Program Location
Florence, Italy
 Florence is the perfect setting for scholarly pursuits. As the foundation for the Humanism movement and the cradle of the Renaissance, Florence always has been tied to great human disciplines such as arts and letters, science and politics. Dante, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Galileo, among others, are all names linked with Florence. Florence's historical role in enlightenment and commerce—and its contemporary role as an academic hub—draw interest and visitors from all over the world, making it an ideal site for European policy studies.
Although its historical and cultural contributions are immense, Florence retains the charm and atmosphere of a smaller city.  Florence is quite manageable by foot and is serviced by an excellent public transportation system. In minutes you can find yourself at the famous Ponte Vecchio, Il Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Santa Croce and other historic piazzas which have remained largely unchanged from their medieval or Renaissance beginnings. A twenty-minute bus ride will take you to the near peak of Fiesole, with its Etruscan roots and notable archaeological sites. A ten-minute hike from the River Arno will take you to the hilltop of Piazzale Michelangelo, which provides one of the best views of this magnificent city. The city also has a major airport and full rail service, making travel to other European cities convenient and affordable.
Click here for an article from US Airways magazine describing the particular neighborhood in Florence where the program is located.
Italy and the EU
Italy is an integral player in the development and progress of the European Union. In 1957, the Treaty of Rome established the European Economic Community, the foundation of what would later become the EU. Italy was  one of the six founding members of the EU and continues to be an active participant in the integration process.
Florence is the location of the only entirely EU-funded educational institution, the European University Institute. The EUI was created in 1972 by the EU’s founding states to provide advanced academic training in a European perspective and to promote research at the highest level. Its library remains the official repository for EU documents. The University of Florence is also one of the leading institutions of higher education in Italy and the EU, with strengths in arts and letters, political science, architecture, law and the sciences. JMU has strong connections with both institutions, and students in the program have access to faculty, libraries and other resources from each. |
