Skip to main content

Request info Apply now

London & Florence: Arts in Context

London, England & Florence, Italy

Location

London

Long an international center of commerce and politics, London has attracted immigrants and visitors from around the world. London is a city that has evolved architecturally throughout its history. As they tour neighborhoods and visit museums, students on the London & Florence Program survey the relationship between the city’s historical development and its architectural design. Course work in London includes an individual project related to the city's architecture. Theatre is also a key part of the course work in London. For centuries, British drama has been considered the best in the world. The program examines this renowned theatrical tradition and its role in the society. Students attend numerous theatre performances at many venues, from the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Barbican Theatre to the Fringe theatres of Greater London. They meet theatre professionals, talk to critics and scholars, and learn how the business of theatre operates.

Florence

In Florence, students see Renaissance art and architecture at almost every turn. Carefully preserved over the centuries, Florence presents a harmonious union of medieval and Renaissance architecture. With the guidance of their instructors, students view famous art works in galleries, museums, churches and public buildings. They examine Florentine architecture and travel to other Italian cities, such as Rome and Siena. Courses consider the influence of Italian history on the formation and preservation of its art. Students also experience modern Italian culture as they study colloquial Italian and live in Italian homes.

London & Florence: Arts in Context

Follow us online


Laura Linder-Scholer I chose the ACM London & Florence program because it offered the unique opportunity of exploring two places and cultures in-depth and living two very different lifestyles over the course of a single semester. My time in London taught me to appreciate the inexhaustible excitement of England's capital – from navigating the Tube and exploring a myriad of museums and art galleries to examining how history, politics, architecture, and art have shaped the city's cultural identity. Sharing a London flat with fellow students and making my own meals provided an invigorating detachment from campus life and taught me the thrill of true independence. In the beautiful city of Florence, I was able to witness firsthand the artistic and historical legacy of the Italian Renaissance while wandering the cobblestone streets and taking trips to Siena, Rome, and Venice. I learned the intricacies of the Italian language from gelato vendors, fruit stands at the central market, and intimate conversations with my host family over homemade pasta and tiramisu. In a way that I could not have expected, these two experiences provided me with a deeper understanding of myself, the people and places around me, the value of the arts and engaged educational experiences, and the indescribable adventure of traveling, studying, and living abroad.

—Laura Linder-Scholer, London & Florence, Spring 2010

Read more testimonials »