Tuscania portion of the program will focus on Sustainable Food and Wine Business and Marketing. These courses will be complemented by two blocks of Italian Language instruction – an Italian pre-session in Florence, followed by an intensive session in Tuscania.
Click here for TENTATIVE courses offered for the LdM “Two Italies” program and UHM course equivalencies. Course offerings are subject to availability and may change without prior notice.
Courses taken at LdM will appear on UHM transcripts as UHM credits.
Current as of Jan. 11, 2024
Location
Tuscania
The hilltop town Tuscania is located on the borders of the Tuscany and Lazio regions of central Italy, south of Florence and not far from Rome, in the breathtaking countryside of the southern Maremma. The countryside surrounding the town forms part of a nationally protected nature reserve and has one of the richest collections of archaeological remains in the world. Filmmakers such as Pier Paolo Pasolini, Orson Welles, and Franco Zeffirelli have chosen it for their films, while the town has inspired myriad artists, painters, photographers and writers. The central location allows for easy access to for day trips to the beach, to volcanic lakes and hot springs, as well as for visits to the nearby towns of Viterbo and Tarquinia, Rome, Florence, Siena, Pisa, and Assisi.
Florence
As the birthplace of modern humanism, naturalistic arts and scientific inquiry, Florence was the cradle of Renaissance civilization, the place where Dante, Brunelleschi, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Machiavelli, and Galileo changed forever the way we see the world. As a thriving economic center with particular strengths in the fashion, luxury goods and tourist sectors, the city of Florence also offers its inhabitants the chance to investigate myriad aspects of the contemporary Italian world. In addition, Florence is an excellent location for access to other sites and cities in Tuscany, Italy, and Europe.
Housing
The Two Italies program offers students double occupancy in an apartment in each city, for the duration of the program. Apartments are equipped with a full kitchen, and students prepare their own meals.
Excursions
The Lorenzo de′Medici Institute offers students various excursion opportunities.
Photos
Coming Soon – Check out photos in the Florence Program page
Program Cost
based on Fall 2023
shared room: $15,073
single room: $15,573
Cost includes Lorenzo de’ Medici tuition and accommodation (shared room in a furnished apartment), cell phone, airport pick-up, transfers between cities, textbooks, health insurance and UHM Study Abroad and student visa fees.
Roundtrip airfare between Honolulu and Rome is not included; students have the option of taking the flight arranged by Third Eye Travel or making their own travel arrangements.
FINANCIAL AID
FOR UHM STUDENTS ONLY: In order to receive financial aid, please ensure that either: a) you are receiving financial aid during the current semester, or b) that you complete the Financial Aid application during the current semester. www.hawaii.edu/fas
NON-UHM STUDENTS (those attending other colleges and universities during the regular school year) must apply for financial aid at their home institutions
SCHOLARSHIP
UHM Study Abroad Center Scholarship
See the Money Matters & Resources page for a list of possible scholarships.
Admission Requirements
Students are eligible to study abroad as early as the second semester of their Freshman year or later.
The program is primarily designed for undergraduate students who are interested in studying in Florence in English with specific academic interests. All candidates must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0, strong English writing skills, absolute fluency in English, and successful completion of course pre-requisites. However, students with a lower GPA may be considered. Non-native English-speaking students must have taken the TOEFL exam within the last two years and earned a composite score of 600+ or have taken the UHM ELI placement exam.
Admission to the program is selective. All applicants for the program will be judged on their academic performance, reasons for wishing to attend the program, flexibility, and sensitivity to other cultures, and ability to adjust to a new cultural setting.
Immediately upon acceptance to the program, students are required to pay a $500.00 non-refundable initial payment to ensure a place in the program. The initial payment will be applied toward the cost of the program.
Please note that students accepted to the program are required to attend three mandatory pre-departure class sessions totaling 12 hours. Failure to attend will result in students being withdrawn from the program.
Application
A completed Study Abroad Center application and three academic references must be received by the Study Abroad Center by the following dates to receive consideration. Students from outside the UH System must also submit official transcripts from every college attended.
APPLICATION DEADLINES:
- Spring 2024: Monday, Oct. 16
- Fall 2024: Monday, Apr. 1
Please note: The Study Abroad Center is closed on weekends, and Federal and State holidays.