Florence, Italy Internship Program
Early Applications for Spring due September 13th for $500 off program fee.
Regular Applications for Spring for full program fee due September 27th.
Regular Applications for Spring for full program fee due September 27th.
- Fall Program Dates: August 29, 2024 - December 14, 2024
- Fall Break - (TBC)
- Spring Program Dates (TBD): January 23, 2025 - May 10, 2025
- Spring Break - February 14 - 25
- Summer Program Dates: May 12, 2024 - August 2, 2024 (TBC)
- For application and scholarship deadlines see our Application Instructions page.
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Florence is serves as the heart of art and culture in Italy, boasting excellence in a number of fields from food to fashion to tourism to sports. Partnering with Florence University of the Arts, the Global Programs Office is offering students the opportunity to undertake internships on and off campus, gaining real-life experience in the Italian media landscape while enjoying this historic city.
Students will work a minimum of 30 hours a week, or four full days. Participants are placed in journalism, media, and communications outlets with the assistance of Florence University of the Arts. Applicants are encouraged to view the placement process as a job search. While these internships are completed for course credit, students should expect significant responsibility and real-world challenges working at the organizations partnered with FUA and embedded in the Florence community.
The program also includes a weekly seminar designed to help students better understand the media landscape and political scene of Italy and Europe. These seminars may include guest lecturers and off-hours visits to media or political venues.
Students will work a minimum of 30 hours a week, or four full days. Participants are placed in journalism, media, and communications outlets with the assistance of Florence University of the Arts. Applicants are encouraged to view the placement process as a job search. While these internships are completed for course credit, students should expect significant responsibility and real-world challenges working at the organizations partnered with FUA and embedded in the Florence community.
The program also includes a weekly seminar designed to help students better understand the media landscape and political scene of Italy and Europe. These seminars may include guest lecturers and off-hours visits to media or political venues.
A city just shy of 400,000 people, Florence famously birthed the Renaissance. While much of the city curates and showcases its enormously important cultural past, it has also kept up with the modern evolution of Europe. The result is an interesting melting pot of the old and new, a city with art and beauty at every turn with all the comforts and luxuries anyone might need to feel at home.
Florence boasts world-class shopping (ranked as one of the 15 most important fashion cities in the world), incredible art exhibits, and eclectic dining options. Students can spend an afternoon admiring priceless works of art in the Uffizi Gallery, walk along the River Arno taking in the Palazzo Pitti, or enjoy an evening swept away in the emotion of a classic opera at the Teatro della Pergola.
As a transportation hub, Florence acts as a nexus for all major Italian cities, which are accessible by efficient and affordable train networks in the country. Many major European airlines also fly into the Florence airport, affording easy transportation to most parts of Europe. While the city is extremely walkable, residents also make use of an extensive bus system to move quickly from home to work.
Florence boasts world-class shopping (ranked as one of the 15 most important fashion cities in the world), incredible art exhibits, and eclectic dining options. Students can spend an afternoon admiring priceless works of art in the Uffizi Gallery, walk along the River Arno taking in the Palazzo Pitti, or enjoy an evening swept away in the emotion of a classic opera at the Teatro della Pergola.
As a transportation hub, Florence acts as a nexus for all major Italian cities, which are accessible by efficient and affordable train networks in the country. Many major European airlines also fly into the Florence airport, affording easy transportation to most parts of Europe. While the city is extremely walkable, residents also make use of an extensive bus system to move quickly from home to work.
- Internship credit hours are graded as Pass/Fail
- Journalism seminar credit hours and culture class credit hours are graded A-F.
Summer (9 credits total)
- 3 hours of upper-level journalism specialty area credit associated with the internship (JOURN 4940 or JOURN 4650).
- 3 hours of upper-level journalism specialty area credit taught by FUA
- Digital Marketing - Art, Food, Fashion, and Wine: Creative advertising of Italian Destinations
- 3 hours of upper-level non-journalism elective credit. This class on Italian society, history, politics and culture is taught by our partner university FUA (Florence University of the Arts).
Spring/Fall (12 credits total)
- 6 hours of upper-level journalism specialty area credit associated with the internship (JOURN 4940 or JOURN 4650).
- 3 hours of upper-level journalism specialty area credit taught by FUA
- Digital Marketing - Art, Food, Fashion, and Wine: Creative advertising of Italian Destinations
- 3 hours of upper-level non-journalism elective credit. This class on Italian society, history, politics and culture is taught by our partner university FUA (Florence University of the Arts).
Undergraduate applicants with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who have completed either J4200 (Principles of Strategic Communication) or J4180 (Newsroom Content Creation). Applicants who will complete one of these courses in the semester/term preceding the term for which they are applying will be considered for conditional acceptance to the program.
All students must be in good academic standing. If an applicant has a GPA below a 3.0, a letter of appeal should be included with their application.
Applicants should compose a well-constructed resume and cover letter highlighting technical skills for use in the professional placement process. Students should also consider developing a portfolio to provide, if requested.
All students must be in good academic standing. If an applicant has a GPA below a 3.0, a letter of appeal should be included with their application.
Applicants should compose a well-constructed resume and cover letter highlighting technical skills for use in the professional placement process. Students should also consider developing a portfolio to provide, if requested.
The Missouri School of Journalism attempts to make the costs of studying abroad affordable for you. Generally, study abroad experiences cost a bit more than a summer semester completed on-campus at MU. However, a summer abroad includes new experiences, cultures, languages, and an opportunity to explore the world as an international student. It is highly recommended that students outline a budget that considers what they might spend during the program. Students on this program pay MU educational fees on all credit hours as though taking classes on campus. The cost of the trip includes international travel, ground transportation, lodging, mandatory insurance, and an MU Study Abroad fee, which is applied toward costs associated with orientation programs, administration, and staff assistance.
Fall/Spring Semester Program Costs
Total Program Costs: $10,532.30 (TBD)
Program Fee, Housing, Insurance, and Study Abroad Administration Fee
(Note: Total Program Costs do not include tuition)
Breakdown of total fee:
Program Fee: $9,975* (TBD)
*Program fee includes housing.
MU Mandatory International Health Insurance (GeoBlue): $300
MU Study Abroad Administration Fee: $257.30
Amounts listed are anticipated costs and are subject to change as a result of international economic factors, decreased student numbers, etc. Budget listed is based on previous Summer term and subject to change.
Total Program Costs: $10,532.30 (TBD)
Program Fee, Housing, Insurance, and Study Abroad Administration Fee
(Note: Total Program Costs do not include tuition)
Breakdown of total fee:
Program Fee: $9,975* (TBD)
*Program fee includes housing.
MU Mandatory International Health Insurance (GeoBlue): $300
MU Study Abroad Administration Fee: $257.30
Amounts listed are anticipated costs and are subject to change as a result of international economic factors, decreased student numbers, etc. Budget listed is based on previous Summer term and subject to change.
Summer Program Costs
Total Program Costs: $8,707.3 (TBC)
Program Fee, Housing, Insurance, and Study Abroad Administration Fee
(Note: Total Program Costs do not include tuition)
Breakdown of total fee:
Program Fee: $8,250* (TBC)
*Program fee includes housing.
MU Mandatory International Health Insurance: $200
MU Study Abroad Administration Fee: $257.30
Amounts listed are anticipated costs and are subject to change as a result of international economic factors, decreased student numbers, etc. Budget listed is based on previous Summer term and subject to change.
Total Program Costs: $8,707.3 (TBC)
Program Fee, Housing, Insurance, and Study Abroad Administration Fee
(Note: Total Program Costs do not include tuition)
Breakdown of total fee:
Program Fee: $8,250* (TBC)
*Program fee includes housing.
MU Mandatory International Health Insurance: $200
MU Study Abroad Administration Fee: $257.30
Amounts listed are anticipated costs and are subject to change as a result of international economic factors, decreased student numbers, etc. Budget listed is based on previous Summer term and subject to change.
Additional Costs
Students will also be responsible for regular tuition and required educational fees associated with 9 to 12 credit hours (depending on semester). For specific fee information, visit the For specific fee information, visit the Cashier's website.
Personal Expenditure Estimates
Round-trip Airfare: $1,000 - $1,400
Meals (per week): $100 - $125
Transportation (total): $300 (semester), $200 (summer)
Local Phone Number and/or Phone: Prices vary
In addition to the program costs paid to MU, you will have expenses associated with international travel and living abroad. The amounts listed are estimated costs based on current exchange rates and on the information provided to us by your host institution and past participants. Depending on your personal spending habits, you may spend more or less than the figures provided.
Please note that these expenses do not include vacation travel or sightseeing. All fees are subject to change and without notice.
Students will also be responsible for regular tuition and required educational fees associated with 9 to 12 credit hours (depending on semester). For specific fee information, visit the For specific fee information, visit the Cashier's website.
Personal Expenditure Estimates
Round-trip Airfare: $1,000 - $1,400
Meals (per week): $100 - $125
Transportation (total): $300 (semester), $200 (summer)
Local Phone Number and/or Phone: Prices vary
In addition to the program costs paid to MU, you will have expenses associated with international travel and living abroad. The amounts listed are estimated costs based on current exchange rates and on the information provided to us by your host institution and past participants. Depending on your personal spending habits, you may spend more or less than the figures provided.
Please note that these expenses do not include vacation travel or sightseeing. All fees are subject to change and without notice.
Student housing is provided through this program. All participants are required to live in program housing. The fully furnished apartments are located in the historic city center of Florence. The residence-style housing is centrally located within close proximity to campus, busses lines, and provides housewares, bedding, air conditioning, and wi-fi. All utilities are included, and there is onsite maintenance available during business hours.
Students should expect to room with one or more students during the course of the program in shared bedrooms. Single rooms are not guaranteed and may not be available if requested. Roommate requests are taken into account but not guaranteed when housing is decided.
Students should expect to room with one or more students during the course of the program in shared bedrooms. Single rooms are not guaranteed and may not be available if requested. Roommate requests are taken into account but not guaranteed when housing is decided.
The financial aid you normally receive for your classes at MU is usually applicable. Please visit with your Financial Aid Advisor at the MU Student Financial Aid Office (11 Jesse Hall) to explore your financial aid options: 573-882-7506.
In addition, the School of Journalism offers need-based travel scholarships each semester and you can also apply for additional scholarships through the MU International Center (Memorial Union). Watch our website, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook for special program scholarship announcements each semester.
Finally, check out our special page on Funding Your Experience for more information including links to our MU Journalism Abroad Travel Scholarship, MUJA Travel Writer Scholarship, external scholarship options, and Steps to Apply for Financial Aid.
In addition, the School of Journalism offers need-based travel scholarships each semester and you can also apply for additional scholarships through the MU International Center (Memorial Union). Watch our website, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook for special program scholarship announcements each semester.
Finally, check out our special page on Funding Your Experience for more information including links to our MU Journalism Abroad Travel Scholarship, MUJA Travel Writer Scholarship, external scholarship options, and Steps to Apply for Financial Aid.
We have recently altered our application process and are fully paper-based. Information regarding our full process can be found on the "How to Apply" page, which can be accessed via the navigation window or by clicking the button below.
Please remember to hand in all items by the deadline for your individual program.
Please remember to hand in all items by the deadline for your individual program.
Drew Dumas and Daniella Ricciardi are full-time journalism study abroad student advisors. You can schedule an appointment through MU Connect. Please direct program specific inquiries to their email addresses:
[email protected]
[email protected]
Our office is located at 280 Gannett Hall.
For more information, please visit our Contact page.
[email protected]
[email protected]
Our office is located at 280 Gannett Hall.
For more information, please visit our Contact page.
