Program

In the fall of 2011 Lake Superior College will return to Florence for the Semester in Italy program. The classes, Italian faculty, and housing arrangements will be facilitated by Santa Reparata International School of Art. SRISA is a 40-year-old, non-profit organization that was chosen by LSC because of an ability to work with community colleges and provide the greatest flexibility for our specific needs. The Florence campus is just a short distance from Bruneleschi’s ancient Duomo but the building, the classrooms and computer center are very much up-to-date.

   Classroom                   Classroom               Computer Center

Florence is by some accounts one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is not sweeping and majestic like Paris, nor is it bustling and cosmopolitan like London. Florence embodies an old-world charm enhanced by art, character and culture. The city’s history dates back to the Etruscan era of 200 B.C.. The heritage of power, banking, mercantile industry, political intrigue and religious fervor is evidenced in every sector of the city. Living and studying in Florence is much like taking up full-time residence in an art museum.

Florentines have lived as a self-governing people for centuries. Their sense of independence is so deep that they fought the police as recently as 1990 to stop the San Lorenzo Market from being closed. It was in 1870 that Italy was fully united, but for Florence, independence and individuality are almost as important as family. Florence was the capitol of the newly created Kingdom of Italy from 1865 to 1871.

Florence had a very powerful family, the Medici, who influenced the city for centuries. In the twelfth century the Medici became rulers although not political office holders. It was Cosimo il Vecchio (1389-1464) who started the first aspects of a powerful, banking family and his grandson Lorenzo de' Medici (1449-92) called "Il Magnifico" (the Magnificent) who is often considered the father of the Renaissance. Lorenzo surrounded himself with the greatest thinkers of the day and supported artists that led to the city's pre-eminent position in artistic style and influence. Michelangelo was encouraged and supported at an early age by Il Magnificent.

SRISA Photo Studio