Important Dates
Tentative Travel Dates: May 18 – June 15, 2026
Interest Meetings: View on Office of Education Abroad event calendar here.
Scholarship Application Deadline: November 2, 2025
Application and Deposit Deadline: January 15, 2026
Program Description
Why just visit Italy when you can live there? On this four-week adventure based in Florence—the heart of the Renaissance—you’ll explore some of Italy’s most inspiring places, from the seaside villages of Cinque Terre to the Alpine beauty of Bolzano, the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the hill town charm of Siena. Along the way, you’ll pick up practical Italian phrases, learn to navigate real Italian transit (train, bus, taxi, tram, and maybe even funicular), and gain a fresh appreciation for art, science, and culture—from Brunelleschi’s architectural breakthroughs and Masaccio’s initial stabs at realism to Michelangelo’s bold sculptures, Galileo’s discoveries, and Botticelli’s dreamy gods and goddesses. Whether you’re into the psychology of linear perspective, the impact of the Renaissance on modern culture, or just incredible food and unforgettable views, UCA in Florence offers an immersive, hands-on experience of Italy at its best.
Faculty Leaders and Course Offerings
Dr. Ken Sobel fell in love with study abroad as a college student in Paris, and ever since then he always wanted to lead students on their own study abroad experiences. At UCA he’s been living the dream by leading students to Florence, his favorite home base for exploring Italy by train. Past and future adventures include hiking in the Alps near Bolzano, swimming in the Mediterranean at Cinque Terre, marveling at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and strolling through hill towns like Siena and Orvieto. He’s thrilled to return to Italy to keep learning to speak the language and share the food, culture, art, and everyday beauty that make Italy unforgettable.
Courses offered by Dr. Sobel:
- HBST 1377 Study Abroad Seminar [LD UCA Core: Diversity in World Cultures]
- PSYC 4377 Study Abroad in Psychology
- PSYC 4V80 Independent Readings in Psychology
- PSYC 6361 Research Lab in Psychology and Counseling
Prof. Doug Corbitt holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and philosophy from Asbury College (Wilmore, KY) and a master’s degree in philosophy from the University of Chicago (where he was the recipient of a University Humanities Fellowship). From 1993 to 2001, he taught bioethics as a member of the Division of Medical Humanities at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and from 2001 to the present he has been a lecturer at the Schedler Honors College at UCA. A large part of his childhood was spent in Belgium and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and since coming to UCA, he has co-led three study abroad programs: one to Tanzania and two to Italy.
Courses offered by Prof. Corbitt:
- HONC 3310 Junior Seminar
Program Cost
Once available, the estimated program cost will be posted here.
Health and Safety
Students registering for programs should carefully read through all health and safety information provided during the application process. In addition, students should honestly complete the ‘Health and Safety Form’ so that any health related concerns may be adequately accommodated on study abroad programs.
Participants will be enrolled in comprehensive international insurance for the duration of programming. It is the student’s responsibility to extend insurance cover if they stay abroad beyond UCA’s planned program dates. For information about international insurance coverage: https://uca.edu/globalstudy/health-and-safety/
Students must attend one health and safety meeting during the spring semester. Meeting dates will be announced after the application deadlines.