| Siena, Italy |
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Quick Facts
Why Siena?
City Description - Small city of 55,000One of Italy’s most enchanting cities, Siena offers everything that you might expect but with less hassle than a large city. A Unesco World Heritage Site, Siena is maintained in a well-preserved Gothic state. Locals and visitors alike boast about the many luxuries of Siena that can be difficult to find in its neighboring Tuscan cities – one can visit most museums and churches without spending a Euro, and long lines are rare. These historic sites are home to a number of well-known Renaissance art pieces that you would normally expect to see in larger galleries or art museums. Siena was the first European city to ban motor traffic in its historic center back in 1966. This makes navigating the city by foot not only easy, but pleasant and peaceful as well. The Piazza del Campo in the city center is an architectural wonder and host to the famous Palio di Siena horse race, a Sienese tradition since 1656 held twice a year. On any given day, the Piazza, which is known as one of Europe’s great medieval squares, is bustling with gatherings of friends and families. The welcoming and friendly atmosphere is contagious. Students report that they are truly able to immerse themselves in the Italian way of life, meeting local students from all over Italy and embracing all that life in Siena can offer. Siena’s cuisine is distinguished by the high quality ingredients that are so easy to come by in a city where agriculture is its main source of economy. Sienese meats, vegetables, herbs and olive oils and the local favorite pasta, pici, are hailed as some of the best in all of Italy. Moreover, because Siena is a smaller and less busy than other Italian cities, you won’t feel that you’re paying extra to enjoy the regional flavors. Siena is located just over 1 hour from Florence and only 3 hours from Rome, so day trips or weekend getaways to larger cities are easily planned and executed. Siena School for Liberal ArtsThe Siena School for Liberal Arts offers students a unique study abroad experience in one of the oldest and most beautiful university towns in Italy. Through the Siena School you will go beyond merely observing the life of this beautiful city; you will be drawn into dialogue with the environment that surrounds you. Classes provide the instruments and insight you need to make a connection and leave a mark, be it through what you say, write, create or perform. In this way you are not a mere visitor, but a real contributor to the life of the city. The Siena School offers you a vision to grow and learn in your study abroad experience through a wide range of exciting and innovative courses, taught in English and Italian, internships in the Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, as well as wonderful opportunities in Community Service and a variety of Extracurricular Activities. Small classes allow close collaboration between students and faculty. In addition, the school serves as a cultural institute, selects yearly research themes and organizes public interdisciplinary conferences that connect the school with the local community. Students with sufficient language skills may enroll in courses at the University of Siena. The Siena School is also affiliated with local non-profit organizations. Students can work as interns in these organizations or participate in social and cultural projects. The program begins with an intensive immersion into Italian language and Culture. Students are divided into Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced Italian based on language experience. Lessons on grammar, language labs, and group activities will be held daily. After the three weeks of Intensive Italian, regular classes begin. Elective classes meet twice a week, while Italian Language and Culture classes continue to meet daily. Students who choose to do an internship will meet for class one to two times a week depending on the arrangement with the professor. Internships and volunteer projects are available in Anthropology, Art Restoration, Italian Sign Language & Deaf Culture (internships only available Spring semester), Book Art & Book Restoration, or History of Music. HousingStudents live with a local host family that are centrally located and within reasonable distance to classes. Breakfast and dinner are included. Student Services & FacilitiesThe Siena School building is located in Castelvecchio, a beautiful, central medieval neighborhood near the Cathedral and Piazza del Campo. The school is housed on the top floor of the Istituto Pendola, a beautiful 19th-century building originally set up to house a famous School for the Deaf with stunning views of ancient Siena below and the verdant Tuscan countryside beyond the city gates. The recently renovated facilities include 3 modern classrooms with AV equipment, a spacious, luminous painting and book art studio, a darkroom, a library, modern restrooms, student lounge, and kitchen. InternshipThe Siena School has designed a unique academic track that stems from the school’s long-term collaboration with a variety of different city organizations and institutes. The objective of our internships is for students to have a truly hands-on experience in an authentic Italian setting of what they are learning in class. We currently offer internships in Art Restoration, Deaf Studies, Book Restoration, Music, and Anthropology. Depending on students’ interests, they will be able to do internships in areas such as working with an Italian art restorer, working in a home for the elderly, in a center for psychiatric rehabilitation, or with the local association for the Deaf. All internships are combined with academic courses run at the school. This is the perfect option for those students who really want a cultural immersion that goes beyond the classroom experience.
Costs and DatesClick here for Billing Information
What's Included - Siena
Not Included:
Click here for Billing Information NOTE: If you need a "Costs of Attendance" budget for your financial aid office, or simply need more details about the additional costs listed above, please email chelsea(at)academicstudies.com. Program CalendarClick here for program calendars FAQsIf you have questions about HOW TO APPLY and make sure your credits transfer back to your home university, please CLICK HERE. We encourage both prospective students and parents, as well as those who have already been accepted to an ASA program, to visit our INFORMATION LIBRARY. Here you will find tons of helpful info to help you know what to plan for and what to expect, such as:
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