Lorenzo de' Medici, Florence
Description
The Lorenzo de’ Medici Institute (LdM), started as a humble Italian language school and blossomed into a vibrant hub for the arts. Today, LdM offers exciting specializations in studio arts, creative design, liberal arts, and Italian language—all set in the heart of Florence’s Historic Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its breathtaking Renaissance architecture and legendary art galleries. It’s the perfect place to fuel your creativity and soak up centuries of culture.
Eligible Majors:
- Advertising and Marketing Communications
- Art History and Museum Professions
- Fabric Styling
- Fine Arts
- International Trade and Marketing
Program Type: Semester Study Abroad
“Semester Abroad” is an outbound-only program where you pay a partner school tuition
instead of FIT’s.
Looking to Fund Your Study Abroad Experience?
FIT offers competitive scholarships - up to $10,000 - for students enrolled full-time while abroad. Awards are based on an essay, recommendations, GPA and financial need. Learn more about Paying for Study Abroad.
Review the LdM Financial Budget Sheet (Google Doc) and meet with a financial aid counselor to discuss your program costs.
Eager to Study Abroad? Apply Now!
Submit your application through the Study Abroad Portal and then complete the required Course Equivalency Form with your Office of International Programs (OIP) program coordinator. After that, your department will review your completed course plan and application. See How to Apply step-by-step.
Program Details
If you have further questions about this program, contact the International Programs office at (212) 217-5380 or [email protected]
Fall Semester: Applications reviewed and approved on a rolling basis through February 15
Spring Semester: Applications reviewed and approved on a rolling basis through September 15
General Requirements:
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Enrollment: Must be matriculated in a degree program
- Capacity: Since this is not an exchange program, FIT is able to send as many eligible students as are approved by their academic departments.
Additional Requirements by Major:
Advertising and Marketing Communications (AMC):
- Meet with an academic advisor and/or thoroughly review degree requirements in Degree Works
- Meet with an OIP program coordinator
- Obtain approval from the department chair or international coordinator
- Students may take major-area, related-area, and liberal arts courses with the department's approval of the course equivalent
- Eligible to participate in the 6th or 7th semester
Art History and Museum Professions
- Meet with an academic advisor and/or thoroughly review degree requirements in Degree Works
- Meet with an OIP program coordinator
- Obtain approval from the department chair or international coordinator
- Students may take major-area, related-area, and liberal arts courses with the department's approval of the course equivalent
- Eligible to participate in the 6th semester
Fabric Styling
- Meet with an academic advisor and/or thoroughly review degree requirements in Degree Works
- Meet with an OIP program coordinator
- Obtain approval from the department chair or international coordinator
- Students will take a full course load of approved majors and related-area that align with their semester and may select from a curated list of liberal arts courses, subject to departmental approval of all course equivalents
- Eligible to participate in the 6th semester
Fine Arts
- Meet with an academic advisor and/or thoroughly review degree requirements in Degree Works
- Meet with an OIP program coordinator
- Obtain approval from the department chair or international coordinator
- Students will take a full course load of approved majors and related-area that align
with their semester.
- All liberal arts requirements must be satisfied prior to study at LdM.
- All liberal arts requirements must be satisfied prior to study at LdM.
- Eligible to participate in the 4th semester (spring only)
International Trade and Marketing (ITM):
- Meet with an academic advisor
- Contact Christine Pomeranz, department chair, before applying to discuss program options
- Meet with an OIP program coordinator
- Obtain approval from the department chair
- ITM students may only take liberal arts courses abroad
- Eligible to participate in the 6th or 7th semester
A full-time semester at LdM consists of 12–15 credits of your choice. Additional courses beyond this will incur extra tuition fees. As LdM is not an exchange program, any FIT courses will be charged at the applicable per-credit hour tuition rate in addition to LdM tuition.
Italian Language
Students will take an Italian language placement test to determine placement in the
appropriate Italian language level. No prior Italian language required.
A detailed Academic Calendar can be viewed on the LdM website.
Students are generally expected to arrive the day before orientation begins.
LdM provides access to facilitated student housing in shared apartments usually housing 2-4 students, with double rooms. Single rooms are limited but available upon request for an additional charge. All apartments are within walking distance to the school or easily reachable by public transportation.
Those who choose independent housing do not receive school support for apartment-related issues.
Students will be required to apply for an Italian Study Visa for the duration of their study in Italy. Students are encouraged to carefully review the Italian Study Visa requirements. Supporting documentation will be provided after approval.
FIT requires all students to be covered in the U.S. and Internationally for the duration of their study abroad program. Students are automatically enrolled in UHC Study Abroad Insurance, which is included in LdM program budget sheet (google doc). This policy is SUNY-mandated, therefore, it cannot be waived.
The UHC Study Abroad Insurance is ACA compliant and students may waive the FIT Haylor Student Health Insurance using the Study Abroad policy.