TCU-In Florence

Previous Italian language study is not required to participate in this program. Students will take 4 or 5 courses at LdM, counting as 12 or 15 TCU credit hours. To find course options:

• • See LdM Course Catalog
  • Under “Site,” select Florence, and then the term.

Students receive TCU credit that applies towards the TCU GPA. As part of the application, students must have their courses pre-approved through the Credit Approval Process.

Internships

TCU-In Florence offers for-credit internships through LdM in business, communications, fashion, film, graphic design, museums, and more. The internships function as a class with grades appearing on the TCU transcript. Most internships correspond to 3 academic credits and students work 10 – 12 hours per week. Placements are limited and not guaranteed. Interested students must submit additional materials in their TCU in Florence application.

For more information about how credits work, see our Study Abroad Basics page.

You must abide by the academic policies and regulations of the host university, including but not limited to policies on:

• • Attendance / Absence policies
  • Add / Drop process
  • Grade Appeals
  • Final Exam schedule

TCU cannot override host university policies and regulations.

As part of the application, students must have their Florence courses pre-approved through the credit approval process.

While you are abroad, you are enrolled in 12 hours of coursework (identified as SABD) as a placeholder. Your classes will not be posted to your TCU recorded until 8 – 10 weeks after the semester ends, when the transcript from LdMis sent. Once the Registrar receives your transcript, they will record the courses using the department codes on your Credit Approvals (i.e., MARK, HIST) and a generic course code. Your dean’s office will apply these to your major / minor / electives / core as approved.

All coursework, regardless of program type, counts for grades and will be included in your TCU GPA.

For more information about how credits work, see our Study Abroad Basics page.

Group advising will be available to explain course options and the credit approval process.

Students are required to live in accommodations provided through TCU.

A typical kitchen

TCU-In Florence students live in fully-furnished apartments throughout the city center with other TCU students or ACCENT program students. Students may request one TCU roommate. Each apartment is unique, but all are comfortable and typical of Italian accommodations, which tend to be smaller and older than apartments in the United States.

All housing amenities vary, but most have washing machines (none have dryers) and showers (although some only have bathtubs). Students must bring or purchase their own towels and toiletries. Bedrooms are generally furnished with a bed, a closet or armoire, sheets, pillows and blankets. Kitchen facilities include a small stovetop, refrigerator, dishes and basic cooking utensils. Apartments usually have a table or desk for studying.

Any damages to housing will be posted to your TCU account upon return.

Semester Costs for 2023-24

1. 1. Florence Program Fee: Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 – $7400
      Pay $500 Non-Refundable Deposit to confirm your spot in the program after admission
      Program Fee is billed to your TCU Student Account before the semester begins ($500 deposit applied as a credit)
      This includes:
      — Housing
      — One-day and three-day excursions in Italy, plus cultural activities including cooking classes and lectures.
      — TCU-led activities
   2. TCU Tuition: $28,565
   3. Estimated Additional Expenses: For other outside expenses not included in the program fee. Individual budgets are highly variable. This may include:
      — Airfare: $1,400
      — Italian Permit to Stay Registration: $200
      — Italian Visa Fees: $100
      — Books: $200
      — Class Excursions: $300
      — Meals/Groceries: $2,000
      — Local Transportation: $150
      — Personal Expenses: $1,000
      — Travel Expenses: Highly variable

Visit the Scholarships & Aid page to learn about study abroad scholarships, through TCU and other organizations. In particular, TCU-In Florence applicants should look at the:

• TCU International Studies Award (included in program application)
• Fine Arts majors may also apply for the Fine Arts in Tuscany scholarship

Financial penalties are assessed on a sliding scale, based on withdrawal date.

• To withdraw from a program, you must notify TCU Global (studyabroad@tcu.edu) in writing. Study abroad scholarships and aid will be rescinded and cannot be used towards penalty amounts.
• In the case that TCU must cancel the program, the program fee (including deposit) and tuition will be fully refunded. Study abroad scholarships and aid will be rescinded.
• Financial penalties will be billed to your student account.
• TCU Tuition refunds are subject to TCU policies :(See TCU Undergraduate Catalog: http://catalog.tcu.edu/undergraduate/, Bachelor’s Degree, Definitions and Regulations.)

• Minimum 2.8 GPA; petitions may be considered
• At least two semesters in residence at TCU by the start of the program
• Good academic and disciplinary standing at TCU
• A valid passport (that will not expire until at least 6 months after your return)

• Fall Programs
  • Priority Deadline: March 15
  • Regular Deadline: March 29, if space available
• Spring Programs
  • Priority Deadline: September 15
  • Regular Deadline: September 29, if space available

If applications exceed enrollment maximums, a lottery system will determine admission. (Consideration may be given to prior language study and majors with limited study abroad opportunities.)

Complete the Global TCU Study Abroad Forms (already started an application? Login here to finish it).

• • This step includes completing a course approval process for your courses abroad.

Study Abroad programs often include field components that require the ability to perform tasks beyond what is expected in a typical classroom. Many programs require extensive walking and/or the ability to stand for extended periods of time; the ability to independently use public transportations; and/or sleeping in shared quarters. Program and housing facilities may lack central heat and air-conditioning, elevators, and other conveniences. Unless prior accommodations have been made through TCU Student Disabilities Services, students must be able to transport and manage own luggage through airports and public transportation centers.

Managing your health and safety is an important component in having a positive experience abroad. TCU provides you with a number of resources to assist you:

1. Prior to departure, you will need to attend the mandatory orientation which covers specific health, safety, logistical, and cultural information.
2. Upon arrival, you will have an orientation to reiterate health, safety, logistical, and cultural information.
3. TCU provides you membership to On Call International, a premier Global Assistance program. You can call On Call for any kind of travel, health, safety, or emergency issues, including:

• help replacing a lost passpor help translating and interpreting
• help with lost luggage, along with reimbursement for items needed while luggage is lost
• assistance finding general and specialty health care
• assistance with emergency refills of prescription
• health insurance for your time abroad.

For more information, please see Health & Safety

Italian Visas

Italy requires a visa for all TCU-In Florence students. The Italian Consulate prefers that TCU act on behalf of students applying for visas, so you will be given visa paperwork to submit through TCU. You must have a valid passport that will not expire until at least 6 months after your return form Florence.

Do not plan to travel outside the U.S. during the two months prior to your semester abroad because you must surrender your passport when you apply for a visa. Visa processing for Italy can take 4-5 weeks.

You MUST have a round-trip ticket prior to departure for your program abroad.

Before Departure

You must attend the mandatory TCU-In Florence orientation. You should also review the TCU-In Florence handbook and Know Before You Go page.

Arrival and On-Site Information

Plan to arrive in Florence between 9 am – 5 pm on the designated arrival date. Upon arrival, you will proceed to the ACCENT Center to pick up your keys before being transported to your apartment. During your first days, you will attend ACCENT’s onsite orientation, which includes a welcome dinner, a walking tour of the city, and survival Italian classes. At orientation, you will submit documents for the Italian Police Packet to obtain a “permesso di soggiorno,” which is required for a semester stay in Italy. ACCENT will facilitate securing the proper clearances onsite.

Because you are not enrolled in TCU classes, the TCU system will show 12 hours of coursework as a placeholder while you are abroad. Your classes will not transfer back to TCU until 8 – 10 weeks after the semester ends. At that time, the correct credit hours will be posted to your TCU record.