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Florence: Arts, Humanities, & Culture

Florence, Italy
The Beloit College Florence Program

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Working Behind the Scenes at the Uffizi Gallery and the Medici Chapels

Feb 18, 2013
Madeleine Senko and Siri Benn

Madeleine Senko and Siri Benn in Florence.

Madeleine Senko, a junior at St. Olaf College, is a big fan of museums. So what did she do when she arrived in Florence last fall and heard that she could get an internship at the famous Uffizi Gallery? "Of course, I started jumping up and down with joy!" she said.

When visitors from around the world flock to the Medici Chapels, another of Florence's best-known sites, they now have Lawrence University's Siri Benn as one of their guides, figuratively speaking.

Senko and Benn were the first students on the Florence Program to have internships at two of the city's premier museums. Their experiences as interns complemented their academic work, gave a big boost to their Italian language skills, and provided insights into what they would like to do in the future. Read more


Drawing Connections Across the Centuries in Florence Drawing Connections Across the Centuries in Florence Mar 14, 2011
Lecture by art historian Julia Sienkewicz brings out historic ties of the ACM Florence program's studio art course.
Tempting, Astounding, Challenging – Read All About It in the ACM Student Blogs Tempting, Astounding, Challenging – Read All About It in the ACM Student Blogs Sep 24, 2010
With words and photos, and in their distinctive voices, Global Ambassadors offer unfiltered views of their off-campus study experiences around the world.
From the Midwest to Florence, and from the Renaissance to Today From the Midwest to Florence, and from the Renaissance to Today May 19, 2010
Teacher, art history scholar, author, and longtime resident of Italy – Jodie Mariotti brings a wealth of experience as the new Director of the ACM Florence Programs.
Lessons of Life and the Heart and the Mind and the World Lessons of Life and the Heart and the Mind and the World Apr 21, 2010
The ACM Student Symposium on Off-Campus Study brought together 33 students to share their experiences, insights, and stories about the academic and personal growth fostered by off-campus study.
Engaging in a Dialogue that Can Both Surprise and Inspire Engaging in a Dialogue that Can Both Surprise and Inspire Apr 11, 2010
Students will gather in Chicago on April 16-17 to reflect on their off-campus study experiences at the 2010 Student Symposium on Off-Campus Study.

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News

Visiting Faculty Positions Are Available in 2014-15 on ACM Programs in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the U.S. Nov 19, 2012
With the programs' wide-ranging curricula, there are opportunities for faculty from across the disciplines.
Internships Give Students a Rare Insider's View of Museums in Florence Oct 31, 2012
Program Director Jodie Mariotti set up opportunities to work at the Uffizi Gallery and Medici Chapels.
Prices Announced for ACM Off-Campus Study Programs in 2012-13 Feb 16, 2012
Detailed cost information for each program is posted online.
Trip to Florence by ACM Faculty Will Enrich Students' Curriculum Oct 19, 2011
Site visit designed to give professors an insider's view of the Florence Program while they share their expertise.
Faculty in Music, Art, and Anthropology Named to Visiting Positions on ACM Programs Sep 24, 2011
Professors link off-campus study to the on-campus curricula at consortial colleges.
Faculty at ACM Colleges Appointed to Visiting Positions with Off-Campus Programs in 2011-12 May 28, 2010
Five professors will share their expertise with students on ACM programs in London, Florence, Botswana, and India.

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Photo spotlight

My Host Family

Two students and their Italian host mother in Florence, Italy. Courtesy of Kellie Griffin.

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Florence: Arts, Humanities, & Culture

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Giulia Hines The obvious reason I chose to study in Florence, being an Art History major, was that it was the birthplace of the Renaissance. What I didn't realize is that Florence is also the best place to study life. No day is average, and neither is any classroom session. Learning to share the city with hundreds of other American students was a challenge, but it made those times when we had built up the courage to talk with local Italian students all the more exhilarating. You will learn to love your host family, even though your Italian mom will show affection different from your other mom. You will learn to love the food and gelato, and most likely, you already do. You will learn to love the long walks to Disegno, because it gives you a chance to walk the less traveled cobblestone streets. You will learn to love Linguaviva (especially Aula 3), as your home away from home. You will learn to love the bustling San Lorenzo Market, because it'll give you a chance to perfect your bargaining skills. You will learn to love taking day trips on the weekends, because the hill towns around Florence are breathtaking. And finally, you'll realize you fell in love with Florence the moment you saw the Duomo from the airplane window.

—Giulia Hines, Florence, Fall 2009

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