Introduction

The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Study Abroad Center offers undergraduate students the opportunity to study for the Fall and/or Spring semesters in Two Italies (Florence and Tuscania), Italy. On-site, the program is coordinated by Lorenzo de’ Medici (LdM).

The period of study is August through December for the Fall semester and January through May for the Spring semester.

Students follow a structured and integrated program of five 3-credit courses, which together comprise both a unique investigation into the roots of Western civilization and a grounding in modern Italian language and culture.

Students embark on an intercultural journey in which they explore different aspects of the Italian culture and lifestyle. Starting off in the cosmopolitan Florence, a city of art, design, and fashion, the program
continues in Tuscania, a picturesque hill-top town set in northern Lazio, located right between Florence and Rome, the Italian Capital, in one of the country’s most authentic and unspoiled areas, also noted for its Etruscan necropolises.

This dynamic program offers students a diverse and informed approach to the multifaceted aspects of contemporary Italy, as well as allowing them the opportunity to learn more about cultural differences and the settings in which they find themselves.

Host Institution

With almost 40 years of growth and experience, Lorenzo de’ Medici (LdM) is one of Italy’s most distinctive and well-established study abroad institutions. LdM is renowned for its many years of offering academic and professionally-oriented courses designed to complement a variety of majors as well as to enrich students’ knowledge, experience, and skills. Students can choose from over 400 different courses in 32 subject areas taught at LdM’s campuses in Florence and Tuscania. Courses fall under four main academic divisions: Arts and Sciences, Creative Arts, Design, and Italian Language and Culture.

Lorenzo de’ Medici Tuscania

The Lorenzo de’ Medici School in Tuscania is located in an elegantly modern structure hidden within an ancient fortified building. The School is situated in the old town center and is physically incorporated into the medieval stone walls. This building has recently been remodeled to provide modern, light-filled studios and classrooms. Internal spaces have been designed to hold reading rooms, classrooms, an exhibition space, studios, a library, and a computer room. The facilities also include a courtyard and a fully equipped teaching kitchen for classes in Mediterranean cuisine. Lorenzo de’ Medici is committed to providing the means and the personnel to help creative individuals achieve the most out of their study abroad experience.

Lorenzo de’ Medici Florence

LdM in Florence is located in ten campus buildings (totaling 4800 square meters) in the historic city center, right next to the thriving San Lorenzo market and church and close to transport facilities. Florence’s unique architectural masterpiece, the Duomo, is within a few minutes’ walk. Together, the LdM buildings contain a full range of facilities including numerous classrooms and large, specialized art studios, a cafeteria, a courtyard garden, library, Student Point and computer center.

The main LdM building in Florence is situated in Via Faenza and dates back to the 13th century. It originated as a convent connected to a medieval church, San Jacopo in Campo Corbolini. This church, now deconsecrated, was founded in 1206 and for its first hundred years belonged to the Knights Templar. Rich in medieval frescoes and sculpture, the church has recently been restored to its original splendor and serves as the setting for LdM conferences and receptions. Students and professors from LdM’s Restoration Department were fully involved in the restoration of the church interior.