IES Siena: Study in Tuscany
- Location: Siena, Italy
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Language of Instruction: English and Italian
- Class Eligibility: Juniors
Introduction
Siena is a stunningly beautiful city nestled in the Tuscan countryside 35 miles southwest of Florence. Founded nearly 2,000 years ago, Siena offers a rich cultural heritage, is surrounded by well- preserved medieval buildings, and features one of the most unique and famous piazzas in the world. Siena is also the gateway to enchanting Tuscan villages, such as Montepulciano and Montalcino. Siena has been named one of the world’s ten best UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Visa:
Required. Non-US citizens should consult with IES and the Office of International Student Support before applying to the program.
Additional Visa Information - Fees: Students pay Haverford tuition only to Haverford College. Haverford will then be responsible for submitting tuition payments to the program. Student pays room and board fees directly to IES.
Academic Overview
Requirements
No previous Italian language study is required. Students planning to take courses in Italian must have taken an appropriate level Italian course no more than one year prior to the program start date. Students must enroll in an appropriate-level IES Italian language course. Placement is determined by the results of pre-departure and on-site language tests.
Academic Credit
Students must carry 15 credit hours per semester. Students are not permitted to take less than 15 credits unless they have the permission of their dean and advisor in advance. Italian majors/minors must take all their major courses in Italian at the University of Siena or at the Center. Italian majors cannot take courses toward their major/minor in English at the Center.
Students may not fulfill their their language requirement on this program because no intensive course is offered. Transfer credit will only be granted for courses in which students receive a grade of a C (2.0) or above.
Curriculum
No previous Italian language study is required.
Course Highlights
Art History, Cultural Studies, European Studies, Gender Studies, Film Studies, History, Italian Language, Italian Studies, Italian Literature, Linguistics, Literature, Political Economy, Political Science, Sociology
Note: Changes occur frequently. Students are responsible for finding the classes they need and consulting the official site of the institution.
Non-Academic Overview
Orientation
Three week continuing orientation program that includes general meetings, workshops, intensive Italian language classes, and a field trip to scenic and historically significant areas outside of Siena.
Number of Students
Approximately 10-30 students participate on this program each semester. Siena is a small city of about 50,000 inhabitants, 20,000 of whom are students at the two major local universities. Siena hosts very few American study abroad programs compared to Florence.
Housing/Meal Plans
Homestay or apartment. Haverford students may not opt for housing not arranged by the program.
Notes
Additional Resources
- Support for LGTBQIA+ Students
- IES Abroad Student Diversity & Access
- Mental Health & Self Care While Abroad
- Diversity Abroad
Options
- Semester
Dates
- Semester I: Early September to mid-August
- Semester II: Late January to early May
Application Deadlines
- Semester I: March 1
- Semester II: October 1