Welcome

The Arts & Humanities Semester in Tuscany is a unique study-abroad program in the heart of Tuscany.  Based in Siena, one of the most beautiful and magical cities in Italy, the program offers full immersion in Italian language and culture, and university credit for courses in the arts & humanities, social studies, and business, as well as opportunities for community service, independent study projects, and professional internships. A more personalized program option is also available.

The Arts & Humanities Semester in Tuscany features Italian language instruction by highly qualified Italian language teachers (all native speakers), using a method based on both guided and spontaneous learning in both classroom and community service situations.

Through its collaboration with the Diapason Music School and its association with the Accademia Musicale Chigiana the A&HST is also able to offer a full-semester Music Program, including applied lessons, ensembles, and music history. For more information, please see Academic Program/Music.

The medieval city of Siena, in many ways the same today as it was 600 years ago, is the perfect setting for the Arts & Humanities Semester in Tuscany.  The city, for the most part free of motorized traffic, is extremely safe and offers a friendly and family-oriented environment where students can feel secure and welcome.

Although small in comparison to Florence and Rome, Siena offers a rich nightlife of restaurants, cafés, pubs, and clubs.

Philosophy

The philosophy of the Arts & Humanities Semester in Tuscany is based on offering students:

• the opportunity for gentle but full immersion in Italian life and culture


• opportunities for community service in and around the beautiful city of Siena


• Italian language classes for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students, using a teaching method based on Full Immersion: Culture, Content, and Service (FICCS)


• a serious academic program in the arts and humanities, social studies, and business that combines classroom teaching with hands-on learning through excursions, interaction with locals, and visits to museums, churches and other sites of historical and architectural significance


The A&HST is designed primarily (but not exclusively) for students in the arts and humanities, whose motivations for studying abroad are based on a true desire to broaden their understanding of Italian history, culture, language, and daily life.