USF Florence Italy Study Abroad Program Gets Intimate with Relationships
What better location than Florence Italy to take an Intimate Relationships course? The course, which is taught by Dr. Rick Weinberg, Associate Professor in the USF Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling Program, is part of the USF in Florence Summer Study Abroad Program. One of the most popular among USF's approximately three-dozen summer study abroad programs, Florence surrounds students with incomparable art, architecture, ambiance and unique cuisine that have made it famous for centuries.
“Intimate relationships are universal across all lands and cultures. Italy, the ‘land of romance’ is the perfect setting for the six-weeks course,“ said Dr. Weinberg, who has served as a program director since 2013. "The course examines what love is, why people are attracted to one another, how peoople fall in love, then maintain or fail to maintain these relationships, how to survive with self-esteem intact when a person is dumped, why some partners cheat, how the bitter wounds of infidelity can heal, and what successful couples do to repair and improve their intimate relationships over time. We use videos, music, guest speakers, and lots of discussion to explore the empirical research.”
“Going to Florence was an experience of a lifetime,” said 2015 summer student Anna Margiotta. “Dr. Weinberg’s class was really cool. It was set up in a way that allowed all the students in the class to become familiar and comfortable with each other. We all have very different opinions about things, but we were able to freely discuss them with each other without the fear of judgments.”
During summer 2015, 83 students participated in the 2015 Semester Abroad program in Florence. Dr. Weinberg’s class had 18 students. (Photo right: USF in Florence study-abroad students in front of Piazza San Marco in Venice.)
USF partners with the Florence University of the Arts (FUA) in collaboration with the University of Florida. Graduate and undergraduate students may participate in one of two summer sessions or combine them for a longer, more in-depth experience. Over the two sessions, courses may be taken in Italian Language, Italian Culture, Culinary Arts, Business, Political Science, Psychology, Literature, Studio Art, Art History, History, and many more.
FUA provides centrally located classrooms and facilities including library and computer lab, as well as recreational and informational programs that augment classroom study. The program also provides carefully-selected apartment housing within walking distance of the school.
More information: USF in Florence Summer Study Abroad Program
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