Siena Italian Studies Program

SIS challenged me in more ways that words can express. My learning took place inside and outside the classroom. When my academic day came to end, my real day and learning too place at home with my host family. What I learned is that successfully assimilating yourself to another culture is hard work but all my efforts paid daily constant dividends through my Italian.

Working with Lella for the cooking school internship has strengthened by Italian skills and my general bond with the Italian culture. I was able to apply the skills I learned in class and since Lella doesn't speak English, it forced me to think and to speak in Italian, both in and outside of the Cooking School.

By incorporating many cultural aspects (host families, excursions, and visits), language -and fun; SIS makes it possible to learn Italian in a natural way.

I chose SIS because of its dedication to fully immersing the students in all things Italian- the language, culture, and the familial experience. The staff at SIS was beyond supportive and did everything possible to ensure that we had an authentic, intriguing, and unforgettable summer in Sienna. The depth, beauty, and vibrancy of Sienna, its culture and its people will always hold a special place in my heart.

If home is where the heart is, mine is split in two after this experience.

SIS is an amazing all-inclusive program which offers every cultural experience possible when studying abroad. The staff is like family and does everything possible to help ease the students into the Italian culture. Coming here with no Italian, I am able to speak to the Sienese and write research papers in Italian.

My host family became my second family. They opened their home to me and allowed me to make it my own. When I come back to visit Ale makes my favorite meal, Renato always has a beautiful new beach destination for me to visit, and Edo can't help but pick on me and my accent In three months we formed a bond that will last much longer than that and that is something that you can't find everywhere at home or abroad.