Florence Program Information
Florence Education Abroad
If you're intrigued by the idea of studying abroad in Florence, Italy, your first step is simple: get more information! Kent State is ready to answer your questions about our education abroad program in Florence. Read more below if you want to learn about the orientation process, social activities, and housing for Florence.
Orientation
Before you leave and upon your arrival in Florence, you'll participate in an orientation designed
to help you make the most out of your study abroad experience. In orientation, your goals
will be to...
- Orient yourself to the city of Florence
- Develop the awareness you need to observe and learn from different cultures
- Discover the businesses and organizations in Florence
-
Access the tools you will need to succeed academically, personally, and safely
within the policies and responsibilities of the 17-week program
Download Florence Social Activity Information
Housing and Campus
When you study at the Palazzo dei Cerchi, you get a feel for both modern and 13th-century Florence. Palazzo dei Cerchi is a prestigious and ancient palace located in the center of Florence acquired by Kent State in 2003. A complete renovation was undertaken from 2003-2004, maintaining the Cerchi's original exterior, preserving the interior wall frescoes and installing state-of-the-art technology.
A 10 to 20 minute walk from the Cerchi takes you to the Kent State Florence apartments. Optional home stays can be arranged by the program staff.
To fill out this form, please view the full site.
Program Advisor
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Tour the KSU Italy apartments and see student interviews
Take a tour of the Palazzo dei Cerchi
Florence On-Site Staff
Fabrizio Ricciardelli, Director
Fabrizio Ricciardelli earned his undergraduate degree in Medieval History at the University of Florence and his Ph.D. at the University of Warwick in England.
 Since 2004 he was professor of "Renaissance History†at Georgetown University. Between 2010-2012 he was Academic Director of the Georgetown University program in Florence. In 2010 he became Chairman of the scientific committee "Villa Le Balze Studiesâ€.

In 2012 he was appointed Director of the Kent State University program in Florence. Ricciardelli worked for the National Geographic on The Secrets of Florence (2009) and for the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation on Giorgio Vasari and the Italian Renaissance (2010). His academic experience includes journal articles, conference presentations, and several reviews.
He has authored and co-authored numerous books on institutional and political history. His main field of study is Italian city-states in the social, economic, political, and cultural landscape of Medieval Europe. Some of his publications are: The Politics of Exclusion in Early Renaissance Italy (2007); I luoghi del sacro. Il sacro e la città tra Medioevo ed Età moderna (2008). The Culture of Violence in Renaissance Italy (2012); Umanesimo e università in Toscana (1400-1600) (2012).
 Ricciardelli has recently embarked upon the study of the relationship between emotions and passions as forms of political persuasion in Renaissance Italy.
Cecilia Angeletti, Financial Manager, European Programs
Angeletti earned her degree in Economics from the University of Perugia. Angeletti has studied at the University of Bath and in Brussels, where she worked in public relations for Italian Development Partners European Consultants After her return to Florence she worked for several financial institutions. She joined the Florence staff in 2002.

Simone Falcone, Facility Manager
Falcone is a native of Florence. He joined the staff of KSU-Florence in 2005 and lends technical support to the Palazzo dei Cerchi and Palazzo Bartolini Baldelli's state-of-the-art classroom technology. His background includes graduation from Scientific Lyceum and then specialization in Sound Engineering. Part of his employment experience includes working for a software company in Florence, during which time he also pursued further studies in sound and audio equipment. Since 2002 he has had a passion for music and recording that translates into working as a sound engineer for various international groups in Florence.Rovena Gjoni, Financial Assistant
Gjoni earned her degree in Economics, from the University of Florence. In March 2011 she participated in the “Firenze crea Impresa†project, organized by Confindustria Firenze. In June 2011 she participated in the 13th edition of the “Premio per il Marketing†ranking 29th. She joined the KSU-Florence Staff in January 2012.Marijke Huegaerts, Assistant to the Director for Academic Support
Huegaerts is from Belgium and earned her B.A. in modern languages and management. Following graduation she worked for a Dutch - Hungarian venture in Brussels. Next she studied and worked in Australia then returned to Brussels to join the staff of Right Associates Inc., the first American out-placement company in Belgium. In 1991 Huegaerts moved to Florence and was an admissions officer for an Italian language school. She joined the staff of Kent State in Florence in 2001.

Maria Laura Steinberg, Accounting and Administrative Assistant
Steinberg is from Buenos Aires where she graduated from Instituto Superior del Profesorado Presbítero A. M. Sáenz as an English teacher. She has taken English language specialization courses at The City Literary Institute of London. Steinberg has taught English as a Second Language at several high schools and companies in Buenos Aires. She has been living in Florence since 2002 and she joined the KSU-Florence staff in 2004.