Siena, Italy

Study in Tuscany

Study Abroad
Program Options:
Part-Time Internship
Length:
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

At a Glance

Housing:

Apartment, Homestay

Credits:

15 to 19 per Semester

Language of Instruction:

English, Italian

Language Prerequisites:

None

Part-Time Internship (Optional):

Included in Program Fee

Visa Required:

Yes

About the Program

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. Customize your academic experience with an Italian language course, English- or Italian taught area studies courses, and an optional part-time internship.

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Tuscany Will Be Your Classroom

Visit to Siena’s piazze and Florentine Renaissance art.

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Enjoy Student Life in Siena

Enjoy the libraries, cafeterias, and WiFi in University buildings.

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Enroll at a Local University

You may be able to take courses at the University.

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Gain Hands-On Experience

Add an optional internship placement and accompanying seminar.

Fall 2025

Program Dates:

Early September - Mid December

Application Deadline:

Program Advisor

Macey Schondel headshot

Macey Schondel

Once you’ve applied for a program, I’ll be your direct point of contact. From housing to course registration and everything in between, I’m here to help you prepare to study abroad. Once you’re accepted to your program, you’ll find even more detailed information about what you need to know before you depart in your Predeparture Guide. Let’s get started!

📱 800.995.2300 ✉️ study@IESabroad.org

About the Destination

Siena under the stars at night

Why Siena?

The enchanting city of Siena is your home base as you explore all that Tuscany has to offer. World-renowned cuisine, more than 120 nature reserves, medieval masterpieces everywhere you turn, and the hustle and bustle of Florence (just an hour away).

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 customes and traditions dating back to the Middle Ages. Through activities of your contrada, you can learn from your neighbors how the contrade have influenced social, political, and religious life for centuries. 

Learn More About Siena

Get to Know Your New City

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Explore the Region

Discover the Tuscan countryside.

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Wander Through the 17 Contrade

The 17 neighborhoods of Siena date back to the Middle Ages.

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Taste Traditional Tuscan Dishes

There’s plenty to taste throughout Tuscany.

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Enjoy the Sights in the Piazza Del Campo

The Piazza is the perfect place to spend an afternoon.

The Student Experience

San Paolo
Gemma Colasanti,

My Siena Mementos

It’s been almost two weeks since my time in Siena ended, and while I’m excited to be back home with my family and my cats, I’m starting to miss the life I had...

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Housing

A living room with pale yellow walls, a dining room table, and large windows.
  • Apartment
  • Homestay

Apartment

Share an apartment with other IES Abroad students – and possibly a local Italian student – in the city center. Furnished apartments are single-sex, and two students usually share a bedroom. Apartments have equipped kitchens and you are responsible for your own meals. Internet access and a washing machine are also available. Your Italian roommates can help with improving your Italian language skills, getting to know Siena, and immersing yourself in the local culture. They also serve as a first point-of-contact for housing questions.

Academics

Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences.

We offer unique courses that explore Italian language, history, and culture, as well as other topics, through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class professors and the opportunity to take courses at Università degli Studi di Siena enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.

Partner Institution

 City of Siena
  • Università degli Studi di Siena

Università degli Studi di Siena

Founded in the 13th century, the Università is one of Europe’s oldest universities. The campus is spread throughout the city, including subterranean spaces and crypts.

Get to know local and international students through activities at the Università degli Studi di Siena. You will be provided with a membership to the Erasmus student network – a group that organizes social activities for international students. You will also receive periodical newsletters publicizing events around Siena, and on-site staff will assist you with getting involved in activities, such as clubs or gyms.

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Courses

Create your own academic experience by selecting from the following program components.

You must take 15–19 credits per semester. The course options that are available to you are determined by language proficiency.

  • IES Abroad Italian language course

    4-week intensive Italian (required for beginning and intermediate, 3 credits)

    Semester-long beginning or intermediate Italian (optional, 3 credits)

    Semester-long advanced Italian (required for advanced students, 4 credits)

  • English- or Italian-taught IES Abroad area studies courses (optional, 3 credits)
  • Italian-taught courses at the Università degli Studi di Siena If you have at least 4 semesters of college-level Italian, on-site staff may recommend you for enrollment in one or two courses at the Università degli Studi di Siena. (optional, credits vary)
  • English-taught Business, Economics, Political Science, or Biotechnology courses at the Università degli Studi di Siena (optional, 3 credits each)
  • Internship placement and seminar (optional, 3 credits)

Signature Course

Living Siena: Exploring Historical & Contemporary Tuscan Culture

Take learning outside the classroom as you explore Tuscany in this program’s signature course and develop an independent research project throughout the semester. You’ll visit sites including: 

  • Piazzas and the cathedral inside Siena’s medieval city walls 
  • Famous works of Renaissance art in nearby Florence
  • Siena’s ancient hospital of Santa Maria Della Scala

To learn more about IES Abroad’s innovative theoretical and pedagogical approaches to teaching language abroad, refer to the IES Abroad MAP for Language & Intercultural Communication.

NOTE: This is a list of planned course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your MyIESabroad account. Additionally, IES Abroad reserves the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond our control.

IES Abroad Courses

Disciplines (16)

Partner Institution Courses

Università degli Studi di Siena

Highly regarded courses are available in the following disciplines, and are taught in Italian unless otherwise indicated:

  • Anthropology-Ethnology
  • Archaeology
  • Art History
  • Biotechnology (English-taught)
  • Business (English-taught)
  • Economics (English- or Italian-taught)
  • Engineering
  • History
  • International Relations
  • Law
  • Literature
  • Mathematics
  • Philosophy
  • Political Science (English- or Italian-taught)
  • Sociology

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PRO-TIP

Apply for your passport today!

Getting your passport is a crucial step for studying abroad. With processing times taking longer than usual, consider this a gentle reminder to not procrastinate on getting or renewing your passport.

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Field Trips

Even though your adventure starts in Siena, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. All trips are included in the program fee unless otherwise noted with ($).

NOTE: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability. 

A bowl of Pasta Bolognese being served onto small plates.

Bologna

2 Days Spring

Spend two days discovering some of the many cultural and historical monuments in Bologna and the Emilia Romagna region — one of the richest and most beautiful in Italy, known for its regional cuisine.

Valdorcia

2 Days Fall & Spring

Visit the large, Corsini family-owned baking facility and compare it to the small-scale Corsini production back in Siena. You'll also learn about chestnut beer production and tour a facility that produces olive oil using only sustainable energy.

Students standing and smiling at the camera in a narrow street in Chianti, Italy. The buildings behind and around them are made of varying colors of brick.

Chianti

1 Day Fall & Spring

Explore the wine-making areas near Siena and learn about how Chianti wine contributes to the region’s economy and culture. You'll also visit a pasta producer in the region.

A rounded archway leading to a staircase. Light from the sun has caused the archway itself to be dark, but brightly lit at the end.

San Gimignano

1 Day Fall

After a visit and lunch in a local agriturismo, explore the small, walled, medieval town known for its skyline which earns the town its nickname of “The Town of Fine Towers.”

A student stands on a long trail path admiring a fruit in their hand. The path leads to a Tuscan-style home.

Via Francigena

1 Day Spring

Partake in a hiking outing along the Siena portion of an old pilgrimage route running from Rome to France.

Part-Time Internships

Did you know that, while in Siena, you can intern as part of your study abroad experience? With a part-time internship, you’ll gain global work experience that will increase your job readiness and give you an advantage after graduation. With an internship, you will: 

  • Take an important step in your career development by navigating the professional world with our support. 
  • Learn more about yourself both personally and professionally and build confidence in the process. 
  • Experience what working in Siena is really like and gain an authentic understanding of the workplace culture while developing real, applicable job skills that will bolster your career readiness. 
  • Begin building an international network by making connections with coworkers and peers. 

All of our internships are supervised and earn IES Abroad credit. You participate in a 3-credit seminar to complement the practical experience you gain during the internship for a greater understanding of work life in your host country. 

Placement Examples

a business student walking in Milan

Accounting

student teaching on a summer internship program

Education

Three students in front of the European Council in Brussels Belgium

International Relations

Program Cost

Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your current college or university to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your school's policies, and other factors.

Fall 2024

Tuition
$
15,045
Housing
$
4,040
Insurance
$
245
Total
$
19,330

Academic Year 2024

Tuition
$
27,065
Housing
$
8,080
Insurance
$
490
Total
$
35,635

Spring 2025

Tuition
$
15,045
Housing
$
4,040
Insurance
$
245
Total
$
19,330

Fall 2025

Tuition
-
Housing
-
Insurance
-
Total
Pending

Use Our Budget Worksheet to Calculate Your Costs

See the Worksheet
APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

$7 Million in Scholarships & Aid

We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from studying abroad. This is why we commit millions of dollars to our study abroad scholarships and aid.

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Two students snorkel in the ocean.

About the IES Abroad Center

The Center is where our highly trained local staff provide on-the-ground support throughout your time abroad. 

The IES Abroad Siena Center is an actual palace located on the city’s most famous plaza called the Piazza del Campo. The palace, called Palazzo Chigi Zondadari, was built in the 18th century and served as a home to many notable people. Wherever you find yourself, the Center is your study abroad hub.  

 

Orientation

Start at Home
Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins at home with our virtual orientation to meet the IES Abroad Center staff, fellow students, and the city.
Arrive in Siena
Orientation continues when you arrive onsite with activities focusing on adjusting to Siena. Detailed information about other important topics is also covered.
Intensive Language Learning
During the first week of the program, you will begin your language learning experience and participate in activities to meet and bond with others.
Get to Know the City
Beyond orientation sessions, you will have opportunities to explore and discover Siena before classes start to help you feel at home in your new environment.
Prepare to Learn
Feel prepared to begin classes with practical lessons, activities designed to help you learn your way around the area, and support from our dedicated student staff.

Health & Safety

With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter which time zone you’re in. We plan for "what ifs" so that you don’t have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.

Support You Can Expect to Receive on Our Programs

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CISI International Health Insurance

In the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional.

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24/7 Emergency Support

Whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city.

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Mandatory Cell Phone Policy

Receive any emergency updates from IES Abroad staff via call or text.

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Location-Specific Information

Health and safety information presented at orientation by on-site staff.

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TripTracker System

Allowing you to share independent travel plans.

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Crisis Drills

So that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise.

Program Dates

Fall 2024

Program Dates:

September 02 - December 14

Application Deadline:

Spring 2025

Program Dates:

January 22 - May 10

Application Deadline:

Fall 2025

Program Dates:

Early September - Mid December

Application Deadline:

Requirements

  • Eligibility Requirements
  • Application Requirements
  • Passport & Visa Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

  • 18 years of age
  • In good standing at your home school
  • 2.75 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale (GPAs under 2.75 will be considered on a case-by-case basis)

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact a Previous Student

Student Ambassadors

No one knows the IES Abroad experience better than a student who has lived it! From budget tips to housing experiences, our volunteer Ambassadors are here to share it all.

Contact an Ambassador
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The Student Experience

How will study abroad redefine your world? We can’t wait to find out.

Apply Now
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