Welcome Letter

Welcome to Italy, and welcome to the School in Italy. The C.V Starr Middlebury School in Italy has a rich history having been founded in Florence in 1960 and being one of the first Italian programs that enrolled students in the local university system. Your time abroad will be an opportunity to learn about and become a part of Italian life. Students should not consider their time in the program as study abroad, but as life abroad!

The School in Italy center or sede, Sede Capponi, is located in Florence. It is a short distance from the academic heart of the city in a bustling Florentine neighbourhood that will allow students to be immersed in Italian life. The Sede is but one small part of what should be considered your campus, the city of Florence. Students who study in Florence for either a semester or academic year will be able to choose from courses offered at the Sede, the Università degli Studi di Firenze and the Accademia di Belle Arti. While studying or eating in the myriad of libraries, local cafés, and shops, students will be able to marvel at the architectural and artistic beauty that is Florence.

Along with its benefits, life in Italy can also present challenges. It requires independence, maturity, and a sense of humor that will enable you to accept the inevitable difficulties and frustrations that go along with living and studying in a different culture. For example, be prepared to change some of your study habits since libraries and university buildings in Italy have limited hours and generally close by 7 p.m. Adjusting to an academic environment that will seem less structured and efficient than the one you are used to will also challenge you and teach you how to navigate and learn from different didactic methodologies.

The School in Italy staff will make every effort to help you get settled in Italy and will advise and assist you with any problems you might have during the course of the program. Ultimately, however, it will be up to you to make the most of your experience abroad.

We hope that you will find this year in Italy, and your studies at the School in Italy, to be stimulating, enjoyable, and very worthwhile.

Rosa Cuda, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Director
C.V Starr Middlebury School in Italy