Connect Florence

A day of meetings, culture, and business designed to connect international students with the city of Florence. On November 5th, Manifattura Tabacchi will host Connect Florence, an event created to highlight the power of cultural exchange and foster authentic connections between international students and the city they now call home. Rooted in the principles of experiential learning, the collaboration between CEA CAPA and MACA District combines internships, cultural initiatives, and academic projects with the goal of building meaningful ties with the local community. Connect Florence represents a significant step in this alliance, bringing together local institutions, cultural organizations, businesses, and citizens.

Activities Throughout the Day:

Workshops, talks, and discussion moments for students, citizens, and international guests. Open spaces and mostly free activities, curated by CEA CAPA, MACA District, and partners.

12.30 pm Community Lunch
Special-price lunch at Shake Café

2.30 pm Creative Workshops (Building B3)
Curated by The Florentine and Flood
• Cover Photo Booth: strike a pose for the magazine cover
• Introduction to Graphic Design: how to lay out a magazine
• Social Media for Journalism: turning content into entertainment

Afternoon Interactive Activities
• Feedback Wall: ideas, suggestions, and reader topics
• Zine-making: creative collage and layout workshop using pages from old magazines (also suitable for children)

3.00 pm Activities in Piazza Morvillo
• Boxing trial class, by Centro Sport Combattimento
• Yoga class, by Lostudioesse

3.00 – 5.00 pm Coffee Experience
Curated by Bottega Biologica

5.00 pm Panel “Navigating Connections”
Roundtable with CEA CAPA, MACA District, Fondazione Destination Florence, Comune di Firenze, and The Florentine.
Hosted at Aparto, the discussion will explore best practices in community living and inclusive urban development, with presentations of projects that enrich the experience of international students in Florence.

6.00 pm Panel “Sustainable Success. Careers that Make an Impact”
An event dedicated to students, featuring Florentine entrepreneurs and professionals sharing stories of sustainable success and innovation, hosted at Aparto.
Speakers: Gaia Rialti (Menabòh), Giulio Picchi (Cibrèo), Veronica Cornacchini (SuperDuper), and Mattia Pasqui (ceBASE).
All participants will receive a certificate of attendance signed by the CEA CAPA USA Career Office.

7.00 pm Jam Session
Live music by Accademia San Felice (Piazza Morvillo)

From 7.30 pm DJ Set
By students of the Music Store Academy, at Bulli & Balene

From 8.00 pm Electric Bakery
DJ set by Risonanza, featuring Max Innocenti and Gianni Bi, at Po’stò

Throughout the evening: distribution of the MACA Card, offering exclusive benefits at local venues.
At the Manifattura Tabacchi food spots — Bulli & Balene, Blend, Berberè, and Po’stò — special offers and menus will be available for MACA Card holders.