How do I choose what classes to take abroad?

Figuring out what courses you want to take abroad can seem like a daunting task. It is my hope that sharing my academic experience abroad will help future study abroad students understand what to look for when making these decisions for themselves. Let’s get into it! I studied in Florence, Italy at Florence University of the Arts during the Spring semester of 2025. 

During my semester abroad, I took five courses for a total of 15 credits, as required by my home university, Indiana University Bloomington. Students from IU were also required to take at least one 3-week intensive course, as well as an Italian Language course. I chose to kill two birds with one stone for these requirements, and took a 3-week intensive Italian Language course right at the beginning of my program.

I spent my first 3 weeks in Florence learning the local language. I learned basic sentence structure, popular slang and lingo for the area, and language used in common conversations I would likely have during my time abroad, including how to order at a restaurant and navigate transportation systems. My intensive Italian course definitely set me up for success in Florence by giving me a comprehensive introduction to how to speak Italian. After this 3-week period, I took the other 12 credits at the same time, with each of the four courses meeting once a week.

One of the classes I took during this time was called #MeToo and Sexual Harassment. As one of my majors is gender studies, this was my favorite class I took abroad. It extensively covered topics like feminist theory and history, sexual harassment with a focus on the #MeToo movement and other recent issues.

I also took a course called Food of Italy: Regional Cultures, which was structured as half lecture, half hands-on cooking class, specifically tailored to the different regions of Italy. Another course I took was Art, Food, Fashion, and Wine: Creative Advertising of Italian Destinations. This counted for credit in my second major, Media Creative Advertising. In this course, we learned about the history and strategy involved in Italian advertising as well as the advertising of Italy itself, through interactive discussion and lecture.

The final course I took during this time was Love Letters of Great Men and Women. This course focused on the dynamics of romantic and intimate relationships in Italy and around the world, by way of analyzing love letters written by and to famous public figures throughout history. This course also extensively covered the topic of gender roles throughout history and various cultures, which I found especially interesting.

During my time abroad, I was able to take classes that counted for my majors, gender studies and media creative advertising. I know receiving credit for coursework abroad is a common concern among interested students, so I want to reassure you that it is certainly possible, depending on the program and courses you choose. I was also able to take a couple of courses that helped me immerse myself in the culture of my host country, which was wonderfully beneficial for my experience abroad.

In addition, one thing I was worried about going into study abroad was having time for travel and leisure time outside of school. The way the class schedule was structured at Florence University of the Arts allowed for a substantial amount of time for me to hang out with friends and explore the city, as well as other countries around Europe. As long as you tailor your academic experience to your needs and interests, you should have no problem choosing courses to take abroad.

If you want to go abroad but aren't sure which classes you could get credit for, reach out to your campus study abroad office! You can also send questions to a CIS Abroad advisor here.

Blog by Lauren Olson, Indiana University - Bloomington
Semester in Florence