Nearby are beaches, mountains, and other Italian cities, including Rome, which is two hours away. The Scuola Lorenzo de'Medici, a private educational institution, has classroom buildings and offices in a renovated town villa, with fine studio space close by. Its language faculty are highly trained in teaching Italian to foreigners, and the art faculty are well known in their fields. Students may take 12 to 16 credits in a variety of disciplines, including one required course in Italian language, which is offered at all levels from beginning through advanced. No previous knowledge of Italian is required.
Classes are small, with strong emphasis placed on student-faculty interaction.
The program offered at the Scuola Lorenzo de'Medici has been cited as one of the finest studio art programs in all of Italy, and individualized instruction is given with strong emphasis on creativity and craftsmanship. A 2.5 GPA is required, and official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose are necessary for admission to the program. As a complement to the academic program, students take day trips to nearby towns and may participate in optional field trips to Rome, Siena, Assisi, and Venice, which are led by faculty from the school. The second option is strongly recommended for students who wish to share their experience with Italian and international students.