Florence - Mature Teen Homestay Program for 16+

2010 Mature Teen Homestay Program in Florence, Italy

      

Is this program for you?

The Mature Teen Homestay Program in Florence is suited to the student who is looking for a high-quality language immersion program in the heart of the Tuscany region! The program is ideal for students who want to combine daily Italian language classes with afternoons, evenings and weekends that are free to join optional activities and excursions or spend time exploring Florence on their own, with their host family or with new friends. The program is intended for students who are independent, have some travel experience, are comfortable taking public transit, are used to time away from family and are able to effectively manage and advocate for themselves in new and unfamiliar situations. Please see the About Mature Teen/Gap Year Programs page for more information.

Location

Florence is located in the northwestern region of Italy in Tuscany. It is less than 2 hours by train from Rome in the south and less than 3 hours from Milan in the north. It's a surprisingly small city with less than half a million people. However, don't let the size fool you, without a map you will be going in circles before you know it!

Still, it is the perfect city for exploring on foot. All of the major landmarks in the city are only 20-40 minutes apart, or less. Florence simply cannot be rushed. It was made for leisurely strolls along the Arno river, over one of the many bridges, (including the Ponte Vecchio), or through one of the countless narrow streets surrounding the Uffizi, the Duomo, or any of the numerous piazzas.

Be sure to visit all these sites and the surounding region with your fellow students... and don't forget to practice your Italian in the shops!

Program

The school is only a short walk from the main train station, Santa Maria Novella. It is located on three storeys of a beautiful 19th century building. There are 17 classrooms and the school has free wireless internet access as well as a lovely enclosed garden patio. Accommodation is within 15-30 minutes from the school and there is a varied and affordable social activities calendar available for students on a daily basis. Please see the sample schedule for more information.

Courses

The Standard course option provides 20 lessons per week divided into 4 lessons per day with each lesson 50 minutes in length. Group size is maximum 12 students and there are 10 language levels available from beginner to advanced.

Starting dates are once a month for beginners and every Monday for students with some Italian language skills. The courses focus on a communicative approach and cover all areas of language comprehension - vocabulary, grammar, listening, reading, and writing.

Teachers

All teachers are selected based on proper qualification to teach Italian, their enthusiasm, and previous success teaching students. The school is authorized by the Ministry of Education to teach Italian language and culture to international students.

Accommodation

All accommodation, whether homestay family or local apartments and flats, has been inspected by school staff for cleanliness and suitability for students.

A homestay family experience is perfect for the student who is looking to maximize the opportunity to be immersed in Italian culture. As in many parts of the world there is no "typical" host family in Florence but any family you stay with will be welcoming and excited to share Italian language and culture. We encourage you to apply well in advance of your study period to ensure placement with a family that is the best possible match to any specific requests or preferences you may have. Your accommodation consists of a single room (or double if you're coming with a friend) and two meals per day- breakfast & dinner.  Families are located about 20 to 30 minutes from the school.

For important information about staying with a host family please visit our Homestay Q & A page.

Please note: If you are 18 or over (no exceptions) you can choose shared or private apartments (flats) depending on your needs for independence. All flats are fully furnished and come with sheets and towels. Shared flats have three or more bedrooms and bathrooms and common areas are shared with other students.

The following program features are included in the price:

• 20 lessons per week (4 lessons per day)
• Study materials
• Language level test on first day of classes
• Certificate of attendance
• Homestay accommodation in single room (double if you're coming with a friend)
• Two meals per day (breakfast and dinner)
• Airport pick-up at Florence International Airport (see the Getting There page for more information)
• Comprehensive Medical & Travel Insurance (Only available for US citizens/residents)