Dante Alighieri Siena - Learning Italy

I couldn't have imagined what my experience studying at Dante Alighieri would be like, except that I hoped it would improve my Italian. I'm happy to report that it did that and so much more! Every week, I met people from different countries, with different reasons to study Italian, and learned so many things from their diverse life experiences. With classmates that were often 20+ years my senior, we laughed, ate, and immersed ourselves in Italian culture. I also lived with a welcoming family and another language student for the seven weeks I was there. Finally, I had the wonderful opportunity to be connected to a volunteering position near the school where I tutored Italian youth. At Dante Alighieri, I built not just my Italian skills, but community.

I can honestly say this experience changed my life. I truly had the time of my life in Siena, and this study abroad program will always hold a special place in my heart. From the very beginning, I felt incredibly grateful to be part of a program that not only challenged me academically, but also allowed me to grow as a person. Studying at Dante Alighieri and the University of Siena was an unforgettable privilege. Every professor poured so much knowledge, passion, and care into their teaching, and it was clear how deeply they loved both their fields and their students. Learning in such an inspiring environment made every day feel meaningful. Dr. Elia Guido, Dr. Luca Bonomi, and Francesco Monciatti are truly extraordinary individuals. They are not only brilliant educators, but genuinely kind, inspiring human beings who left a lasting impact on me. I will forever be thankful for the guidance, encouragement, and wisdom they shared. I wholeheartedly believe that anyone who has the opportunity to be part of this program will leave changed in the best possible way.

The program as a whole was set up amazing, all of the professors were extremely helpful and knowledgeable! Couldn't speak more highly of my experience. Another great aspect of the program was the home stay. I became very close with my host mother, and she also helped advance my speaking abilities in italian!

I had one of the best times in Siena as well as the program. I have previously participated in other study abroad programs, but to be honest none of them compare to the Dante Alighieri one in Siena. It was a life changing experience and I had an absolutely amazing experience. From the people to the school to the events to the city itself, everything was great. I had great host families and I met amazing people during my time there. The people at the Dante Alighieri school are also awesome people and you can tell how passionate they are about teaching people their language and culture. Would for sure recommend to other students looking for a great study abroad program.

This program had such an amazing influence on my life. It had made me want to travel more and experience new cultures. I am grateful for the people in this program that provided me with such an amazing trip that I will never forget.

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Dante Alighieri is in Siena, a truly beautiful part of the country. You will get to experience a truly authentic version of Italy. The school is extremely supportive, offering various levels of language and culture. On top of the already established events/trips you will participate in, they have so many other optional ones that are so fun. Couldn’t recommend program more. Forza Italia!

I loved my time in Italy! Guido was amazing and incredibly knowledgeable about the history. We went on lots of trips to churches, museums, and other cities. I especially loved learning about the culture and traditions of Sienna. I would love to go back.

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I would give anything to experience my study abroad all over again! It was truly the greatest experience I’ve had. Before my trip, I was very reserved, would prefer staying in my room, not very social. The friends I made on this trip completely brought me out of my shell, and I am now extremely eager to see the world. Siena is a beautiful city, and having the opportunity to stay there and experience the culture was fascinating. This trip helped me experience massive growth that I would not have gotten if I stayed home that semester. I enjoyed every second of my trip, becoming more open to the world each day

Spending a semester in Siena was a life changing experience. Siena is a beautiful city with so much history around every corner. The staff of Dante Alighieri Siena do an excellent job of teaching and immersing you in their culture and sharing the rich history with you. They treat you like you are family.

My five weeks in Siena with the Dante Alighieri program were some of the best in my life. I had grown up with a great passion for language, but this was my first experience being in an immersive language program, so I was quite excited to participate and to live in such a beautiful and history-rich city. The program and experience exceeded all expectations. I became friends with my classmates and teachers, and I walked to school each morning knowing a warm, caring learning environment awaited me there. After taking a brief, low-pressure placement oral exam with one of the instructors, you get placed in a course level your first day. You can move through course levels during your time there, but regardless, you will be met with smiling faces in each classroom. Each instructor has so much enthusiasm to teach, and each student comes with a passion for learning and interacting with other eager students. Students are of all ages and backgrounds, coming from many different countries. I found this wonderful. Not only did it challenge me to express all ideas in Italian without resorting to English, thus advancing my language grasp that much more, but it also allowed me to learn the interesting stories of each individual from different perspectives. I loved the cultural activities we would partake in, sometimes during lunch, sometimes outside of the school hours. The most memorable, of course, were the events building up to the July 2nd Palio. Waiting in Piazza del Campo to see the announcement of the different “contrada”’s participation in the Palio was one of the most notable immersive cultural experiences, as well as the gala dinner the School invited us to. I could go on for hours about how magical those five weeks in Siena were with the School, but I hope that this brief little glimpse will encourage you to sign up for this wonderful program. My Italian improved tremendously during that time because of the high quality of instruction, and I never felt nervous being in an academic environment while there - to the contrary, it was a very encouraging, peaceful space to learn that promoted my personal growth. Thank you to all of the instructors and administrative staff at Dante Alighieri Siena, not least of all Guido Elia and Luca Bonomi! Grazie mille!

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