Engineering Abroad: A Transformative Experience

Gonzaga in Florence (GIF) offers students and faculty a unique opportunity to explore their academic disciplines in a rich international setting. Located in the heart of Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, the campus provides a vibrant learning environment that blends rigorous coursework with cultural immersion. The facilities include classrooms, art studios, a chapel, and a library, all set within a peaceful garden courtyard.

Starting in 2024, the GIF engineering courses (dynamics and mechanics of materials) are now taught by School of Engineering & Applied Science faculty. SEAS majors can easily study abroad during the spring of their sophomore year without getting behind in their curriculum. As the first SEAS faculty members to teach in the GIF program, Marc Baumgardner (2024) and Sara Ganzerli (2025) emphasize that the true strength of the program lies in its people.

Baumgardner reflects on how GIF “reinforced just how valuable study abroad can be for both engineering students and faculty.” Beyond staying on track academically, students “deepen their understanding of how engineering fits into a broader social, environmental, and cultural context.” He adds, “stepping outside the technical or cultural bubble can fundamentally reshape how we think about engineering design and systems.”

Ganzerli notes that “the caring staff work tirelessly to guarantee a positive study abroad experience,” and the faculty, a diverse mix of Italian and international instructors, are “genuinely dedicated to the academic success of the students.” She highlights how Florence itself becomes part of the classroom, like learning about Brunelleschi’s ingenious engineering of the Duomo’s dome, linking historical innovation with modern technical education.

Together, they highlight how Gonzaga in Florence nurtures academic progress, cultural awareness, and personal growth, providing a life-changing experience that strengthens Gonzaga’s Mission of curiosity, community, and global engagement.