Siena Summer - Tradition & Cuisine in Tuscany | IES Abroad

Siena Summer - Tradition & Cuisine in Tuscany

Why Siena?

Nestled in the Tuscan countryside, Siena is a beautiful medieval city located 35 miles southwest of Florence. Immerse yourself in Italian society, cuisine, and culture, while enjoying easy access to the Tuscan capital, the sea, and the renowned Tuscan landscape.

As a student spending the summer in Siena, you will also have the incredible chance to witness the uniquely Sienese tradition of the Palio—which dates back to the 1600s. Prepare to get swept up in the excitement and passion the local people of Siena have for this event as they prepare and celebrate within their contradas, or local communities—who will ultimately compete for the win in the Palio horse race. The event itself takes place just steps away from the IES Abroad Center in the Piazza del Campo. Unlike a tourist visiting just for the race, your coursework and experiences guided by the IES Abroad Siena staff—many who are locals and part of a contrada as well—will give you a much deeper understanding and an insider's appreciation of this celebration.

What You'll Study

Enroll in a course on the history and tradition of the Palio and Contrade of Siena or study Tuscan culture and cuisine. By combining coursework with study outside the classroom, you will experience the rich cultural heritage of Tuscany.

This program offers you an opportunity to get an insider’s view of the Palio—a famous horse race which occurs every summer in one of the most recognized piazzas in the world, Piazza del Campo. Each racehorse represents one of the 17 historic neighborhoods, or contrade, of Siena, to which Sienese identity is fundamentally tied.

As a student on this program, you discover how the Palio is not simply a horse race, but a combination of rituals, rules, and traditions that have roots in the Middle Ages.

You'll also study the economic, socio-historic, and cultural aspects of Tuscan food by participating in cooking classes and visiting restaurants, gelato laboratories, dairies, and vineyards.

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$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid

We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from participating in an IES Abroad Program. This is why we commit more than $6 million to our scholarship and aid programs.

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Academics

Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences.

You are required to enroll 2 courses, for a total of 6 credits. You can take 2 area studies courses or 1 language course plus 1 area studies course.

Past disciplines have included:

Culture & Cuisine
History
Italian Language (beginning and intermediate)
Sociology

Courses

This is a list of planned course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your MyIESabroad account.

Cultural Studies
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
SO/CU/HS 250 - History and Culture of Food in Italy and Tuscany	Summer	English	3

History
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
HS 255 - The Palio and the Contrade of Siena	Summer	English	3
SO/CU/HS 250 - History and Culture of Food in Italy and Tuscany	Summer	English	3

Italian
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
IT 101 - Italian Language in Context: Novice Abroad I	Summer	Italian	3
IT 301 - Italian Language in Context: Emerging Independent Abroad I	Summer	Italian	3
IT 401 - Italian Language in Context: Emerging Competent Abroad I	Summer	Italian	3

Sociology
Course Name	Term	Language	Credits
SO/CU/HS 250 - History and Culture of Food in Italy and Tuscany	Summer	English	3

Field Trips & Events

Several one-to three-day field trips are organized each summer. You pay a portion of the cost, and IES Abroad subsidizes a majority of the trip. Possible sites include:

Naples
Pompeii
Populonia/Baratti

Course-Related Trips

IES Abroad Siena organizes course-related trips that complement what you’re learning in the classroom, and contribute to your general knowledge of Italian culture and society.

Course-related trips may include:

A visit to an organic farm
Attendance at Palio events
Cooking demonstrations
Tours of San Gimignano

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. This is just one of the things we’re known for.

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.

From authentic Italian meals to a guided tour of the city, this program will give you a "taste" of the city and help prepare you for your Sienese summer.

Housing

We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Siena, it will feel like home.

Apartments

Live with other IES Abroad students, and possibly local Italian students, in the historic center of town. Furnished apartments are single-sex and include fully equipped kitchens. Meals are not included.

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.

Term: Summer 2022
Term	Tuition	Housing	Insurance	Total
Summer 2022	$5,931	$1,737	$135	$7,803

Scholarships & Aid

Featured Scholarships

Summer Need-Based Financial Aid

Up to $1,000

Open to students who apply to and attend an IES Abroad or IES Internships summer program.

Criteria reviewed to determine award:

Level of financial need as determined from information provided on the application. Priority is given to Pell Grant recipients.
IES Abroad program location.
IES Abroad membership status of home campus

Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs

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$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid

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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.

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student in denim jacket looking over shoulder and smiling

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 orientation 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!

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