Skip to main content Skip to secondary navigation

On-Site Requirements

Main content start

On-Site Program Requirements

Introductory Course (Italy and Italian Culture)

As of the 2020-21 Academic Year, OSPFLOR 15, now called Italy through the Florentine Piazzas, has become a mandatory course for all students enrolled in the Florence Program. Taking this class will ensure that everyone has the opportunity to gain academic exposure to the key aspects of Italian culture, the country's public debates, its contradictions, and complexities. This class, wildly popular among our past cohorts, is a riveting deep dive into Italy, which will make your understanding of the country, as well as your daily life, all the more meaningful and productive as skilled observers and true global citizens.

Language Requirement

All students are required to study or continue their study of the Italian language once in Florence.

Course Credit

All courses at the Florence Program grant credit toward Stanford graduation and many classes count for a number of different undergraduate majors and/or fulfill a particular Ways requirement. Students must enroll in a minimum of twelve units from the courses offered through the program (local university courses are not included and must be taken above 12 units of Stanford credit). For a list of all BOSP courses offered in the current academic year and planned for the next, and for information on which courses earn departmental credit or fulfill Ways, please refer to the BOSP course database. For information on courses scheduled for the current academic year and for enrollment, please refer to Axess.

Research Opportunities and Undergraduate Student Grants for Research

Students in Florence are encouraged to be ambitious and resourceful in taking advantage of the unique research opportunities offered by studying overseas. You are advised to work in close consultation with both the center director and your faculty advisor to plan a project.

Several grants are available through VPUE that can help support research abroad, including the Chappell Lougee Scholarship and Major Grant. For specific details regarding grant deadlines, eligibility, and policies for off-campus research, please visit the Student Grants Website.