Siena: A Perfect Place to Experience Italy Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

CET is definitely more academically demanding then other Study Abroad Programs. Classes met often and we had readings to do as well as tests to study for and papers to write. However, mosts classes weren't in the classroom and I enjoyed all of them. The classes really enhanced my experience of the country and the culture. I learned much better being on-site learning about something rather than in a traditional classroom setting. The grading was fair and none of the assignments were very difficult. You need to study for tests but if you pay attention in class, studying will not be a major issue. All of the subjects are engaging and the small class sizes really accomodate personalized learning. You will know your teachers and love them. I was overall really happy with all of my courses.

On-site administration of your program

The Resident Director is wonderful. She sets up great activities for the program and is super accessible and is always willing to help and give advice. The CET office is only open during class hours, which can be frustrating if you need access to something in it outside of class, but the RD runs the place herself so we understood she couldn't be there all of the time. CET does a wonderful job in being helpful and in introducing you in Siena when you get there but is also gives you a lot of freedom to form your experience as you want to. CET has one travelling seminar (to Rome and Catania in the fall and Spring and around Tuscany during the summer) that is wonderful. Professors come along to teach you on site and you also have opportunities to explore. The program size was also a huge plus. There were only 11 of us and we all became really close. We were also from different universities which I really liked.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Siena has a small town feel and I always felt safe, even at night. Everything within the city walls (where everyone lived during my semester) is within 20-30 minute walking distance and most of the apartments were in the center of everything. If you live with a host, they make dinner every night and clean and do laundry (they are also just wonderful ppl who you will come to love). In the apartments you will live with other CET students and Italian roommates. I believe bedding (or at least blankets) are provided and anything else you would need for an apt is there. My host welcomed me into her family and still today I consider her my Italian mother. We all became close with the Italian roommates who were both great resources and friends.

You can't really go wrong with Italian food. Every restuarant, cafe and eatery in Siena is wonderful! The further you get away from the masses of tourists, the better and the cheaper the food is. Italians love their meat but its also extremely easy to be a vegetarian there. All of the food is fresh and soo yummy! KopaKabana has the BEST gelato-- and there are two in Siena!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The program is small so you become really close with everyone in it. There is also an Italian and an International University in Siena so there are a ton of college students. There aren't too many bars or places to dance at night but there are a handful which are really fun and are packed with students on different nights. There are places with live music as well as places with more of a danceclub feel and other places where everyone just sits around and hangs out. The city center is not only a tourist favorite but also where all of the locals and students gravitate. Siena is a place with a very strong sense of history that is encompassed by the Palio, a medieval horse race that still runs strong today.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Luckily we didn't face any incidents where health and safety really came up. One of my friends in the program once had to go to the doctor and our RD helped her every step of the way. CET provides you with some type of insurance but I'm not sure exactly what it covers. The city itself is really safe and clean.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

The program is language intensive so we had a lot of classtime. The professors were great! They were native italian speakers and most were locals. Living in Siena where even some shopkeepers don't speak English was so helpful in being able to practice the language everyday. When I went to Florence, shopkeepers would respond to my broken Italian with English but the Sienese always responded in Italian. CET also set me up with a language partner who greatly helped me improve my Italian and who became one of my dear friends.

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