Italy: Music, History and Interior Design

Students will examine Florence through an interdisciplinary lens by connecting music, world history, interior design, architecture, and cultural traditions. Guided reflections, activities, and course assignments will encourage students to consider how music, history, architecture, furnishings, color, and interior spaces influence one another.

Program Highlights

• Explore Florence, the historic center of the Renaissance and one of Italy’s most influential artistic and cultural cities.
• Examine the connections among music, history, architecture, interior design, and Italian culture.
• Visit the Accademia Gallery and view significant works of Renaissance art.
• Explore Palazzo Pitti and examine its architecture, interiors, furnishings, and historical significance.
• Visit the Cathedral Archives at Santa Maria del Fiore and learn about the history and development of Florence’s cathedral complex.
• Participate in a specialized visit to the Lyceum.
• Explore the Museum of Musical Instruments and learn about the development of instruments and musical traditions.
• View the Cristofori collection and examine the history and evolution of keyboard instruments.
• Visit the Da Vinci Museum and explore the relationship among art, science, engineering, and innovation.
• Participate in hands-on interior design workshops connecting historical traditions with contemporary practice.
• Complete activities focused on chromatic perception and the use of color within interior environments.
• Examine how political, religious, artistic, and social developments influenced Florentine buildings and creative traditions.
• Complete guided reflections and interdisciplinary assignments connecting course concepts with the program experience.
• Experience Italian food, public spaces, daily life, and regional cultural traditions.
• Visit the medieval towns of San Gimignano and Monteriggioni during a final cultural excursion. 

Travel Dates

• Summer: May 17-30, 2027
• Program length: 14 days 

Program Location

• Florence, Italy
• San Gimignano, Italy
• Monteriggioni, Italy 

Florence will serve as the primary location, with additional cultural excursions included in the itinerary.

Program Eligibility

• Central Piedmont curriculum students with a minimum 2.0 GPA
• Curriculum students from other North Carolina colleges or universities with a minimum 2.0 GPA
• This program requires interviews after completed applications are reviewed.   

Academics

Spring 2027

Students must select one or more of the following courses (specific sections TBD):

• MUS 110: Music Appreciation
• HIS 112: World Civilizations II
• DES 255: History of Interiors and Furnishings I 

Summer 2027

• All participating students must enroll in:
• TVL 7880: Cultural Immersion (specific section TBD) 

Program Leaders

• Stephanie Lawrence-White – Instructor, Music
• Callista Langhorne – Instructor, Interior Design
• Teresa Hall – Instructor, History; Director, Center for Global Engagement

Money Matters

Billable Costs

Estimated billable program costs: $5200 per student. Billable costs are paid to the Center for Global Engagement at the college’s cashier’s office. Billable program costs include:

• Application fee
• Airfare and local transportation
• Lodging
• Some meals
• Academic and professional site visits
• Cultural excursions and program activities
• Provider and program-related costs
• Travel insurance
• Optional single room additional charge – $1200 

Non-billable Costs

Students are responsible to pay for the following expenses directly:

• Passport and visa fees, if applicable
• Meals not included in the itinerary
• Personal expenses and souvenirs
• Optional activities outside the official itinerary
• Transportation or expenses not associated with scheduled program activities
• Tuition and course registration fees (TVL 7880 & MUS 110, HIS 112, or DES 255). Check with the Financial Aid Office to determine if your course registration can be covered with your financial aid. 

Scholarships

Scholarships toward billable program costs are available through the Center for Global Engagement and several external organizations. Please visit the “Scholarships” page for information about these scholarships. Note the following scholarship deadlines:

• Gilman International Scholarship (external) & Gilman Stem Supplemental Award (external) - application open:
  • Mid-August 2026 – October 1, 2026
  • Mid-January 2027 – February 25, 2027
• Gilman-McCain Scholarship (external) - application open:
  • Mid-August 2026 – October 1, 2026
  • Mid-November 2026 – January 7, 2027
• Central Piedmont Study Abroad Scholarships (internal) - application opens mid-August:
  • October 1, 2026: Priority Deadline
  • December 4, 2026: Final Deadline 

How to Apply

Apply to the study abroad program by clicking the Apply Now button below.  

• Choose which study abroad program you will apply for.
• Log in using your Central Piedmont username and password.
• Complete the Study Abroad application thoughtfully and in its entirety, including the video submission and essay questions. Studying abroad is an educational opportunity; your application should demonstrate your commitment to and interest in this program.  
• Pay the $100 nonrefundable application fee and follow the instructions to submit proof of this payment on the Campus Community website. This step is required, and your application will not be considered until this application fee is paid. 

Apply Now

Note:

• You must complete all steps for your application to be considered.
• Some programs will require a personal interview. You will be contacted to schedule an interview after completing the steps above. 

Questions?

Direct questions to the Center for Global Engagement:  

• Email
• Phone: 704-330-6167
• Office: Overcash 303 (Central Campus)