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Siena - Study in Tuscany
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Academics
Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences.
We offer unique courses that explore Italian language, history, and culture, as well as other topics, through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class professors and the opportunity to take courses at Università degli Studi di Siena enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.
Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following program components.
You must take 15–19 credits per semester. The course options that are available to you are determined by language proficiency.
- IES Abroad Italian language course – 4-week intensive Italian (required for beginning and intermediate, 3 credits) – Semester-long beginning or intermediate Italian (optional, 3 credits) – Semester-long advanced Italian (required for advanced students, 4 credits)
- English- or Italian-taught IES Abroad area studies courses (optional, 3 credits)
- Italian-taught courses at the Università degli Studi di Siena If you have at least 4 semesters of college-level Italian, on-site staff may recommend you for enrollment in one or two courses at the Università degli Studi di Siena. (optional, credits vary)
- English-taught Business, Economics, Political Science, or Biotechnology courses at the Università degli Studi di Siena (optional, 3 credits each)
- Internship placement and seminar (optional, 3 credits)
Signature Course
Living Siena: Exploring Historical & Contemporary Tuscan Culture
Take learning outside the classroom as you explore Tuscany in this program’s signature course and develop an independent research project throughout the semester. You’ll visit sites including:
- Piazzas and the cathedral inside Siena’s medieval city walls
- Famous works of Renaissance art in nearby Florence
- Siena’s ancient hospital of Santa Maria Della Scala
Courses
These courses are taught at the IES Abroad Center by local faculty. Your Italian language course will carry 3 credits if you decide to take only the intensive Italian session during the first four weeks of your program. If you would like to continue your Italian language studies beyond the first four weeks, you may take a 3-credit Italian language course which continues through the semester
To learn more about IES Abroad’s innovative theoretical and pedagogical approaches to teaching language abroad, refer to the IES Abroad MAP for Language & Intercultural Communication.
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AH 331 - Renaissance Art and Patronage: Comparing Siena and Florence | Spring | English | 3 |
| HS/AH/CU 390 - Living Siena: Exploring Historical and Contemporary Tuscan Culture | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| HS/AH/CU 390 - Living Siena: Exploring Historical and Contemporary Tuscan Culture | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| EC 320 - Italy and the Economic Integration of Europe | Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| FS 360 - Italian Cinema and Italian Cities | Fall | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SO/HS/GS 325 - Family and Gender in Medieval and Early Modern Italy | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| HS/AH/CU 390 - Living Siena: Exploring Historical and Contemporary Tuscan Culture | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| SO/HS 350 - The Black Death & Its Aftermath | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| SO/HS/GS 325 - Family and Gender in Medieval and Early Modern Italy | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IN 395 - Internship Seminar | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT 101 - Italian Language in Context: Novice Abroad I | Fall, Spring | Italian | 4 |
| IT 102 - Italian Language in Context: Novice Abroad II | Fall, Spring | Italian | 4 |
| IT 301 - Italian Language in Context: Emerging Independent Abroad I | Fall, Spring | Italian | 4 |
| IT 351 - Italian Language in Context: Independent Abroad I | Fall, Spring | Italian | 4 |
| IT 401 - Italian Language in Context: Emerging Competent Abroad I | Fall, Spring | Italian | 4 |
| IT 451 - Italian Language in Context: Competent Abroad | Fall, Spring | English | 4 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| LT 330 - Dante's Commedia in Historical Context | Fall | English | 3 |
| LT 331 - The Literature of Love | Spring | Italian | 3 |
| LT 333 - The Grand Tour of Tuscany in Literature | Spring | English | 3 |
| LT 334 - Identity Between Dream and Reality in Italian Literature (Italian-taught) | Fall | Italian | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PO/PH 342 - History of Italian Political Philosophy (Italian-taught) | Fall | Italian | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PO 343 - Mafia, Society and Politics in Italy | Fall | English | 3 |
| PO 356 - The "Autobiography of a Nation?" The History and Ideology of Italian Fascism | Spring | Italian | 3 |
| PO/PH 342 - History of Italian Political Philosophy (Italian-taught) | Fall | Italian | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| SO/HS 350 - The Black Death & Its Aftermath | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| SO/HS/GS 325 - Family and Gender in Medieval and Early Modern Italy | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
Partner Institution(s)
Università degli Studi di Siena
www.unisi.it
Founded in the 13th century, the Università is one of Europe’s oldest universities. The campus is spread throughout the city, including subterranean spaces and crypts. Highly regarded courses are available in the following disciplines, and are taught in Italian unless otherwise indicated:
- Anthropology-Ethnology
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Biotechnology (English-taught)
- Business (English-taught)
- Economics (English- or Italian-taught)
- Engineering
- History
- International Relations
- Law • Literature
- Mathematics
- Philosophy
- Political Science (English- or Italian-taught)
- Sociology
Get to know local and international students through activities at the Università degli Studi di Siena. You will be provided with a membership to the Erasmus student network, a group that organizes social activities for international students. You will also receive periodical newsletters publicizing events around Siena, and on-site staff will assist you with getting involved in activities, such as clubs or gyms.
Internships
Did you know that, while in Siena, you can intern as part of your study abroad experience? With a part-time internship, you’ll gain global work experience that will increase your job readiness and give you an advantage after graduation. With an internship, you will:
- Take an important step in your career development by navigating the professional world with our support.
- Learn more about yourself both personally and professionally and build confidence in the process.
- Experience what working in Siena is really like and gain an authentic understanding of the workplace culture while developing real, applicable job skills that will bolster your career readiness.
- Begin building an international network by making connections with coworkers and peers.
All of our internships are supervised and earn IES Abroad credit. You participate in a 3-credit seminar to complement the practical experience you gain during the internship for a greater understanding of work life in your host country.
Personalized Placements
Once you indicate your interest in an internship, we work with you to find the ideal placement that satisfies your interests and goals. We’ve placed student with a wide variety of organizations and businesses. If we don’t currently offer placements in your field of interest, we will look for one that’s right for you.
Placement Examples
Past students have interned in the following fields. Don’t see what you’re looking for? Just talk to your IES Abroad Advisor—we are always looking for new internship opportunities for our students.
- Accounting
- Archaeology
- Architecture
- Chemistry
- Education
- Educational Administration
- Hospitality
- International Relations
Field Trips & Events
Even though your adventure starts in Siena, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the cultures and traditions of your host country. You share a portion of the cost with IES Abroad. Here are a few possible destinations:
Milan
3 Days | Fall
Spend three days discovering Milan, world-renowned as the European capital of fashion, design, architecture, publishing, modern art, and music.
Bologna
2 Days | Spring
Spend three days discovering some of the many cultural and historical monuments in Bologna and the Emilia Romagna region—one of the richest and most beautiful in Italy, known for its regional cuisine.
Valdorcia
2 Days | Fall & Spring
Visit the large, Corsini family-owned baking facility and compare it to the small-scale Corsini production back in Siena. Also, learn about chestnut beer production, and tour a facility that produces olive oil using only sustainable energy. Spend the night in an agriturismo where fresh honey is produced.
Verona & Padua
2 Days | Spring
Discover these two beautiful and dynamic cities located in northern Italy. During this trip we will discover the rich history of Verona famous for the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet and Padua with the famous Scrovegni chapel and its old university where Galileo spent a good part of his academic career.
Chianti
1 Day | Fall & Spring
Explore the wine-making areas near Siena and learn about how Chianti wine countributes to the region's economy and culture. You will also visit a pasta producer in the region.
San Gimignano
1 Day | Fall
After a visit and lunch in a local agriturismo, explore the small, walled, medieval town known for its skyline which earns the town its nickname of “The Town of Fine Towers.”
Via Francigena
1 Day | Spring
Partake in a hiking outing along the Siena portion of an old pilgrimage route running from Rome to France.
IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and length of stay may vary according to term and availability.
Course-Related Trips
IES Abroad Siena organizes course-related trips that complement your academics and contribute to your knowledge of Italian culture and society. All course-related trips are included in your program cost and depend on course enrollment. Past course-related trips have included:
- Florence - Explore the culture and identity of Florence as you take in the topography, architecture, art, and spirit of the city on multiple day-long faculty-led trips.
- Sites from the Renaissance and Medieval Periods - Discover how the past enriches the present cultural identity of Siena through visits to sites such as San Domenico Basilica, Banchi di Sopra, Piazza Tolomeni, and Croce del Travaglio.
- Palazzo Pubblico-Town Hall - Learn about the architecture and history of Palazzo Pubblico and its chapel.
- Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and Siena's Duomo - Conduct a case study of the Duomo area and find out about how the Sienese imagery was projected onto the public spaces in the city to present a distinct ancient identity.
- Local Food Producers - Learn about food production, explore the workings of a Sienese bakery, or tour a chocolate shop.
- Ancient Hospital of Santa Maria Della Scala - Consider the roles pilgrimage and devotional ritual played at Siena’s prestigious hospital. Visit the dungeons of the hospital and the vault where Black Death victims’ bones are on display.
Daily Life
Part of making you feel at home in Siena is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it is an orientation program that makes you feel prepared, housing that is well located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services.
Orientation
Our orientation introduces you to the IES Abroad Siena staff, your fellow students, and the city of Siena.
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins at home with our virtual orientation to help you prepare for your IES Abroad experience. Orientation continues throughout the semester with activities focusing on academic and cultural adjustment. Detailed information about housing, public transportation, culture, health and safety, and other important topics are also covered.
During this time, you’ll also have a few intensive sessions of survival Italian to help you navigate Siena during the term. You can continue your study of Italian throughout the semester if you wish.
In addition to intensive Italian language sessions, settle into your new home in Siena as you sample aperitivi with Italian students, visit the Contrada Museum, tour a winery in the Tuscan countryside, and explore the medieval past of Siena’s city center during a walking tour.
Housing
Apartments – Share an apartment with other IES Abroad students and possibly a local Italian student in the city center. Furnished apartments are single-sex, and usually two students share a bedroom. Apartments have equipped kitchens, and you are responsible for your own meals. Internet access and a washing machine are also available. Your Italian roommates can help with improving your Italian language skills, getting to know Siena, and immersing yourself in the local culture. They also serve as a first point of contact for housing questions.
Homestays – Choosing to live in a homestay is a great way to experience cultural integration. Homestays are only available to students of the Study in Tuscany Program, and generally house one or two students. Accommodations vary, and hosts provide you with light daily breakfasts and one additional daily meal.
Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events
Redefine the way you live and learn in Siena through cultural events, such as:
- Guest lectures
- Language exchange meetings with Italian students from the University of Siena and the University for Foreigners
- Outings to local music performances, operas, and plays
- Cooking classes
- University of Siena lectures, seminars, and conferences
- Special dinners and events sponsored by a Contrada of Siena
- Sporting events in Siena
- Special museum exhibits
Università degli Studi di Siena - University Clubs & Events
One of the best ways to integrate yourself into the host culture and to meet local students is to become involved in groups and activities on campus. You can meet local students while dining at the University Cafeterias, and bond with other international students through participating group organized activities.
Get to Know Your New City
Explore the Region
Discover the Tuscany countryside surrounding Siena through field trips, personal travel, and more.
Wander Through the 17 Contrade
The 17 neighborhoods of Siena date back to the Middle Ages and still define life today.
Taste Traditional Tuscan Dishes
From world-famous olive oil to bistecca fiorentina, there’s plenty to taste throughout Tuscany. Our tip: try the Pici Cacio e Pepe!
Practice Unaccented Italian in the Heart of Tuscany
Whether its while boutique shopping or ordering a pizza, Siena is the perfect environment for improving your italian.
Enjoy the Sights in the Piazza Del Campo
Grab a snack, a book, or some friends and head over to the Piazza to spend an afternoon lounging in the sun.
Program Cost
Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.
Scholarships & Aid
Featured Scholarships
Robert McNeill Need-Based International Business Scholarship
This scholarship is named in honor of Robert McNeill, member of the IES Abroad Board of Directors for 25 years (6 years as Chairman). Open to students who have an interest in international business. Majors might include management, marketing, economics, finance, international relations, and social and behavioral sciences.
Dr. William Louis Gaines Need-Based History or International Relations Scholarship
This scholarship is named in honor of Dr. William Louis Gaines, President of IES Abroad from 1974-1992. Dr. Gaines was dedicated to strengthening IES Abroad's academic framework, broadening the scope of IES Abroad locations, and securing the financial foundation of the organization.
Open to students majoring in History or International Relations.
Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Our Center
The IES Abroad Siena Center is located in a palace on the famous Piazza del Campo – a large, sunny plaza that is center of social life in Siena. The palace, called Palazzo Chigi Zondadari, was built in the 18th century and served as a home to the prominent Chigi family whose lineage includes many intellectuals, artists, businessmen, and even a pope!
Features include:
- Multimedia classrooms
- Student lounge and library
- Computer stations
- Wireless Internet access throughout the Center
Our Staff
Veronica Semeraro
Center Director
Veronica Semeraro has worked at our IES Abroad Siena Center since the founding of the program in 2006 when she was hired as the Student Affairs Coordinator. Since that time, she has been actively involved in all aspects of the program, including housing, customized programs, arrival and orientation, field trips, and academic coordination. Veronica was promoted to Center Director of IES Abroad Siena in 2012.
Prior to working with IES Abroad, Veronica graduated with honors in Archaeology from the University of Siena. Her thesis addressed the GIS platform of the newly discovered and frescoed rooms beneath the Cathedral of Siena. She contributed, with vectorial maps and archaeological drawings, to the publication Sotto il Duomo di Siena (2003). Upon winning a research grant following graduation, Veronica spent six years working in the University of Siena archaeology laboratory in Computer Science. She also spent several years drawing dig maps while working on site in various important archaeological digs in Tuscany (rooms beneath the Siena Cathedral, castle of Miranduolo, Podium Bonizio village) specializing in GIS technology. Veronica is an avid traveler and a member of an all-female Brazilian drum group in Siena.
IES Abroad Siena Staff
Vittoria Moggi
Student Services Coordinator
Giulia Oliva
Student Affairs Assistant
Health & Safety
With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter what time zone you’re in.
In response to COVID-19, enhanced safety guidelines will be implemented this year—such as social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) in on-site classes, in-country field trips and travel only, and apartment or residence hall housing (no homestays) that ensures proper space should self-quarantining be necessary.
How We Support You
We plan for "what if" so that you don't have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.
Learn more about the support you can expect to receive on our programs, including:
- International health insurance through CISI in the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional
- 24/7 emergency support whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city
- Location-specific health and safety information presented at orienation by on-site staff
- TripTracker system allowing you to share independent travel plans in case you need to be contacted swiftly in a crisis
- A mandatory cell phone policy so that you can be contacted locally and receive any emergency updates via call or text
- Crisis drills so that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise
- And more!
Health & Safety Resources
You safety begins with being accurately informed from the moment you're considering study abroad through to the day you return home.
Take note of ways you can maintain your health and stay safe abroad while reviewing our resources, including:
- IES Abroad MAP for Student Health, Safety & Crisis Management
- Study Abroad Safety Tips for Traveling
- IES Abroad Student Blogs on Safety and Mental Health
- And more!
Latest from Siena
Contact a Past Student
From budgeting tips to housing insight, IES Abroad Ambassadors volunteer their study abroad and internship experiences and advice.
