91²Ö¿â

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Landscape of the city of Florence at sunset.

The 91²Ö¿â Florence Health Institute (FHI) is open to students who are pursuing a career in Public Health, Nursing, Medicine, Pharmacy or any related field. This study abroad program offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the impact of health sciences through an international lens.

Learn more about 91²Ö¿â in Florence

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Location

Florence, Italy

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Term

Summer

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Housing

Apartment

Program Highlights

In this interprofessional one-month summer education abroad experience, students pursuing careers in health-related fields will earn seven credits as they study and experience firsthand the healthcare differences between the United States and Europe. In addition to your lectures, you'll have the opportunity to tour health facilities and learn from experts in the field.
 

Program Contact Information

Kristina Bullard

Assistant Director, Education Abroad

Email: kbullar4@kent.edu

Office Phone: 330-672-0912

Important Dates

Application Deadline

  • Florence Health Institute: February 1, 2025

2025 Program Dates

  • Departure from the US: May 21-22, 2025
  • Optional Orientation Activities: May 24, 2025
  • Mandatory On-site Orientation: May 25, 2025
  • Classes begin: May 26, 2025
  • Classes end: June 19, 2025
  • Departure from Florence: June 22, 2025

Program dates are tentative and subject to change. Students should not make arrangements or purchase any airfare until they have been formally instructed to do so by the Office of Global Education.

Application Process

You will need to complete a 91²Ö¿â Education Abroad application. These quick steps will help walk you through the process.

1. Start an Education Abroad Application

When you click the "Apply Now" button (located towards the top and bottom of this page), you will be brought to the Education Abroad application system where you can view program costs and start an application. Be sure to submit your application before the deadline!

2. Guest Application (If applicable)

Are you a student at another university? To apply for a 91²Ö¿â education abroad program, you will first need to apply for admission to 91²Ö¿â as a “Guest Studentâ€. Please apply as either an “Undergraduate Guest Student†or as a “Graduate Guest Studentâ€, depending on your course level.

Once you have applied and been accepted as a 91²Ö¿â student, you will receive an email with your FlashLine login credentials. Activate your account and then proceed to the next step, which is to apply to the Education Abroad program of your interest. You can return to this page and follow the “Apply Now†button to start that application.

You can also refer to the FAQs for Guest Students if you need further help.

3. Wait for Acceptance

Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis.  You will receive an e-mail with your application decision once your application has been reviewed.

4. Commit to the Program

If you are accepted, you need to log back into your application by going to and clicking LOGIN. Once you see the name of your program, you need to click on it and commit (i.e., accept your offer of admission). 

Academics

Eligibility

Applicants must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA and be in good standing at their home institution.

All courses will be offered at both the undergraduate and graduate level in order to satisfy a variety of students’ academic needs.

Academic Offerings

Courses include:

  • NURS 40085 International Health Care Policies 3 credits (Mandatory)
    • Please Note: this course meets the Core Competencies for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice for KSU students
  • PH 43089 Plagues that Shaped the World: 3 credits (Mandatory)
  • MCLS 10095 Italian for Medical Professionals: 1 credit (Mandatory)

Course credit is awarded by 91²Ö¿â so if you are a 91²Ö¿â student, there is no need to transfer credits. If you are not a 91²Ö¿â student, the credits can be easily transferred to your home university. 

Be sure to  to discuss which courses best fit your program requirements and will help you progress toward your degree.

Group Flight & Transportation

Group Flight

Students have the opportunity to travel to and from Florence on a group flight. As part of the group flight, students are able to travel with other 91²Ö¿â students and are accompanied by a Group Flight Leader on the way to Florence. Students also have the option to opt out of the group flight and fly independently.

Airport

The city of Florence is served by the International airport, Florence Airport, Petrola (FLR)

Local Transit

While traveling throughout the city of Florence, walking will be the main mode of transportation used for most students. However, there are various transit options for students who wish to travel throughout Italy or Europe and even within the city center of Florence itself.

Train: Traveling throughout Italy by train is very accessible as Florence is a central hub for the train system. Tickets may be purchased in advance online or at a kiosk in the train station.

The main train station in Florence is the Santa Maria Novella (SMN). Other train stations in Florence include the Campo di Marte and the Rifredi.

Tram Line: The Florence Tramway is located just outside of the Florence Airport, Petrola and takes passengers from the airport to the city center, connecting at the Santa Maria Novela (SMN) train station.

Buses: Outside of the historic city center, local buses run throughout the city operated by ATAF. 

Taxis: There are many taxi services available. Taxis must be ordered ahead of your departure by phone or arranged at an official taxi stand. 

Location & Housing

Florence, Italy

Located in central Italy, Florence is a highlight for all travelers. It is the capital of the region of Tuscany and contains many iconic landmarks such as the Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, and the Ponte Vecchio bridge. The city is known as the birthplace of the Renaissance and is famous for its advancements in art, science, literature, architecture, and politics. Split by a river and surrounded by rolling hills, Florence offers an idyllic countryside view while also providing a bustling city life.

Located in the center of the country, Florence is just a couple of hours from Italy’s other world-renowned cities, like Rome and Venice. You can also get a taste of rural Italian life as the vineyard-covered hills of Tuscany are just miles from the city’s center.

Many people speak English in Florence, but it is not difficult to pick up the native Italian language and even try your hand at speaking it. In Florence, you can find a combination of history and culture in an urban center that is just a bus ride away from picturesque Tuscan views.

Housing

91²Ö¿â arranges housing accommodations on behalf of students prior to their arrival in Florence. Students stay in apartments throughout the heart of Florence, allowing for an immersive experience.

Apartments are fully furnished with bed linens, a kitchen, washing machine, tv, and wifi. Students will need to bring their own towels. Apartments are shared with two to eight other students in the program, and it is possible to submit a roommate request. Gender inclusive housing is also offered.

Campus Information

The KSU Florence program is based in Palazzo Vettori, a prestigious and ancient building located in the heart of Florence at the corner of Via Cavour and Via Alfani, next to Piazza del Duomo. According to historian Guido Carocci, the building’s roots date back to the beginning of the 15th century. Its façade proclaims the new ideas of Renaissance architecture based on the use of rustication.

Within Palazzo Vettori, students will find their classroom spaces, studios, a library, computer labs, staff and faculty offices, and common areas including a beautiful outdoor courtyard.

Financial Aid & Scholarships
Health & Safety

Health & Safety

Pre-Departure Orientation

Prior to your education abroad experience, you will participate in a mandatory pre-departure orientation hosted by the Office of Global Education. During this orientation, you will be provided with information including but not limited to:

  • international travel procedures;
  • in-country resources;
  • health and safety resources and information;
  • culture shock and resources to help prepare for living abroad.

All students are encouraged to register with the prior to departure.

Flashes to Florentines Pre-Departure Event Series

The Flashes to Florentines pre-departure series is open to all committed Florence students of any major or cohort. By attending these sessions, you’ll have the opportunity to learn what it’s like to live like a Florentine, practice your Italian language skills, and prepare yourself for your experience abroad. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet other students participating in the Florence program. Topics to be covered include:

  • Traveling to Florence;
  • Italian culture and living like a Florentine;
  • Health and wellness abroad;
  • A crash course in Italian language;
  • Florence alumni panels - hear from other students about their experiences in Florence.

You can also review a wide variety of resources we’ve pulled together for you on our “Before You Go†page.

In-Country Orientation

Upon your arrival in Florence, you'll join another orientation designed to help you make the most out of your study abroad experience and achieve the following goals:

  • Orient yourself to the city of Florence.
  • Develop the awareness you need to observe and learn from different cultures.
  • Discover the businesses, organizations, and other important places in Florence.
  • Access the tools you will need to succeed academically, personally, and safely within KSU policies.

Country Profile

You can learn more about your destination(s), including travel advisories, through the .

In addition, we encourage you to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel page for  for traveling to your destination(s).

If vaccinations or medications are needed according to the CDC, you should make arrangements for appointments with your healthcare provider or the DeWeese Health Center as soon as possible. Appointment openings at the DeWeese Health Center are limited and vaccines may need to be ordered, which takes time. Please note that not all immunizations are available at the DeWeese Health Center. 

FAQs

For more information and answers to common questions about Florence, please visit our 91²Ö¿â Florence FAQs page.

Florence FAQs

Costs and Funding

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Costs for the program will differ for every student. You can use our Cost Calculator to get an estimate of what you might expect for your program.

We also encourage you to meet with your Education Abroad Advisor and reach out to Financial Aid the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center to see how your aid may apply to an international program.

 

Taylor in Pisa, pretending to hold up the leaning tower.
Taylor Kristufek
Nursing

"It was interesting to see Italy’s approach to healthcare and its use of a universal healthcare system, which was very different from what I have observed in my clinical rotations and at my job as a nursing assistant.

As most of my time was spent in Florence, I got to know the city very well. A month does not seem like a long time, but I quickly felt comfortable navigating around Florence. Before I knew it, I had my go-to spot for the best gelato and relied less and less on my GPS. It was completely different from anything I had experienced before when traveling and I absolutely loved it."

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