In This Section
Study Abroad
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HUF
Harding University in Florence
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HUF
Harding University in Florence
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HUF
Harding University in Florence
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HUF
Harding University in Florence
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HUF
Harding University in Florence
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HUF
Harding University in Florence
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HUF
Harding University in Florence
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HUF
Harding University in Florence
Established in 1980, Harding University in Florence (HUF) was the first of the University’s international programs. HUF students live in a 15th century villa midway up a hill southwest of Florence in the city of Scandicci, complete with a view of the Arno Valley and the Apennine Mountains. In addition to this beautiful setting, students enjoy meals prepared by two Italian cooks. Living just outside of Florence provides endless opportunities to explore all that the city has to offer: climbing the Duomo, strolling across the Ponte Vecchio, visiting the Uffizi, the Accademia and more.
Tours outside of Florence continue to highlight Italian culture and history by taking students to see the wonders of Rome, Pompeii, Pisa, San Gimignano, Siena, Lucca, Casentino and more. Students have independent travel time during the semester, as well as an option for more before heading home. The HUF program takes place during each Spring, Summer and Fall semester and travels with a maximum of 40 students each semester.
Course Offerings & Cost
Program Requirements
No student is eligible to attend HUF who is currently on academic, chapel or disciplinary probation on the Searcy campus. Any student who has applied and/or been accepted will automatically become ineligible if placed on any type of probation up until time to depart. Such individuals will be placed on a waiting list and may go only if there are openings after probation has been removed. In addition, a student must have an overall 2.0 GPA.
The following courses are required: ITAL 1000 or ITAL 1010, BOLD 3005, and HUM 2730. Successful completion of a second Bible course during a full semester International Program will permit a student to apply this course to the Bible requirement for a future semester, provided that the second Bible class is taught by a College of Bible and Ministry instructor. The student may apply this benefit in the future semester of their choice.
Spring 2023 Course Offerings
While it is our intention to offer the courses listed, changes are sometimes necessary.
HUF students are charged for 16 credit hours. A minimum of 12 credit hours must be maintained throughout the semester. If you enroll in more than 16 credit hours, you will be charged for those hours.
The following courses are required: ITAL 1000 or ITAL 1010, BOLD 3005, and HUM 2730. Successful completion of a second Bible course during a full semester International Program will permit a student to apply this course to the Bible requirement for a future semester, provided that the second Bible class is taught by a College of Bible and Ministry instructor. The student may apply this benefit in the future semester of their choice.
ITAL 1000 – Italian for Travelers (2) Mona Shackelford: Elements of Italian for students with no background in the language; emphasis is given to oral communication in everyday situations. Students may not enroll concurrently in ITAL 1000 and ITAL 1010. Fulfills 2 of the 6 credit hours required for Global Perspectives.
ITAL 1010 – Elementary Italian I (4) Mona Shackelford: Designed for students with little or no background in Italian. Oral and written communication, grammar, and culture. Students may not enroll concurrently in ITAL 1010 and ITAL 1000. Fulfills 4 of the 6 credit hours required for Global Perspectives.
BOLD 3005 – Lord and Land (2): REQUIRED. This course examines the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible, introducing students to relevant historical, geographical, and cultural backgrounds, Old Testament theology, biblical exegesis, and applications to contemporary contexts. As part of the curriculum for International Programs at Harding University, this course surveys the Hebrew Bible through the visual/virtual exploration of the land of Israel. This course is offered to sophomore students in study abroad (IP) programs for 2 credit hours and satisfies the requirement for either BOLD 2010 or BOLD 2030 in the Liberal Arts program. Upperclassman may take this course (even if they have already received credit for BOLD 2010 or BOLD 2030).
HUM 2730 - World Civilization/Humanities (2-6) Robbie Shackelford: REQUIRED. An integration of the disciplines of art, drama, history, literature, music, philosophy, religion, and science, and their influence in shaping ideas and values in the selected area of the world. The course content will reflect the context in which it will be taught. Required of all students participating in an international program. May substitute for up to 6 hours selected from the following: ART 1010, THEA 1010, ENG 2010 or ENG 2020, HIST 2100 or HIST 2110, MUS 1010-1015, PHIL 3010, or up to 3 hours of Global Perspectives. This course may be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 12 hours, provided the course is taken at different locations.
This course may not be taken as a repeat for a completed liberal arts course or to satisfy an additional liberal arts requirement. Determine how you intend to apply the credits, then enroll in the appropriate number of hours. (Example: Student wants credit for ENG 2010 and MUS 1010; therefore, will enroll in 6 credit hours.) Credit may not be increased after the semester begins. Prior to the semester abroad, students must apply the credits to the appropriate course(s).
HUM 2010 - International Studies (1-3) Robbie Shackelford: Preparation for international experience in living and studying abroad. Enhancement in cultural sensitivity and practical matters of survival in a different cultural setting. Approximately 30 hours of classroom instruction. Research on the host country. Fulfills 1-3 credit hours of the 6 hours required for Global Perspectives.
COMM 1010 – Communication Principles (3) Steve Breezeel: Instruction and practice in the theory and skills of public and interpersonal communication. Research, organization, and delivery of speeches. Development of critical listening skills for evaluative purposes. Emphasis on nonverbal, small group, and multicultural communication in a digitally connected world.
KINS 1190 – Conditioning Activities (1) Robbie Shackelford: Participation in exercises in order to improve physical fitness.
HIST 1010 – American History to 1877 (3) Steve Breezeel: Survey of American history from discovery through Reconstruction.
BMIS 3000- The World Christian (online) (3) Tim Westbrook: This course may be taken only as a second Bible class. This course seeks to lead students to become World Christians by focusing on the theological, cultural, and contextual aspects of what God is doing in this world and by discovering how to participate strategically with God in his work. The course tackles tough questions about God and the lost. It also surveys a history of missionary heroes to discover personalities who exemplifies missiological principles. Fulfills 3 credit hours of the 6 hours required for Global Perspectives.
PHS 1060 – Physical Science (online) (3) Michael Gutierrez: An introduction to basic concepts in physics and chemistry including motion, gravity, momentum, energy, sound, electricity and the atom. Credit is not granted in PHS 1060 following credit for any other physics or chemistry course.
MATH 1200 - Elementary Statistics (online) (3) Marnie Walker: Elementary statistical techniques; descriptive statistics, elementary probability, probability distributions, estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, regression, and correlation.
ECON 2010 – Macroeconomics (online) (3) Tyler Knight: The overall workings of the economy and its major subdivisions; our economic system, business cycles, money and banking, national income accounts, and stabilization policy.
Summer 2023 Course Offerings
While it is our intention to offer the courses listed, changes are sometimes necessary.
HUF students are charged for 16 credit hours. A minimum of 12 credit hours must be maintained throughout the semester. If you enroll in more than 16 credit hours, you will be charged for those hours.
The following courses are required: ITAL 1000 or ITAL 1010, BOLD 3005, and HUM 2730. Successful completion of a second Bible course during a full semester International Program will permit a student to apply this course to the Bible requirement for a future semester, provided that the second Bible class is taught by a College of Bible and Ministry instructor. The student may apply this benefit in the future semester of their choice.
ITAL 1000 – Italian for Travelers (2) Mona Shackelford: Elements of Italian for students with no background in the language; emphasis is given to oral communication in everyday situations. Students may not enroll concurrently in ITAL 1000 and ITAL 1010. Fulfills 2 of the 6 credit hours required for Global Perspectives.
ITAL 1010 – Elementary Italian I (4) Mona Shackelford: Designed for students with little or no background in Italian. Oral and written communication, grammar, and culture. Students may not enroll concurrently in ITAL 1010 and ITAL 1000. Fulfills 4 of the 6 credit hours required for Global Perspectives.
BOLD 3005 – Lord and Land (2) Daniel Oden: REQUIRED. This course examines the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible, introducing students to relevant historical, geographical, and cultural backgrounds, Old Testament theology, biblical exegesis, and applications to contemporary contexts. As part of the curriculum for International Programs at Harding University, this course surveys the Hebrew Bible through the visual/virtual exploration of the land of Israel. This course is offered to sophomore students in study abroad (IP) programs for 2 credit hours and satisfies the requirement for either BOLD 2010 or BOLD 2030 in the Liberal Arts program. Upperclassman may take this course, even if they have already received credit for BOLD 2010 and BOLD 2030.
HUM 2730 - World Civilization/Humanities (2-6) Robbie Shackelford: REQUIRED. An integration of the disciplines of art, drama, history, literature, music, philosophy, religion, and science, and their influence in shaping ideas and values in the selected area of the world. The course content will reflect the context in which it will be taught. Required of all students participating in an international program. May substitute for up to 6 hours selected from the following: ART 1010, THEA 1010, ENG 2010 or ENG 2020, HIST 2100 or HIST 2110, MUS 1010-1015, PHIL 3010, or up to 3 hours of Global Perspectives. This course may be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 12 hours, provided the course is taken at different locations.
This course may not be taken as a repeat for a completed liberal arts course or to satisfy an additional liberal arts requirement. Determine how you intend to apply the credits, then enroll in the appropriate number of hours. (Example: Student wants credit for ENG 2010 and MUS 1010; therefore, will enroll in 6 credit hours.) Credit may not be increased after the semester begins. Prior to the semester abroad, students must apply the credits to the appropriate course(s).
HUM 2010 - International Studies (1-3) Robbie Shackelford: Preparation for international experience in living and studying abroad. Enhancement in cultural sensitivity and practical matters of survival in a different cultural setting. Approximately 30 hours of classroom instruction. Research on the host country. Fulfills 1-3 credit hours of the 6 hours required for Global Perspectives.
COMM 1010 – Communication Principles (3) Kathy Helpenstill: Instruction and practice in the theory and skills of public and interpersonal communication. Research, organization, and delivery of
speeches. Development of critical listening skills for evaluative purposes. Emphasis on nonverbal, small group, and multicultural communication in a digitally connected world.
KINS 1190 – Conditioning Activities (1) Robbie Shackelford: Participation in exercises in order to improve physical fitness.
COMM 2200 – Photography (online) (3) Noah Darnell: Basic photography skills will be taught and practiced, including composition, exposure control lighting standards, and digital manipulations and corrections. The course is for beginners.
BMIS 3000- The World Christian (online) (3) Tim Westbrook: This course may be taken only as a second Bible class. This course seeks to lead students to become World Christians by focusing on the theological, cultural, and contextual aspects of what God is doing in this world and by discovering how to participate strategically with God in his work. The course tackles tough questions about God and the lost. It also surveys a history of missionary heroes to discover personalities who exemplified missiological principles. Fulfills 3 credit hours of the 6 hours required for Global Perspectives.
PHS 1060 – Physical Science (online) (3) Cindy White: An introduction to basic concepts in physics and chemistry including motion, gravity, momentum, energy, sound, electricity and the atom. Credit is not granted in PHS 1060 following credit for any other physics or chemistry course.
MATH 1200 - Elementary Statistics (online) (3) Laurie Walker: Elementary statistical techniques; descriptive statistics, elementary probability, probability distributions, estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, regression, and correlation.
ECON 2010 – Macroeconomics (online) (3) Tyler Knight: The overall workings of the economy and its major subdivisions; our economic system, business cycles, money and banking, national income accounts, and stabilization policy.
Standard Course Offerings
While it is our intention to offer the courses listed, changes are sometimes necessary.
A minimum of 12 credit hours must be maintained throughout the semester, and are included in the cost of the program. If you enroll in more than 12 credit hours, you will be charged for those hours.
The following courses are required: ITAL 1000 or ITAL 1010, BOLD 3005, and HUM 2730. Successful completion of a second Bible course during a full semester International Program will permit a student to apply this course to the Bible requirement for a future semester, provided that the second Bible class is taught by a College of Bible and Ministry instructor. The student may apply this benefit in the future semester of their choice.
ITAL 1000 – Italian for Travelers (2): Elements of Italian for students with no background in the language; emphasis is given to oral communication in everyday situations. Students may not enroll concurrently in ITAL 1000 and ITAL 1010. Fulfills 2 of the 6 credit hours required for Global Perspectives.
ITAL 1010 – Elementary Italian I (4): Designed for students with little or no background in Italian. Oral and written communication, grammar, and culture. Students may not enroll concurrently in ITAL 1010 and ITAL 1000. Fulfills 4 of the 6 credit hours required for Global Perspectives
BOLD 3005 – Lord and Land (2): This course examines the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible, introducing students to relevant historical, geographical, and cultural backgrounds, Old Testament theology, biblical exegesis, and applications to contemporary contexts. As part of the curriculum for International Programs at Harding University, this course surveys the Hebrew Bible through the visual/virtual exploration of the land of Israel. This course is offered to sophomore students in study abroad (IP) programs for 2 credit hours and satisfies the requirement for either BOLD 2010 or BOLD 2030 in the Liberal Arts program. Upperclassman may take this course, even if they have already received credit for BOLD 2010 and BOLD 2030.
HUM 2730 - World Civilization/Humanities (2-6): REQUIRED. An integration of the disciplines of art, drama, history, literature, music, philosophy, religion, and science, and their influence in shaping ideas and values in the selected area of the world. The course content will reflect the context in which it will be taught. Required of all students participating in an international program. May count for up to 6 hours selected from the following: ART 1010, THEA 1010, ENG 2010 or ENG 2020, HIST 2100 or HIST 2110, MUS 1010-1015, PHIL 3010, or global perspectives. This course may be repeated for credit up to a maximum of 12 hours, provided the course is taken at different locations.
This course may not be taken as a repeat for a completed liberal arts course or to satisfy an additional liberal arts requirement. Determine how you intend to apply the credits, then enroll in the appropriate number of hours. (Example: Student wants credit for ENG 2010 and MUS 1010; therefore, will enroll in 6 credit hours.) Credit may not be increased after the semester begins. Prior to the semester abroad, students must apply the credits to the appropriate course(s).
COMM 1010 – Communication Principles (3): Instruction and practice in the theory and skills of public and interpersonal communication. Research, organization, and delivery of speeches. Development of critical listening skills for evaluative purposes. Emphasis on nonverbal, small group, and multicultural communication in a digitally connected world
KINS 1190 – Conditioning Activities (1): Participation in exercises in order to improve physical fitness.
BUS 2510 – Personal Finance for College Students (1): An overview of key and essential elements of personal finance that a college student needs to understand even before they leave college. This seminar course is designed to familiarize the student with issues of personal finances that will have long-lasting benefits once the student graduates. All six modules are intricately tied to the Biblical concept of stewardship.
BMIS 3000- The World Christian (online) (3): This course may be taken only as a second Bible class. This course seeks to lead students to become World Christians by focusing on the theological, cultural, and contextual aspects of what God is doing in this world and by discovering how to participate strategically with God in his work. The course tackles tough questions about God and the lost. It also surveys a history of missionary heroes to discover personalities who exemplified missiological principles. This course satisfies the global perspectives requirement in the Liberal Arts program.
PHS 1060 – Physical Science (online) (3) (or similar PHS course TBA): An introduction to basic concepts in physics and chemistry including motion, gravity, momentum, energy, sound, electricity and the atom. Credit is not granted in PHS 1060 following credit for any other physics or chemistry course. This class may make use of the testing center and/or may give exams outside of regularly scheduled class hours.
MATH 1200 - Elementary Statistics (online) (3): Elementary statistical techniques; descriptive statistics, elementary probability, probability distributions, estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, regression, and correlation. This class may make use of the testing center and/or may give exams outside of regularly scheduled class hours.
ECON 2010 – Macroeconomics (online) (3): The overall workings of the economy and its major subdivisions; our economic system, business cycles, money and banking, national income accounts, and stabilization policy.
2022-23 Cost Breakdown
2022-2023 Cost Breakdown for full-semester programs
Final cost and charges are subject to change.
Payment | Fall 2022 Program | Spring 2023 Program | Summer 2023 Program |
$500 | with application | with application | with application |
$3,000 | June 15, 2022 | Nov. 1, 2022 | March 1, 2023 |
$22,287 | Sept. 1, 2022 | Feb. 1, 2023 | May 1, 2023 |
Total Cost: $25,787 |
Application Fee ($500) paid at the time of application and refundable up until the $3,000 travel payment deadline for each program (June 15 for Fall 2021 program; November 1 for Spring 2022 program; March 1 for summer 2022 program). If the program is canceled before or after these dates, students will receive a refund of all fees paid.
Travel Payment ($3,000) includes prepayment for required deposits associated with reservations during your program, as well as roundtrip airfare from your home city*. Airline frequent flyer miles may be accumulated; however, no personal frequent flier miles or points may be used to acquire the flight(s). All travel arrangements are made by the International Programs office. A fuel surcharge, imposed by the airlines, may be added, typically not exceeding $500. *Round-trip airfare is typically based on travel from Little Rock. If your home city exceeds this fare, you may be charged accordingly.
Final Payment ($22,287) includes tuition for 12-16 hours, room and board, program fee, technology fee, transportation, accommodation, local travel, tour guides, museums and art galleries, facility cleaning, and linen/laundry. Most financial aid will apply to your semester abroad.
Spending money: You will need to provide your own spending money. We recommend that you allow up to $85-$100 per day for all independent travel for those programs that allow or mandate it.
For information regarding finances, loans, scholarships, and billing, please contact: Angie Shafer at ashafer@harding.edu or 501-279-4338 (Office Location: Ezell Basement #18).
Those who cancel after airline tickets have been purchased and land travel arrangements have been paid will be liable for any penalties assessed by the airlines and land travel companies. Funds that can be recovered will be returned to the student’s account as soon as possible. If you are enrolling in a future semester not indicated on this cost sheet, you may estimate the payment increase at 4-5% per school year.
Costs and charges are subject to change.
2023-24 Cost Breakdown
2023-2024 Cost Breakdown for full-semester programs
Final cost and charges are subject to change.
Payment | Fall 2023 Program | Spring 2024 Program | Summer 2024 Program |
$500 | with application | with application | with application |
$3,000 | June 15, 2023 | Nov. 1, 2023 | March 1, 2024 |
$22,207 | Sept. 1, 2023 | Feb. 1, 2024 | May 1, 2024 |
Total Cost: $25,707 |
Application Fee ($500) paid at the time of application and refundable up until the $3,000 travel payment deadline for each program (see above). If the program is canceled before or after these dates, students will receive a refund of all fees paid.
Travel Payment ($3,000) includes prepayment for required deposits associated with reservations during your program, as well as roundtrip airfare from your home city*. Airline frequent flyer miles may be accumulated; however, no personal frequent flier miles or points may be used to acquire the flight(s). All travel arrangements are made by the International Programs office. A fuel surcharge, imposed by the airlines, may be added, typically not exceeding $500. *Round-trip airfare is typically based on travel from Little Rock. If your home city exceeds this fare, you may be charged accordingly.
Final Payment ($22,207) includes tuition for 12 hours, room and board, program fee, technology fee, transportation, accommodation, local travel, tour guides, museums and art galleries, facility cleaning, and linen/laundry. Most financial aid will apply to your semester abroad.
Spending money: You will need to provide your own spending money. We recommend that you allow up to $85-$100 per day for all independent travel for those programs that allow or mandate it.
For information regarding finances, loans, scholarships, and billing, please contact: Angie Shafer at ashafer@harding.edu or 501-279-4338 (Office Location: Ezell Basement #18).
Those who cancel after airline tickets have been purchased and land travel arrangements have been paid will be liable for any penalties assessed by the airlines and land travel companies. Funds that can be recovered will be returned to the student’s account as soon as possible. If you are enrolling in a future semester not indicated on this cost sheet, you may estimate the payment increase at 4-5% per school year.
Costs and charges are subject to change.
HUF at a glance
Learn more about the experience at HUF by watching these videos about Life in the Villa, the Mask Shop, Line of Sight, Mission Impossible, Free Travel and the Duomo Climb.
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We were immersed in the culture right from the time we got off the plane.
Danielle Wooten ,
HUF Summer 2019 -
Pictures cannot capture the fine details, emotions, and vulnerability that I saw and felt.
Rachel Williams ,
HUF Summer 2019
We believe in the importance of a global education because we are citizens of the world. No matter which program you choose to attend, you will return home with a new outlook on the world.
The HUF program takes place during each Spring, Summer and Fall semester and travels with a maximum of 40 students each semester.
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It’s the adventure that you will never forget. It made me into who I am today.
Landon Lipp ,
HUF Summer 2019
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“Aggressively seek beauty every day.”
Robbie and Mona Shackelford.,
Take a Virtual Tour of Florence with Robbie
HUF Program Directors -
Contact Us
Study Abroad is managed by the Office of International Programs
501-279-4529
Mailing address:
Harding University
International Programs
HU 10838
Searcy AR 72149-5615