Siena Italian Studies Program

I loved my experience abroad with SIS and I reminisce on my time in Brussels nearly daily. Located in the heart of Europe, my friends and I travelled nearly every weekend. Service learning was very enjoyable and an excellent opportunity to engage with the community. Classes were FUN. I loved everything about SIS. My only complaint is that I had to go home when the semester ended.

What a lovely experience. Everyone does such a good job at making you feel at home and welcome. Wouldn’t trade the experience for the world. Thank you Irene and everyone who made the trip magical. 10/10 recommend.

My time in Brussels was nothing short of life changing. The people I met, the family I stayed with, and the experiences I had will stick with me for the rest of my life. I couldn’t recommend this program more!!!

I had a great experience with Siena Italian Studies. The program had wonderful teachers and I was incredibly immersed in Italian language and culture. Our host family was welcoming, friendly, and supportive. Siena remains one of my favorite places in Italy. I can’t wait to visit again!

Studying in Siena through SIS was the single best decision I’ve ever made for myself. Living with a host family allowed me to truly immerse myself in the culture and - more importantly - make connections that will last a lifetime. My language skills skyrocketed, and I learned so much about history, chemistry, and more. I envy anybody who gets to go.

I feel I truly grew so much as a person from my time abroad. I became more independent, confident, and made relationships to last a life time. Aside from learning a new language, I learned countless life experiences that I will use for the rest of my life.

I can not say enough good things about SIS. It was the best time of my life. I participated in Summer 2022 and it was incredible. It was awesome seeing the events leading up to the Palio and the palio itself. We had 10 people total for the first summer after covid and we all became very close and took weekend trips together. The staff is so supportive and nice. They really challenge you to learn. I will say you need to be a more motivated student to do this program, especially if you do not know Italian because the courses are taught in Italian. However, I really enjoyed this aspect coming in as a beginner as I was able to see myself improve. My host family was so sweet and I loved living with them. I think about my summer abroad every day and am constantly wishing I could go back. If you have the chance to do this program....do it!!

I took the gap year program in the spring 2022 semester. In spite the limitations posed by of the pandemic, SIS' wonderful team staff managed to organize excursions and activities so I feel like I got to know Tuscany and Italy well. really liked our classes as they were extremely hands-on and the topics we learned had much to do with what we were experiencing, like medieval History and art. The service learning/volunteering experience was also great as I got to interact with local vulnerable communities and practice my Italian. My favorite part was the host family. I feel like it really helped me to improve my Italian by a lot, and I created a stronger bond with Italy and learn more about the culture. My host family was always extremely nice, making me feel comfortable 100% of the time, and the food at their home was amazing.

I had a time of life when I was jumping gates to be on time during my internship. It was 3 years ago in China and it was a pandemic situation in China. I got an internship, I was living in campus of university. I got a permission to go out to my internship. But the door was broke and I couldn't go out on time, after I decided to jump gates to go out. Because I like to be on time wherever I go and also I wanted to have this internship, and I was ready to anything to get this internship.

I did Siena Italian Studies about 5 years ago and I think about my experience every single day. I have returned a few times and everyone is so friendly and welcoming even still. It’s really a family. The activities that we did were so amazing like when we went to the alps to ski, had a wine tasting class, and went to the beach. Our program set us up with awesome families that fed us well. Our classes were as challenging as you wanted them. There were some offered for beginning Italian learners and some for intermediate and advanced. In the end you get to take the CILS exam which is really nice because you have some documented proof you actually learned some Italian! This program was one of the highlights of my life so far!

I spent a spring semester with Siena Italian Studies as a gap year student when I was 19 years old and I can tell you that this is the best study abroad program you can attend. I didn't know any Italian when I left for Siena and when I came back for college in the US I chose it as my major and received my degree in Italian Studies. It doesn't matter if you are a beginner or already advanced in Italian, Siena provides the perfect setting for learning or improving your language skills. The teaching at Siena Italian Studies is also unmatched. The Town of Siena Siena is the perfect town in which to live. It is relatively small, which makes getting around town a breeze. The people of Siena are also extremely kind and always willing to help you out. Siena is absolutely beautiful and is in the center of Italy's best wine regions. The food and wine is unparalleled and the hospitality makes you feel right at home. Host Families SIS is well connected with many families that host the students. The program has had long relationships with all of the host families, so the families know how to handle exchange students very well. I loved living with my host family and they made me feel right at home. I still keep in touch with them constantly and visit when I can after six years. Host families are also extremely helpful in practicing Italian and learning more about Italian culture, things to do in Siena, etc. Classes The classes are very well taught and the course subjects are extremely interesting. I was able to take a business class that actually introduced me to the business school in Milan where I now attend. The language classes may seem like a lot, but it is all worth it. From knowing no Italian at the beginning, I was able to have detailed conversations with my host family near the end of the semester. SIS Administration Siena Italian Studies makes it extremely easy for students to get their visas, permit of stays, bus passes, etc. In fact, the organization pretty much takes care of everything. These processes are not very easy and now living in Milan and doing them myself, I can see how lucky I was to have had SIS take care of most of the administrative issues for me. As I said before, SIS is also extremely well connected with the Siena community, so if you have any opportunities or worries in mind, just ask them because I'm sure they will know someone in the town to help out! Do not hesitate to study abroad with Siena Italian Studies. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had!

You really don't get any better than SIS. I was I their Siena program, and ever since I left I have been counting down the days until I can go back. I was never left with unanswered questions during the application and pre travel time. The pick up from the airport and transportation to Siena was flawless. Then my actual experience....I could go on and on about my time in Siena and that wouldn't be enough. It's a beautiful city full of beautiful people. The SIS staff was so helpful. I would recommend this program 11/10 times.

My most memorable experiences involved the festivities surrounding the Palio. Seeing contrada life up close is something that not many outsiders have the opportunity to do, so I felt very lucky to be able to go to contrada dinners and parties, etc. I chose this program because I didn't have time for a full semester, and Siena Italian Studies was highly recommended for me by my advisers at Ohio State. I lived with a host family outside the city of Siena. I had a roommate and two host parents. I felt very comfortable in the apartment that I lived in.

So, I throughly enjoyed my two months in Siena, Italy. I would recommend the program to students who are not just looking for a vacation, but want to learn a decent amount about the language and culture of Italy.

SIS was everything I could've hoped for. I was a Gap Year student when I enrolled, and it was initially pretty intimidating to be the youngest in the program. Those fears were swept away immediately when the faculty, other students, and my homestay family made me feel completely welcome. The academics were challenging but not overwhelming, and I felt that my schedule had a well-rounded balance of work and play, which consisted of exploring Siena, travel elsewhere, nightlife, etc. I had the time of my life with SIS and credit them so much with making a Gap Year student feel years older in maturity.

My experience at SIS was so incredible that it now seems unreal. I was a bit weary leaving for Italy with only one semester of Italian under my belt, but the staff at SIS made the transition less stressful. Although speaking Italian was challenging at times, it was amazing how much I progressed in such a short period of time. The most indispensable part of the program was being able to live with host families. My experience would have never been the same without it. Not only did it help with learning Italian, but I honestly feel that I became a part of their family and will keep in contact for years to come. At times I was frustrated with the required courses other than Italian, but the fact that I was in Italy made me see the positive side of everything. The amount of work required outside of class was light, which allowed for more time to immerse ourselves in Italian culture through volunteering, traveling, going out, and spending time with our host families and friends. I wish I could stay in Siena forever!

I had a great time in Siena. I came to the program with a relatively high level of Italian knowledge, but my ability to communicate grew exponentially in the semester I spent there. I loved my host family and all of my teachers, and I would not change a thing about my abroad experience. I also think the volunteering aspect of the SIS program really helps you become more a part of the local community instead of remaining a foreigner for the entire semester, sequestered in dorms with other English-speaking students. I think this program is amazing for anyone looking to really improve their language skills as well as to develop a deeper understanding of the Italian, specifically Sienese culture.

SIS was an incredible experience that i had the privilege to be a part of. I lived with a great family, the cultural immersion was beyond comparison, for setting students, such as myself, up with incredible relations with locals through schools, shops, and families.The Art History class I took while in Siena was one of my favorite class to date. SIS showed me everything to love in Siena. I couldn't be happier with the experience i had many thanks to SIS.

I had a blast adapting to the Italian culture. It was a shock, but that was expected. The longer I stayed the more I liked it! The school's professors are unique and work with you to make the most of your experience in Siena. I would return immediately to visit the cool places and hang out with the friends I made there. Definitely worth it!

SIS does an amazing job putting the program together. At first, being fully immersed in the local culture is daunting, but if you are open to it, as SIS understands, it is the most conductive way to thoroughly learn Italian language and culture. SIS provides many opportunities to not only learn through their academic courses, but through interactions with host families, and through community involvement through service. Everyone on the SIS staff is helpful and friendly. If you're looking for the Italian experience, and not the stereotypical American Italian experience, SIS is the way to go.