Study Abroad Programs in Siena, Italy

This is my second trip with this program I did the Japan last year and Italy this year also intend to go again next year and I loved the different classes there were I took cuisines and art history we made many different kinds of Italian food and went to different places almost every day there were also many different day trips on the weekends that were amazing to go on and ending in Rome and seeing the colosseum and learning about it was a great way to end the trip and the staff was really amazing and accommodating with the need of the students

I learned so much on this trip through the art history course and photography course. I wasn’t that interested in many of the art made in periods such as renaissance, but I learned so much about them and got quite good at identifying them. I similarly wasn’t that knowledgeable about Christianity and especially Catholicism (at least more than the average American) but I learned so much about it as well and really came to respect the ideas related to it. Finally I also knew literally nothing about photography but through this I learned a lot about different styles and the essentials of photography to the point that I think I’ll be taking better pictures for the rest of my life. This is all without saying the fun and incredible sights and art I got to see, yes we went to churches and art museums to learn about it but we also went to appreciate it and through that I got to see some beautiful art that might be some of my highlight pictures from the trip. Also the day trips to other prominent cities are so much fun and so different Florence is a great base to operate out of and through that base different cities especially Venice and Siena contrast very well, Venice being very tight and of course featuring water, and Siena being very hilly.

World class program is great because it’s more than just a summer program it is an absolute immersion into Ancient Rome; the renaissance in Florence, and amazing medieval art were extravagant and eye popping. Going into the different museums and churches was, like dunking yourself into a beautiful shining spring in Ancient Rome taking you back in time to the minds of Roman’s and what they were thinking while walking into grandiose church. The different day trips were amazing in total there were four day trips one to Lucca where we rode bikes around the city walls, and explored the city, one to cinque terre where we hiked across a mountain with a view of the Mediterranean and ended on the beach. One to siena where we explored the city on the mountain and saw the amazing views. My favorite day trip was the one to Venice where we saw Murano the glass making city and we took boats around to different locations. The pros of the program was the amount of stuff that we had easy access to because of the great connections and the staff. Another pro is the community all the people were easy to connect with and make good friends without any problems. The amount of free time to explore and shop in Florence was great you were able to get what ever lunch you wanted or go to what ever shop in all of old Florence. The cons weren’t many. The program was genuinely so amazing. The only one I can think of is the heat in Italy, but it wasn’t the programs fault it is Italy’s faults for not having good american a/c. The only other con I can think of is not being able to go longer.

My study abroad experience was truly unforgettable, largely because of the amazing and easy-going staff who made every day enjoyable. Their friendly nature and sense of humor created a welcoming atmosphere that helped me feel at home even when I was far away. I often found myself laughing with them, which made the whole experience not just educational but genuinely fun. Their support and kindness made a big difference, turning challenges into opportunities to grow. One of the most meaningful parts of my time abroad was the relationships I built. I connected with people from all over the world, and these friendships became an important part of my journey. Sharing experiences, learning about different cultures, and supporting each other made these bonds truly special. These relationships taught me the value of understanding and empathy, and I know they will continue to be important in my life long after the program ends. Beyond the social side, I learned so much academically and personally. The new environment pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and adapt in ways I hadn’t before. I gained knowledge in my field of study, but I also learned life skills like independence and problem-solving. This experience has not only enriched my education but also helped me grow into a more confident and open-minded person.

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 course itself was a wonderful mix of cultural immersion and learning about the history, art, historical figures who lived in Florence centuries ago. My one and only complaint can be summed up as, if you go on this trip, don’t expect everyone to be as into as you. I was deeply passionate about the history of Italy, and made a friend or two on the trip who was equally as passionate, but as a consumer of this tour, be aware that some are here to passively take in the sights, rather than eagerly devouring everything they can see.

Medlink Students was very helpful. I had previosly looked at another company but I decided to go for Medlink Students which was honestly a great choise. There were a couple of issues regarding the 2 universities I had registerd which meant I had to look for other universities even though it was not what I origianlly wanted to hapen. Medlink Students were very good at helping me pick another university. They are always there to answr my questions and isues. From their help and their agency you can tell they really want to suport their students until the end of their jurney and I have felt that through and throughout. I am now studying in Itlay and could not recomend them enogh!!

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.

I greatly enjoyed my experience abroad with the Umbra Institute. The institution was super helpful in preparing to leave the United States and provided lots of information as well as a pre-departure module that gave us important information and a “what to expect” page. Umbra also has a super up to date webpage with blurbs from past student’s which was helpful for me to see others’ experiences. Upon arrival and throughout the semester, the staff made themselves readily available to help during the adjustment period and beyond. They encouraged us to travel and experience our semester to the fullest. The staff gave us recommendations and were hands on throughout the semester. Our professors are simply the best of the best and are super knowledgeable about their fields. The school environment is welcoming and comfortable for all students which allowed me to feel equipped for learning and experimentation. There were endless ways to get involved throughout the semester through community engagement classes, volunteer opportunities, and small group involvement. I was apart of the Umbra Reps program which was a small group of six students who helped with student activities and involvement throughout the semester. I felt like I have been able to really immerse in the culture of Perugia and experience many places this semester. I will truly miss this place and this staff so much!!

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.

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.

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!

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!!