The University of Iowa partners with CEA CAPA to offer students the opportunity to study at the CEA CAPA Study Center in Florence, Italy. Study in Florence offers a variety of academic areas including business, art history, psychology, and Italian language.

Students receive transfer credit for the courses taken on this program.

Academic Program

Fall, Spring or Academic Year

Students will enroll in 12-16 semester hours. Students are required to enroll in 1 core class, and an additional 3-4 courses from the CEA CAPA Florence center course offerings.

The core class options include courses related to Italian art, history, culture, and language.

CEA CAPA offers a variety of courses in the following disciplines: Art, Art History, Business, History, Italian Language, Psychology, and Sociology. You can review course options on the CEA CAPA website.

Applying credit toward a UI degree

Unless UI Study Abroad has an approval on file for the courses you take abroad to be applied toward a specific major, minor, certificate, or general education requirement, you will receive general elective credit for your course. The course approval process will be discussed when you meet with your study abroad advisor.

Cultural Activities

CEA CAPA typically offers two to three excursions during the fall and spring semester. In the past CEA CAPA Florence has organized day trips to Siena & San Gimignano and Pisa & Luca.

The center offers cultural activities, tours, and wellness activities. Activities offered in the past include cooking class, gelato tour, boat tour on the Arno River, Opera Night, hiking, soccer, and yoga.

CEA CAPA also offers service learning and volunteering opportunities. Students can participate in teaching English, language exchanges, and city clean up.

Program Dates

Program dates vary from year to year, but typically follow the University of Iowa’s academic calendar.

You can find the specific dates for the upcoming Fall, Spring, and Academic Year programs on the CEA CAPA website.

For More Information

Steps to Studying Abroad

1. Before initiating an application with CEA,CAPA students must complete a Discover Study Abroad session at the University of Iowa. 
2. After completing the Discover Abroad session, students will receive an email with their study abroad advisor assignment.
3. Once assigned, students must meet with their study abroad advisor to receive program application instructions.

  

Study Abroad
1111 University Capitol Centre
Iowa City, IA 52242

Phone: 319-335-0353
Email:study-abroad@uiowa.edu

CEA CAPA Florence Center

Classes are held in CEA CAPA’s two centrally located study facilities: Palazzo Galli Tassi and Palazzo Levi. Students will be within walking distance of the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and the Mercato Centrale.

Students can meet with staff and faculty at either center if they need support with academics. At the centers students will have access to: academic advising, lounge areas, study areas, computers, printing facilities, and wifi.

CEA CAPA staff hosts cultural activities and language exchange opportunities at the center. CEA CAPA also offers service learning and volunteering opportunities.

Florence

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 expresso and fresh biscotti, unforgettable dining establishments, and breathtaking views at every turn. Set in a valley on the banks of the Arno, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, Florence is one of the best-known and best-loved cities of the world. Striking buildings, treasure-filled galleries, and ancient churches attest to the nature of the Florentines to proudly display their riches for all to enjoy. 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 where pedestrians often mingle between the popular mopeds dashing through the city streets.

Italy

Aside from the unending, tangible history in Italy, the nation has beyond remarkable landscapes which bring any visit to an entirely new level. You can go skiing in the Alps, visit Roman ruins and Greek temples, or explore the Grand Canal in Venice.

As one of the world's most-loved destinations, Italy is also the land of la dolce vita, meaning "the sweet life." After an adventure, tourists can unwind, relax, and be pampered by staying at one Italy’s high-end spas or simply enjoying Italy's sophisticated dining pleasures, such as family-owned restaurants where you can experience real Italian cooking.

US Department of State Country Information

The US Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.

Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether traveling to any given country is right for you. Non-US citizen travelers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.

Living Arrangements

CEA CAPA's carefully chosen housing options enhance your experience abroad by allowing you to live like a local. While CEA CAPA does attempt to match your preferences with their housing options, housing preference requests cannot be guaranteed. Housing and roommate assignments are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Note: Iowa students are required to live in housing provided by CEA CAPA and must choose either apartment, residence hall (Palazzo dello Studente or Palazzo Novoli), or homestay.

Independent Living is not available to University of Iowa students.

You can find more information regarding CEA CAPA's housing options on their Florence webpage.

Passport

If you do not have a passport, it is important that you apply for one as soon as possible to ensure you receive it before the program begins. US citizens can find more information about how to apply for a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Important notice for students without a valid passport or whose passport will expire within the next 12 months:

US citizens can find more information about how to renew a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Students with a valid passport should check the expiration date. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months AFTER the anticipated return to the US from studying abroad. If your passport is not valid for at least 6 months after your anticipated date of return to the US, you must renew your passport before applying for the visa you will need to enter your host country.

Expedited processing service is available for US passports (although this still takes several weeks and is at an additional cost). UI Study Abroad encourages students to ask the passport agency at the time of application whether expedited service is recommended.

Non-US Citizens

Students who are not US citizens should contact their consulate for more information if they need to get a new passport or renew their passport.

Travel Arrangements

CEA CAPA Flight Vouchers: University of Iowa is not eligible for CEA flight vouchers.

Students will work with their program provider to make travel arrangements to their program site. The cost of travel is not included in the course fee. U.I. Study Abroad will not arrange a group flight to your study abroad destination.

Do not purchase plane tickets until you have received instructions on how to do so from your program provider.

Local Transportation

Within your host city and around Italy, students will utilize public transportation such as buses and trains. Italians are also very used to walking, so be sure to bring comfortable shoes!

Eligibility

This program is open to University of Iowa students who fulfill the following requirements:

• Clear interest and commitment- Students must demonstrate a clear academic or personal interest in the program’s subject matter, and a commitment to engage responsibly in coursework abroad.
  
• Demonstrated preparedness and maturity- Students must demonstrate preparedness to take on the heightened responsibilities associated with international study and travel. Students must demonstrate a commitment to behave responsibly abroad while respecting cultural differences. Students are expected to obey both local laws and program directives conveyed to participants before and during the program. The University of Iowa Code of Student Life applies to all program participants while abroad.
  
• Minimum 2.5 GPA- Students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA to participate in this program. Applications from students who have a GPA below 2.5 will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  
• Good academic and disciplinary standing- Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at the University of Iowa. Students placed on either academic or disciplinary probation for any period of time overlapping with the study abroad program dates are ineligible to study abroad on a University of Iowa program. Academic and disciplinary history will also be considered when determining whether a student is prepared to represent the University of Iowa as part of this program. Students who are not in good standing at any point overlapping with the program dates will have their acceptance revoked and will be responsible for the associated late withdrawal fees.
  
• Sophomore, junior, or senior standing- Applicants must have sophomore, junior, or senior standing by the time the program begins to participate in this program.
  
• Approval by CEA CAPA - Applications will be reviewed by CEA CAPA. Students will be accepted based on their review of the application materials.
  
• Attendance at mandatory orientation programming- Students must attend all in-person and online pre-departure orientation programming presented by UI Study Abroad and CEA CAPA .

Costs

The cost sheet outlines the total estimated costs associated with participating in this program and can be used for financial aid purposes. It includes fees charged on students’ U-Bill, as well as out-of-pocket expenses. Actual out-of-pocket expenses will vary from individual to individual. Quoted estimates are conservatively high, yet realistic.

2026 Florence CEA CAPA Study In Florence cost sheet

The cost sheet includes the Study Abroad Administrative Fee and Mandatory Iowa Regents CISI Travel Insurance. Please contact your study abroad advisor with questions regarding this cost sheet – call 319-335-0353 to schedule an appointment.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

For more information about receiving financial aid while studying abroad, please review the following:UI Financial Aid Information

You can find more information about options for funding your study abroad experience including scholarships on Undergraduate Scholarships for Study Abroad.

In addition, take a look at the following resources for CEA CAPA's funding options: CEA CAPA’s Scholarships website

How to Apply

• Meet with the appropriate study abroad advisor to discuss your study abroad plans well ahead of the application deadline. Your application will not be approved until you've completed this step. You can set up an appointment by calling UI Study Abroad at 319-335-0353.
• If you and your academic advisor agree that the program is a good match for you, complete the UI Study Abroad application.
• Create an account for the CEA CAPA online application in the MyCEACAPA portal. Complete all of the online sections of the application. Select your study abroad advisor, in the Advisor Approval Form task.
• Submit the CEA CAPA application.
• UI students are not required to pay the CEA CAPA $95 application fee. If you are asked to pay the CEA CAPA application fee, contact your UI study abroad advisor.
• Your advisor will complete the Advisor Approval Form and submit it to CEA CAPA.
• CEA CAPA will contact you by email to notify you of your acceptance status. This email will refer you to additional documents posted on your MyCEACAPA account. After you receive your official acceptance from CEA, UI will also send acceptance materials to you by email. This email will refer you to additional documents you will need to submit to UI Study Abroad to confirm and finalize your participation in the program.
• To confirm your participation in the program, you will be required to pay the non-refundable $500 CEA Confirmation Deposit as well as the refundable $350 CEA Security Deposit. You must pay these directly to CEA CAPA through your MyCEACAPA account.

Post-Acceptance

• You will be working with both UI and CEA CAPA directly. Please follow instructions from both. Following your acceptance, you will receive information and further instructions from CEA CAPA. Later, your UI Study Abroad advisor will contact you regarding orientation sessions, registration, and other required UI procedures and documentation.
• You will need to provide scans of the picture page of your passport to both UI and CEA CAPA . If you do not have a valid passport at the time you apply to study abroad, provide the scans as soon as you receive your passport.
• You will be billed on your U-Bill for your program fee, administrative fees, and Iowa Regents health insurance.

Application Deadline

Applications Fall, and Academic Year sessions are due on March 15.

Applications for the Spring session are due on September 24.

Health & Safety Planning

In addition to submitting their Confirmation of Participation form, students should review the following:

Prepare for Departure

Iowa Regents CISI Health Insurance Information

Students are also encouraged to complete the Health Preparation Guide for International Travel form with their medical practitioner. This document is intended to help you plan for your medical needs abroad. Please DO NOT turn this form in to UI Study Abroad.

Visa

Students will receive information regarding the visa application process from CEA CAPA staff. Participants need to be checking their e-mail often, so they don’t miss important information or deadlines. CEA CAPA also provides students with some of the required application materials for the visa application process.

U.S. Citizens will need a student visa if they are going abroad for a semester, or academic year. Typically, they will not need a visa for the summer sessions.

Non-US Citizens - should refer to the Italian Consulate webpage for more information on Italian visa requirements.

The closest Consulate available to UI students is the Chicago consulate.

UI Study Abroad will hold advising appointments and/or information sessions to provide details on the visa application process. Your Study Abroad advisor will notify you of any scheduled visa information sessions. Students with questions about visas/visa application process should contact their Study Abroad Advisor.

UI Study Abroad staff can provide some assistance on the Italian visa application process, but ultimately the individual traveler (the student) is the person who is responsible for providing correct information on the visa application and securing the visa and all other required documentation prior to travel.

Orientation

In order to prepare for your time abroad, you are required by the University of Iowa to complete two orientations. These may be in addition to orientations provided by your on-site provider. See below for more information.

Online Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation

You are required to complete the International Programs online ‘Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation’ course distributed through ICON prior to departure. This orientation is mandatory for all students going abroad under the auspices of the University of Iowa. It covers many practical matters about living overseas, such as health and safety, communication, money, goals and much more. You will be enrolled in this course by International Programs and an email will be sent to you once enrolled. If you have any questions you can email safety-abroad@uiowa.edu.

Program-Specific Orientation

This orientation will be facilitated by your study abroad advisor and will cover content specific to your program and host country. It could be conducted in a group setting or one-on-one depending on your type of planned activity abroad. Your study abroad advisor will send you more information about this mandatory in-person session.

Predeparture Resources

CEA CAPA will provide you with a variety of pre-departure resources to prepare you for your study abroad experience. These will include a packing list, cultural information, housing instructions, etc. Ensure that you thoroughly review any information provided to you by CEA CAPA and refer back to it if you have any questions.

These materials may be periodically updated to reflect new program information prior to departure. Be sure to check your e-mail often, so that you're aware of any updates or changes.