On Friday my uni approved me studying abroad at http://saci-florence.edu/. I'm an illustrator and art historian, and SACI has some really great on-site art history and restoration courses. Combine that with cheap and quick fieldtrips to the rest of Italy, as well as finally getting to live away from home (I'm living with my parents throughout college to save money), and its just about perfect. My college is covering tuition, so all thats left is room and board.

Which is the problem.

Although Florence isn't as expensive as Baltimore, the fees still add up. Housing is 4,600, there is a $800 activity fee and a $500 refundable program deposit. The ticket there, food, and supplies adds up to probably another 1,500. Thats roughly 7,400 in all, which is a lot more money than I have.

I have about 1,000 in savings, and can maybe pull another 400 from my college account. I'll be looking for jobs over the summer, but since I don't have a car and there is hardly anything within comfortable walking distance, employment is a bit iffy. What I need from you guys is ideas on how else I can scrunch up some cash.

One idea I've been thinking of is some sort of http://www.kickstarter.com//donation pool, with some sort of arty rewards for my backers (Photos and texture packs? High quality scans of everything I make in Florence? Commissions?). I've heard of these things working for others in the past, but am still iffy on it. What do you personally think of them (i.e. is it a jerk move to ask others to contribute to something that is not a need)? Would you theoretically donate, and if so, what reward would you expect?

Before someone mentions porm and/or stripping (because people inevitably do): 1) why would you pay to see me naked if you can just google "naked lady?" 2) I have no sense of rhythm.

Feel free to share your own study abroad experiences, too.

That Kickstarter thing looks interesting, I had not heard of this. I don't have any really practical solutions or ideas, but I do hope you can pull together the money - it sounds like an amazing experience. I had a friend who did a similar program years ago, spent an entire year in Florence and loved it. Would your parents help out a little?

All I can say is that you are extremely lucky. Wish I could help but I too am unemployed.

I hear the hay carts there are really durable

I don't think anyone on the forums would actually suggest that...

On topic that's aweomse My cousin spent the past semester at Pisa but he ended up visiting all of Italy and I think Florence was his favourite city.

Congratulations! I hope you can find a way to pay for it! I'd really look into scholarships and grants, it might not be too late to apply.

Studying aboard has always been the luxury for the riches and those good enough to get schoolarship. Good luck.

for how long do you plan to stay in Italy ? 4500 for housing is much for a short time but 1500 for food, tickets and stuff seems not really much for a long time ?

My guess is for one term?

Unless you are in the EU and go to another EU university of course...

Start of September to mid December. 4600 is the college provided housing (independent apartments in the city center, utilities provided, with roomates). I'm not really up to finding my own place and going through all the legal troubles (unless someone here lives in Florence and wants to let me sleep on their couch for 3 months? ). I checked out the group tickets (preferable, since they get you right to the college and include orientation), and they come out to 1,300, making my initial estimate a bit small. I don't eat much though, and am not above eating nothing but pasta for 3 months, so I don't expect my food bills to be high.

Could you post some of your drawings/illustrations? Pwease?



What do you mean by housing? Do you mean dorms or is 4.600 an estimation for the general cost of rent there?



I know it's not dignifying, but can't your parents help you out?

I'm not a parent, but I imagine that if I was one, I'd be scared silly if my beloved daughter would leave home for Italy for a whole year. College or no college.



I'm going to quote both Mary Schmich and Baz Luhrmann (who are both wiser than you) on this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTJ7AzBIJoI



First year in Architecture. Hope to study in Barcelona some day, but I don't plan on staying there. I love my city.

Nice one! lol

Try tackling Borgia messengers in Firenze until you have enough money to go.

Student loans? I know here in England that if you apply to study abroad you get the cap on student loans lifted to around ￡5,500 on the year you go, though that's probably means tested.

Get a generous donation from an interested party (what I call asking my parents lol)

I'm so jealous! Good luck and enjoy! :goodjob:

Exactly. US universities are 100 times more expensive than most EU ones.

That's awesome!

Italy is in my number 1 spot for places to visit.

I don't know. Edinburgh is ￡15,000 if you come from outside the EU. It is just if you are within the EU that it is free (Apart from if you come from England, Wales or Northern Ireland, when it is about ￡2000 <_<)

Sure. I have an art blog at http://daryam.com/Blog/, and I've got some of my older stuff over at http://lady-nerevar.deviantart.com/gallery/?offset=0. CAUTION: The blog contains tasteful, artistic nudity, don't click if extra prudish. I'm not going to claim that I'm amazing or anything, hence I'm in school studying this stuff



They rent apartments for the students throughout the city. The 4,600 is the rent, utilities, and official government registration, as well as general support through the college. More info is http://www.saci-florence.edu/pagebase2.asp?s=85&id_001=263.



They can, to a degree. Between putting two kids though college, one in daycare (you'd be surprised how expensive it is), mortgage, bills, and general day-to-day stuff for a family of 6, theres not much left over. When I applied we talked about getting a loan for that amount, but that would still have to be paid back. I'm rather hesitant to into debt (even though I'll have to do it to get through college :sadvaultboy:), so I'd like to borrow as little as possible and get it paid back as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately Firenze is Florence soo....

Ah, fiscal responsibility! Good to see, good to see!

As for raising funds - its going to be hard. Without a car, its even harder. Any coffee shops on campus? You could always apply there (and if you have no barista skills, you can either learn on the job (if they're kind enough to let you) or take a 2/3 day course for something like $200. You should make that back in a couple of weekends. Getting a salaried/wage paying job is much much better than selling art pieces, not saying your art is crap but with the US being what it is today, everyone is a skin-flint...unless you play your market right. You know which parties usually have the most liberal with cash on campus? Stoners. And stoners love stoner art. Make it unique, make them cheap and most important of all, make it parts of it with glow in the dark paints. Motifs and symbols I'll leave up to you, though. How's your graphic design level? If its good enough, posters for other clubs and societies can be commissioned if you pitch your sales speech right. I run a uni sports club and what I wouldn't give to be able to have a graphic designer on retainer sometimes! Now, I know you mentioned stripping is out but you could look into modelling for art classes. I've heard they usually pay pretty well and since you're in the arts and design faculty anyway it should be even easier. 'course, if you're not comfortable with that then that's out too.

As for that kickstarter idea...its good. In fact, I would love to give you my money for a printed version of the "Bayeaux tapestry" re-imagined by, say, Titian or a stone carving/mural like in the http://www.cheatcc.com/imagespc/elderscrolls5skyrim_0.jpg.