Siena, located in the heart of Tuscany, is known for its Medieval and Renaissance art, as well as its Palio, a colorful horse race in historic costume on the piazza. This exquisite hilltown lies within easy reach of Florence (one hour), Rome (two and a half hours), and the Mediterranean (one and a half hours).
Its unique landscape has inspired generations of painters such as Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Simone Martini (both members of the Scuola Senese), Pinturicchio and Domenico Beccafumi. Many of their works hang in the splendid Pinacoteca Nazionale. The magnificent Gothic Cathedral in black and white marbel contains, among other treasures, the Chapel of Pius II, the humanist pope, Enea Silvio Piccolomini.
During our program, classes are held at the University of Siena. Students are housed usually in double rooms with shared baths in the dormitories of the University, most of which date to the Renaissance. Lunch and dinner are taken in the frescoed dining halls of the University.
Program Structure
The program integrates classroom study with real world experience of Italy outside the classroom. As a program participant you will be matched with a student of the University of Siena with whom you will meet regularly. Special lectures will supplement the program.
Classes at the third and fourth semester level meet 3 1/2 hours a day, Monday through Friday, and focus on contemporary language and culture.
These courses, designated Italian 205 and 206, count towards both the Italian major and the Correlate Sequence in Italian at Vassar college.
The program is open to students in good standing at other institutions who have completed two semesters of the elementary Italian, or the equivalent. The program is directed by Italian faculty at Vassar College.
Courses are taught by local University faculty with teaching experience in the United States.
Conditions of approval: a general GPA of 3.0, and a B+ in Italian.
Field Trips
At the beginning and end of the program we will spend a few days visiting Rome. We will devote a long weekend trip to Venice and Padua. Local field trips include visits to Florence, cradle of the Renaissance, the countryside around Siena (Pienza, Castiglione d'Orcia, the Chianti Region) and some open air spas.
As guests of its owner, a Vassar alumna, we will also visit Villa Spannochia, the seat of the Etruscan Foundation and a center for the study of alternative farming and environmental preservation.
Students will have two free weekends in which to explore nearby regions: the Italian Riviera, Portofino and the Cinque Terre, the Tuscan islands (Elba, Giglio, Capraia), the hill-towns of Umbria (Assisi, Spoleto and Perugia), and the marble quarries and beaches of Versilia.
Costs and Deadlines
Costs include: instruction, room, partial board (two meals a day), round-trip flight (New York-Rome-New York), ground transportation (Rome-Siena-Rome, Siena-Venice-Siena), field trips, tour guides and admissions.
The following are not included: one meal a day, personal expenses, text books, medical insurance, and air transportation within the United States.
The total cost corresponds to two Vassar tuition credits.
Students depart from New York in the middle of July, and return after approximately five weeks.
Student Responsibilities
During the program the same rules and regulations apply as at Vassar. Students must also follow the rules of the University of Siena. Students must provide their own health, accident and other insurance; it is advisable to have such insurance.
Refunds
If a student withdraws from the program prior to departure, only the monies that have not been committed for the student's participation can be refunded. After the student's arrival in Italy, a refund can be made only in case of serious illness or an emergency that requires the student to return to the United States.
For more information, contact: Angela Smith