Logistics

Cost

Without beating aroudn the bush, this program is expensive. If you havent taken a look at the budget sheet on the Global Learning Program page – you can find it here. The cost does vary each year but in general it costs about $5,000. This cost does not include a flight but more information on budget flights can be found below. Almost half of the cost is just tuition, during the summer credit hours are ~$250 each, and this course includes 8 credits, so that is $2000 right there.

The remaining cost goes to the program itself:

    • 3 weeks of immersive Italian culture and food!
    • 80-90% of all your meals are covered (good ITALIAN meals) all breakfasts and dinners, some lunches
    • 3 weeks of housing with an amazing Italian family home stay
    • Multiple museum entry fees AND personal tour guides
    • Multipe cooking classes, during each you learn how to make 3 different courses
    • Multiple trips out to the Tuscan country side

It would not be possible to do a program of similar intensity and immersion on your own for any cheaper. Gigi and the TA for the course do everything in their power to get the most out of the program for the students, making the maximum of every dollar and every minute.

Ways to make the most of the program costs:

Since you will have already bought a ticket to Europe some students choose to travel after the program to make the most of their time abroad. In some cases this can also lower the cost of a plane ticket by being more flexible with departure dates. Some students also have significant others/friends/family meet them in Florence to travel once the program ends.

Gigi also offers additional credits during the spring quarter prior and the fall quarter after that can be used as elective credits towards graduation. These credits can be included in the standard cost of 10-18 credits that is applied to students during the regular academic year.

Flights

Most flights cost about $600-800 depending on when you puchase them. Flights should not be purchased until Gigi or the TA has indicated the Global Learning has confirmed the program. Usually finding a round trip ticket from Seattle/Vancourver, BC to somewhere like London/Amsterdam/Zurich, then getting a hopper flight to/from your final destination can make the most financial sense.