Summer Internships in Italy - Travel

Fashion and Design Practice

• Program Orientation
• Travel Arrangements
• On Site Transportation
• Entry Requirements for U.S. Citizens
• Entry Requirements for Non-U.S. Citizens
• Insurance
• LGBTQIA+ Travelers
• U.S. Department of State

Program Orientation

Pre-Departure Orientation

Before departure, you'll attend a required program orientation led by UC Davis Study Abroad and the faculty instructor. This session prepares you for living and working in Florence by covering academics, internship expectations, travel logistics, health and safety, intercultural adjustment, and program policies. You'll also have the opportunity to meet your fellow participants and ask questions before departure.

Prior to orientation, you'll receive a Program-Specific Guide with detailed information about packing, arrival, communication, and preparing for your internship.

On-Site Orientation

After arriving in Florence, you'll participate in a required orientation led by the Institute for American Universities (IAU). This orientation is designed to help you transition into your new home, workplace, and community before beginning your internship.

Topics typically include:

• Navigating Florence and using public transportation 
• Local customs and cultural expectations 
• Workplace etiquette and professional expectations in Italy 
• Health, safety, and emergency procedures 
• Housing information and neighborhood resources 
• Using IAU facilities and student services 
• Meeting program staff and fellow interns 

Orientation also includes opportunities to explore the city, become familiar with your neighborhood, and learn how to commute confidently to your internship.

Travel Arrangements

Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel to Florence. Once the program is confirmed and your internship placement has been finalized, UC Davis Study Abroad will provide detailed instructions for booking flights. Do not purchase airfare until you receive these instructions.

IAU will provide arrival instructions, including how to travel from the airport to your housing and what to expect during check-in.

Because this is a UC Davis Summer Abroad program rather than a direct enrollment at an Italian university, participants enter Italy as tourists. Students planning additional travel, study, or internship experiences before or after the program are responsible for ensuring they meet all applicable entry and visa requirements. UC Davis Study Abroad can provide enrollment verification letters upon request.

Getting Around Florence

Florence is a highly walkable city, and many students are able to walk from their housing to their internship each day. Depending on your placement, you may also commute by local bus or regional train. Some internships are located outside the city center and may require a commute of up to 45 minutes.

Transportation costs between your housing and internship are not included in the program fee.

During on-site orientation, IAU staff will introduce you to Florence's public transportation system, explain how to purchase transit passes, and provide guidance on navigating your daily commute.

Entry Requirements for U.S. Citizens

A valid passport is required for this program. A visa is not required for U.S. citizens for tourist stays up to 90 days. The 90-day period begins when entering the Schengen Area.

Entry Requirements for Non-U.S. Citizens

Only students who are passport holders in which Italy has a visa waiver are eligible for this internship program. Passport holders who would require a visa to travel to Italy or who hold a European passport would not be eligible due to the Italian laws surrounding unpaid internship placements. Please contact the Program Coordinator to verify your passport eligibility status.

A valid passport is required for this program. Non-U.S. citizens should check for visa and other entry requirements via the consulate of their travel destination(s): Consulate General of Italy in San Francisco.

You are responsible for obtaining your own visa. Study Abroad will supply a verification of enrollment or other necessary documents for non-U.S. citizens upon request.

International students in the United States on an F-1 or J-1 visa interested in studying abroad should ensure the U.S. visa in their passport has at least 90 days validity remaining whenever they travel abroad. If the U.S. visa expires or is about to expire (even if the I-20 is current), students may be required to apply for the visa to their study abroad country in their home country.

Non-U.S. citizens unable to gain access to the study abroad country will be subject to cancellation fees as shown in the cancellation schedule. For this reason, international students are highly encouraged to research entry to their destination country well in advance, and before enrolling in the program.

Insurance