Italian Language & Culture
Your gap year in Florence strikes the ideal balance of structure and independence, giving you the freedom to grow, discover yourself, and prepare for college.
Imagine standing before Michelangelo’s David, savoring gelato in the city where it was invented, and taking in panoramic views from the top of the Duomo—the city’s breathtaking 15th-century cathedral crowned with the largest masonry dome ever built. The capital of Tuscany, Florence is not only renowned for its Renaissance art and architecture but also celebrated for its culinary delights, including Bistecca alla Fiorentina (a thick, grilled T-bone steak) and Panzanella (a refreshing bread and tomato salad).
Spend 12-15 hours each week immersed in engaging language classes with native instructors and like-minded peers who are sure to become treasured friends. Afternoons and weekends offer opportunities to marvel at world-famous art, wander through streets featuring historic architecture, and enjoy peaceful moments in picturesque Tuscany.
Living with a welcoming host family, you’ll practice Italian daily, share authentic home-cooked meals, and experience the rhythms of life in Italy firsthand.
Why Choose This Program?
Live the Language
Take 12-15 hours per week of Italian language classes designed to improve real world skills. A final proficiency test (STAMP) will showcase your rapid language growth.
Strike a Balance
Benefit from CIEE's global support and cultural expertise, while exploring the world at your own pace.
Develop Skills
Build a strong foundation in the core components of intercultural learning. Come home with a better understanding of the world and skills for a globalized workforce.
96%
of alumni said their language skills improved
94%
said they learned to interact with different cultural backgrounds
89%
said their level of independence increased
The Destination
Florence stands out as a city that feels like a hidden gem among hills, yet incredibly rich in history and culture. Its deep connection to the Renaissance makes it truly unique—everywhere you turn, there’s evidence of this transformative era, from masterpieces like Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” at the Uffizi Gallery to the city’s remarkable architecture.
Florence is mostly walkable, compact, and alive with activity. When in the city center, in just minutes, you can wander from the lively San Lorenzo Market—where hundreds of stalls offer everything from handcrafted leather goods to colorful pottery—to a quiet café along the banks of the Arno River, practicing your Italian over a perfectly pulled espresso. Meals here are a celebration of simplicity and flavor, featuring handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza, the region’s renowned olive oil, and Chianti wine.
And then, there’s Tuscany. Florence is your gateway to rolling vineyards, medieval hilltop villages, and countryside scenes straight out of a postcard. From weekend adventures to quiet discoveries, Florence offers an experience that will stay with you long after your gap year ends.
Sample Itinerary
Top Rated Activities
A Day in the Tuscan Countryside
The air in Tuscany carries the herbal notes of wild rosemary and thyme, mingled with the warmth of sun-soaked cypress trees. Depending on the season, you might catch the floral sweetness of blooming jasmine and lavender or the earthy tang of fermenting grapes during harvest. As you journey through rolling hills and picturesque vineyards, the region’s beauty reveals itself at every turn.
Depending on when you visit, you might explore a historic family estate in the Chianti hills, where you’ll learn about the art of winemaking and taste locally produced vintages. Alternatively, you could tour the marble quarries of the Apuan Alps, where Michelangelo sourced the stone for his masterpieces, or ferry to a serene island off Tuscany’s coast to discover its quiet charm and crystal-clear waters. Along the way, share laughs with your gap year abroad peers as you savor Pecorino cheese, rustic bread, and olive oil pressed from local groves. The vibrant colors, flavors, and stories of the countryside will create memories you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
A Weekend of Italian Decadence and History in Turin
Turin is Italy's first capital, where you'll follow the thread of Italian style through history.
This weekend excursion offers a balance of sights, history, and indulgence. You'll admire the treasures of the Egyptian Museum, home to one of the largest collections of ancient artifacts outside Cairo and uncover the magic of Italian cinema at the world-class Cinema Museum. At the Car Museum, you'll marvel at the evolution of design that shaped Italy's modern identity. You'll visit the Mercato Centrale—the largest fruit and vegetable market in Europe—and discover Turin's sweet side. Nutella was created here, inspired by the city's famous rich Giandujot hazelnut chocolates.
These overnight trips are a memorable time to enjoy with your CIEE gap year abroad friends. In Turin, that's undoubtedly done over food—tucking into Agnolotti, Piedmont's signature stuffed pasta, or savoring a Bicerin, a decadent layered drink of coffee, hot chocolate, and cream. Yum!
Eligibility
- Program open to recent high school graduates (no more that 1 year post-graduation) who:
- Are at least 18 years old at the time of their departure
- Are in good academic standing
- Demonstrate—through the application and interview process—flexibility and maturity.
- No previous language experience required.
- Please note that participants may volunteer at local organizations with prior authorization from CIEE. Participants are not authorized to take any job or seek employment during their stay.
For more information, refer to our detailed GAP eligibility criteria.
Dates & Fees
Application Fee
$50
Priority deadline discount
Apply to a fall semester or academic year program by June 1 and automatically get a $400 discount. Apply to a spring semester by October 1 and get a $400 discount. Discounts are deducted from the final balance.
Insurance
The program fee includes iNext travel insurance. Additional information about insurance can be found on the FAQ page.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Academic Year 2025 33 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | Costs $24,500 | |
| Program Spring 2026 11 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | Costs $13,000 | |
| Program Fall 2025 12 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | Costs $13,000 |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
Ready to change your life?
Our Staff
Tina Marisa Rocchio
Center Director
Tina grew up between the mountains of Vermont and the coastline of Rhode Island and has spent her adult life between Tuscany and Rome. Mastering Italian in high school, she...
Daniele Bini
Program Manager
Daniele was born and raised in Florence and grew up in the Chianti countryside of Florence. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Languages from the University of Florence, where...