FAQ

School Information

May I sit in on a class?
Yes. Please make reservations by contacting the following offices:

Accademia Riaci Admissions Office (Florence, Italy)
OPEN: Mon-Fri, 10:00-17:00
PHONE: (+39) 055289831
email: accademiariaci@accademiariaci.info

International Tokyo Office (Tokyo, Japan)
OPEN: Tue-Sat, 09:15-18:15
PHONE: (+81) 03-5449-8200*
email: ladovina@ladovina.net

*Drop the "0" from the area code "03", when calling Japan from overseas.

Do you have admission requirements?
Yes. The Basic, One-Year, and Master Courses, along with the Pre-college Summer Credit Program have admission requirements. See the admissions page for more information: ADMISSIONS

How do I apply? Where can I find the application form?
Application forms are downloadable online. Click here for more information on application procedures for the the Academic Year and Semester Programs. For the Summer Programs, click here .

What is the policy for International Students?
Accademia Riaci welcomes students from all over the world. The diverse background of Accademia Riaci's students creates a rich multicultural community that promotes the exchange of ideas and viewpoints. The staff is multilingual and ready to assist international students wherever they attend our programs.

Are there courses in English?
Yes! The summer, One-Year, Semester and Master programs offer a wide variety of programs in English. See our courses.

How long are the programs?
[Basic, One-Year, & Master Courses] 9-12 months, depending on your course.
[Semester Program] 4-5 months, depending upon the Semester attended.
[Summer Art Programs]1-2 months in June, July, and August
[Pre-College Summer Credit Program] 1 month in June, July, and August
[Summer Cooking Programs] 1-12 weeeks in June, July and August
[Short Art Courses] From 1 week and above
Students may choose the length of the Summer Programs (Excluding The Pre-College Summer Credit Program) that best fits their schedule and needs.

When are the Application Deadlines?
Deadlines vary in each course.
- Basic, One-Year / Semester, Master Courses: Admission Form and Enrollment fee needs to arrive at the Admission Office at least two months prior to the beginning of class .

- Summer & Short Programs: The Admission Form, tuition and fees need to be received by Admission Office at least 30 days prior to the beginning of class.

IF YOU HAVE MISSED THE DEADLINE please contact Admissions Office or the International tokyo Office IMMEDEIATELY! The program you are interested in may still have some vacancies left despite the fact that you've missed the deadline.

Is the enrollment fee refundable?
The enrollment fee is NOT REFUNTDABLE, unless in cases where your enrollment has been rejected by the school.

What should I expect to do on the first day of school?
We will wait for you at 9 am at the secretary office in Florence.

Do I have to take an Italian Class?
No, you don't have to take an Italian class. However, if you take courses offered only in Italian (Basic Course, Apprenticeship in One-Year/Master or Ceramics in Master), sufficient Italian language proficiency is a must.

Do I get a diploma at the end of the course?
Yes. Accademia Riaci grants a diploma upon successful completion of the course and the Final Exam when required.

What is the minimum and maximum course load?
Students will take a set number of courses in each academic program. All of the semester academic programs offered at Accademia Riaci are worth between 15-30 credits. During the summer, students earn an average of 6 credits based on academic program.

Do I need to have a portfolio?
A student portfolio is required for admissions toThe Master Courses and for Transfer Students. It must include 12 art samples that best reflect the student's artistic style. For other courses and conditions, portfolio submission is optional.

How many class absences are allowed?
As a minimum of 80% of class attendance is required for graduation and Diploma eligibility, absences are generally not allowed.

How will my grades and transcript be sent to my home university?
Your grades will be sent to the address you provide us.

When will I get my transcript?
You will receive them within two months after you finish your semester.

How will I get to class?
You can walk or take local buses. There are no subways n Florence.

It is the teaching method different than that in my country?
The teaching method in Italy may be very different from those in your home country. This is a part of the experience of being a student in Italy. In each country the educational system has its own characteristics. Often students meet together in small groups to study together. Joining one of these study groups is quite easy and will be very helpful in making the transition into a new school system.

Who are the local representatives?
The Local Representatives work to inform students a school information. They are motivated by the opportunity to work with young people from other nations, and they have a true cultural and educational interest.

Housing

Where will I live during the course?
Accademia Riaci can introduce you to safe, convenient, and affordable accommodations. You must book as early as possible to secure accommodations.

For summer cooking program, you will stay in a shared Student Flat.

Do you have a dormitory?
The school has several Student Flats (shared appartments) reserved for student use, insted of a dormitory.

What are the meal arrangements?
Students usually eat out or cook their own meals in the Student Flats. Fresh foods are readily available in both grocery stores and indoor and outdoor markets throughout the city. The school does not have a cafeteria.

Financial Information

Are scholarships available?
Yes. Scholarship is available from private loan companies, or Directly from Accademia Riaci, regardless of your nationality or current residance. The coverage of the scholarship will depend on each student's work level. Please read below and send the required documents to the Admissions Office or the International Tokyo Office, by three months prior to your course commencement date.

Required documents
Accademia Riaci Application form
1-2 pages statement of objectives (Italian or English)
Portfolio of 12 Art works (CD-ROM preferred)
A portfolio description sheet listing each piece by number, size, medium and date completed.
2-3 recommendation letter from faculty, work supervisor, or any authorised personnel with knowledge in your artistic style.
**You MUST write which course you are applying to. If the course name is not written, we cannot send your documents to selection committee for scholarship.

Does Accademia Riaci provide financial aid?
There are currently no government funds or endowments available for financial assistance. However, students have consistently received financial assistance from private educational loan companies. You can also apply for direct scholarship from the school.

Can I work in Italy even if I am NOT Italian?
According to Italian law, foreign students are allowed to work part time in Italy only if it is less than 80 hours per week. Language proficiency in Italian is a must.

Practical Information

Do I need a visa to study in Florence?
Yes. Accademia Riaci or our information center will send you visa information and instructions once you have been accepted into the program. All students can apply through the Consulate in person regardless of place of residence in your country. Because all consulates differ, it is very important that you call the consulate as early as possible to ensure that the process goes smoothly for you. Give yourself ample time because you will not be able to attend the program without a valid visa.

How can I access my email in Florece?
You may want to try to open free, web based email account like hotmail or yahoo mail, that you can access freely from anywhere in the world. Internet cafe's are easily found throughout the city.

How should I take money in Italy?
Below are some reccomended options :
1.) Cash: You should bring some cash changed into EURO prior to your departure, for unexpected expenses and enough to get you throught the first few days.
2.) ATM / Bancomat cash cards: Bank Cash cards with CIRRUS, Plus or Visa will give access to your bank account on machines with these symbols. You need to memorize your PIN (Personal identification Number) in order to access you account.
3.) Credit Cards: Visa and Master cards are widely acccepted in Italy.
4.) Travelers Checks: Although it is rare that you cna pay directly with a travelers, check, most major banks will cash them for you. be sure to bring your passport to the bank for identification purposes.

Should I open a bank account?
If you have a bank account with an international cash card (compatible to the "PLUS", "CIRRUS", or "VISA", youwill have direct access to your account through the compatible ATM Bank booths, making a local bank account unneccessary. If you wish to open a bank account in Italy, you should consult directly with the bank of your choice, and your current bank.

Should I bring my computer?
Computer usage in Italy is changing quickly. Keep in mind thast phone lines are not available for student use in the Flats, which also limits your access to the internet in them. For email and basic internet use, affordable Internet Cafe's are available throughout the city.

What can I do in my free time?
Florence is a city of endless possibilities! You can't possibly see all of the hundreds of historical monuments and museums that are located throughout Florence! Morning might find you taking espresso with the locals at a sidewalk cafe, sitting on the walls along the Arno River, reading a book in the sun or watching the day's bread being made in a pasticceria. Spend the afternoon hiking in Fiesole, watching the tourists crowd around the Gates of Paradise or shopping in Mercato San Lorenzo. Eating an Italian meal, chatting at a wine bar, or dancing at one of the many discotecas...all of these activities can take up your whole evening! On the weekends, you can travel to the Tuscan beaches, Rome, Milan and any other city. Do everything that you can, everyday, because your time abroad flies by!

What is the weather like?
The weather in Florence is comparatively mild. The summers are quite warm and often sticky. The winter brings the cold wind from the North. While the surrounding mountains get most of the snow, rain does fall frequently. Check out the page for the most up to date info on weather in Florence:click here.

What kind of clothes should I bring?
Comfortable warm clothes for the fall and winter, lighter clothes for the spring and a nice outfit or two for special occasions.

How much money will I need a week for daily life?
It depends on what you want to do. Habits vary enormously from student to student. If you do not include travel or leisure expenditures but only the very basic needs to survive you can budget a minimum of 120 euro per week.

Does Italy have the same voltage as the United States?
No, the voltage in Italy is different, and we advise you not to buy transformers because generally they do not work properly, and you run the risk of blowing the fuse. It is better to buy hairdryers and other small electric supplies locally.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Admissions Office: Accademia Riaci, Via de' Conti 4, 50123 Firenze, Italia;
+39-055289831 fax: +39-055289831;
e-mail: accademiariaci@accademiariaci.info