Summer Study Abroad Programs in Venice, 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 had a wonderful time on this trip! The opportunity to experience so many new cultures through art was great! Being in foreign countries with new people also created the perfect opportunity to create new friendships, especially since you're all in the same boat! Travel is a great way to build bonds. We also had plenty of time to explore on our own and enjoy the cities we were in!

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.

Thank you Abbey Road team for such a wonderful experience. My daughter had an incredible time. She made great friends and says she gives it five stars! She is sad it is already over, some tears here too. She made great friends and hope that they stay in touch and see each other again.

Just wanted to say thank you for everything and this wonderful opportunity. My daughter has loved this experience and we are very grateful for the many hands involved in making this a positive experience for these youth! To all the parents: - she made the best of friends that will be cherished forever!❤️Thank you! To the leaders: - you have an inspired program that truly changes lives. ?

This was an amazing program and I am infinitely grateful that I picked this program. Since I chose to participate in a May term program, I knew I would not have much time to plan my own trips within my study abroad experience, so a traveling program was perfect for me. I got to see all of the cities I have been dreaming about seeing for years. I made amazing friendships so quickly, and was exposed to many different cultures. Even though we were only in each city for a few days, I felt like I learned a good amount about each city. I got to see the most famous artwork in each city and it was fun learning how to use the public transportation in each city. We also had good guides for the tours in each city who knew a lot about the history of their cities. The program tour guide was awesome about helping us figure out public transportation, and I got a hang of how to do it myself by the time we left each city. My class's professor was amazing. She got us to really think and the class was very interactive. She was very educated on art history and the three hour class sessions went by quickly. The classes made me appreciate the museums and sites that we visited much more than I would have without the knowledge I gained. The places I wanted to see in each city were built into the program, and tickets were taken care of. I still had time during most days to work in my own activities and sightseeing, but all of the main places that I wanted to see were built in and we visited them as a full group. If I could change one thing, it would be to meet more locals or interact with business owners in the countries we visited through the program. The majority of the hotels were pretty nice; a couple of them were super nice. The only complaint I had was the location in a few of the cities, but it was very doable to get around. Breakfast was always covered which was great because we had to wake up fairly early most of the days. My group got a few surprises that were so awesome as well!

My three teenage kids just finished a two week program in Florence with Abbey Road and it was fantastic. They took different classes - studio art, art history, Italian language, Italian cuisine, and fashion design - and all of them had wonderful experiences. The teachers were terrific, the food was delicious, and the accommodations were ideal. They made great friends and loved traveling around Italy. My only complaint is that they don’t have a separate program for the parents, so we could enjoy studying abroad, too! Highly recommend!

i stayed 4 weeks in florence so i got to meet two sections of students. many types of people were drawn to the program and i found that this was a great opportunity for me to become more comfortable with people with very different life experiences. as far as studying, i found that my teachers were all genuinely passionate about their subjects and their students. i studied art history and italian, and was even able to try out studio art for a couple days. socially, i found the program very welcoming. of course some students were closer than others, but all were friendly. during the evening free time we would often get together in large groups and play games or go out on walks to see the city. the leaders were all incredibly accommodating and trusting. pros: amazing food passionate teachers chance to safely practice independence cons: lack of communication about plans for the day/week hot weather (be prepared)

My younger sister joined the Florence Summer Program in 2024. She enjoyed the trip, and as a guardian, my perspective is that the program is a great way to expose young teens to new experiences, challenge them, and have them discover more about the world and themselves. The chaperones of the program are responsive, helpful, and proactive. They went above and beyond to accommodate special requests and understand each child's unique situation. If you have a shy kid, this is a great way to bring them out of their comfort zone, both the kids and chaperones are very kind and friendly. Thank you Abbey Road for providing a really important life experience to my younger sister!

I went on an Atlantis Program in July of 2022 to Mantua, Italy for 3 weeks. From the Interview to getting prepped for my trip, to arrival at my apartment, shadowing and the excursions, it was a smooth process! I had the opportunity to shadow in the ER / ICU, Surgery, Immunohematology, Pediatrics, and got a private tour of their EMS system. I was shadowing on average 5 hours per day, yet in surgery / ICU I got more because there were additional cases / I really wanted the hours. Yes you do have to wake up early, and be punctual for shadowing! The cappucino in the morning was FABULOUS! I also explored near by cities such as Florence, Venice, Rome, Lake Garda which I made life long friends and experiences. From playing duck duck burrito in the apartments with the squad to experiencing an EDM Concert, still AMAZED at that experience to this day. This program gave me the realization that I wanted to dive into the business side of which I utilized the hours / experience on my MBA Application. Yes, it is an investment in ourselves and careers just like any part of the MD / DO / PA / Nursing process. I highly recommend this program if you're looking for an adventure, hours, friends for a lifetime, and you want to confirm in your heart the calling to medicine or not! Words cannot express the gratitude I have for the Atlantis staff, and everyone that made this process special. I would not be where I am today, and on the path that I am on without this experience. THANK YOU ATLANTIS!

I had an amazing time in Florence. The program provided us with enough freedom to truly explore the city and understand the culture. Our day trips were great, and we were also given free time to explore those cities. The staff members were extremely helpful and tried very hard to make sure we had the best experience possible. I appreciated how the program was flexible, which again helped make the experience more genuine and enjoyable. I will say that if you're looking for a program with strong academics, the classes weren't very intense, and weren't as informative as they could've been. However, I did really enjoy my time in Florence and still feel that I got a lot out of the program from exploring the city and interacting with other students. Everyone was so nice, and I know that we'll keep in touch. All in all I'd recommend the program and I believe that it made a big impact on my life.

Great balance between learning, fun, and free time. Lots of fun activities are offered. Awsome day trips including the beach days.

These were the best, yet the fastest, 4 weeks of my life. At first I was a little nervous with all the usual anxiety: being away from home in a foreign country for an entire month, with a huge time difference and a bunch of people I haven’t met. Actually, it took most of the first week to get over this. But once I accepted where I was (Florence!) and got to know the incredible people around me, my mindset immediately changed. Now, looking back on this trip, I have no regrets whatsoever. I learned more than I could have possibly imagined, met such amazing people that I know I will remember forever, and was independent in a way I have never experienced before. Abbey Road organized this trip in a way that perfectly balanced structure and organization with freedom and independence. I was skeptical when I signed up for a program with no prerequisite from anyone I knew personally. But this program was so safe and well conducted, and I’ve heard the same from every city (not just Florence). I wish I had found out about this program earlier, because I would do this again without a second thought.

I could not have asked for a better experience here in Florence. The housing, food, students, teachers, activities, and vibes were immaculate. This will be in my memories forever. Thank you Abbey Road!

I had a lot of fun. I saw new things and learned new things. The stuff was amazing, funny and took care of us))) The apartment in Florence was excellent. We did many things together, sometimes it was funny and amazing but sometimes I preferred to do things by my self with my groop of friends.

Everything about Italy pushed me out of my comfort zone, from the people, to the food I was was constantly pushing and expanding my comfort zone. I’ve gained skills that I couldn’t get in any other way and experienced things that will carry with me for the rest of my life. I’ve met lots of different kinda people and was “forced to get to know them” Therefore I have gotten to know and bond with lots of different kinds of people. Italy it’s self was completely different, seeing the way people lived and the way everything was built and how the city was laid out. Overall I’ve enjoyed Italy very much and have grown so much in the past 4 weeks

I think its can be a little unorganized but overall is fun. We really only find out what we're doing a few hours before but the mystery is thrilling. I do find it anxiety inducing at times. Everyone has been nice and has overall been a very pleasant experience of the Tuscan region of italy.