Welcome to your study abroad journey! You are taking an incredibly important step toward exploring the world and making yourself career-ready for a global market. Studying in a new country builds independence, adaptability, and cross-cultural communication skills that employers as well as Graduate school admissions committees highly value!

This program aims to immerse students in Italy’s cultural and artistic landscape while exploring the significance of the African Diaspora. The four-week program is centered in Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance. Florence is a cosmopolitan city known for its art, culture, and for being a central economic hub. Exploring the African Diaspora in Italy reveals a hidden history where people of African descent were integral to the social and artistic fabric of cities like Florence, Venice, and Rome.

Course: The Italian Luxury Industry

While in Italy, students will be enrolled in a 3-credit course that blends history, craftsmanship, communication, consumer behavior, neuromarketing, business, and product management. The Italian Luxury Industry course will expose students to Italian businesses in the apparel, accessories, hospitality, and food sectors.

Through curated guest lectures and case studies, students will learn about African and Afro-Italian culture and will have access to the Black History Cultural & Art Center on campus.

Thi course is ideal for students in the following disciplines:

Sociology, Business, Art, Design, Communication, Hospitality, Fashion, Architecture, History

Two field trips to Rome and Venice are included.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: OCTOBER 22, 2026

You must make your FIRST INSTALLMENT BY: OCTOBER 22, 2026

This payment confirms your spot in the program, for housing and for your international flight. After this deadline, your placement will be based on availability and current individual flight pricing. Flight costs are likely to increase and you're not guaranteed space on the group flight.

BOOK your spot now!

Minimum Course Enrollment: 10 students

• Class in Florence: The Italian Luxury Industry.

• Day 1: Arrival and Housing Check-in.

• Day 2: Full Orientation - academic, housing, health and safety

• Day 3: First Day of Class and Welcome Gala

• Guided walk of the city’s main sites.

• Day Trip to Venice. Travel by bus or train to explore Venice, a unique labyrinth city of canals and Gothic palaces, built upon an archipelago that once served as the wealthiest maritime bridge between Europe and the African and Byzantine worlds. History indicates that there were Black gondoliers in Venice.

• Lecture on the African presence during the Renaissance or related topic.

• Class in Florence.

• Visits to Luxury Businesses.

• Lecture on identifying figures in art and society, reflecting a multi-ethnic Roman society.

• Weekend Travel to Rome to witness the classical and Baroque wonders of the sprawling "Eternal City". Enjoy a walking tour of the city center; visit the Colosseum, and the Sistine Chapel, including the incomparable painted ceiling by Michelangelo.

  • Includes one night in a hotel and two meals.

Dates and itinerary are subject to modification based on availability.

• Class in Florence.

• Visit to Luxury Businesses.

• Lecture on the "Black Italy" Movement; or related topic.

• Free weekend - no class on Friday.

Dates and itinerary are subject to modification based on availability.

• Class in Florence.

• Final Presentation, Exam.

• Farewell Dinner.

• Housing Check-Out and Flight back home.