About the Program
History comes to life in Siena, as is most evident in the robust life of the contrade— neighborhood districts that divide Siena into 17 large families with common customs and traditions dating back to the Middle Ages.
This program’s signature course, Living Siena: Exploring Historical & Contemporary Tuscan Culture, guides you on an exploration of the region as you develop an independent research project throughout the semester. Our esteemed faculty take learning outside the classroom with visits to local sites and museums, as well as activities with a contrada. Customize your academic experience with an Italian language course, English- or Italian taught area studies courses, and an optional part-time internship.