About UsOur History | Frequently Asked Questions | Student Testimonials | Participating Colleges & Universities Student Testimonials from Recent Semesters (Paris | Madrid | Siena)
"My Spring Semester 2008 in Paris was not the experience most kids have abroad because of AYA. The program is designed to be as personal as possible. As the months go by you bond with other AYA students and soon realize that a small family has been formed of Anglophone students determined to be immersed in Paris. "AYA is the best liaison for whatever goals or needs a student may have while abroad. Their Director in the Paris office [Paule Schneersohn] is very concerned and understanding of students. She also has a sense of humor and is more than willing to listen to you explain yourself in simple French while helping you improve your language skills. Thanks to her years of experience, she has an excellent sense of what most kids want out of their time abroad. She has very close relationships with the host families and teachers and is always available to check-in on the students –something that becomes valuable as the semester progresses. All of my friends had loving and welcoming host families, interesting academic courses and constantly went to cultural events hosted by AYA or encouraged by AYA. "The Paris office is located in a beautiful courtyard, secluded from the hustle and bustle of Montparnasse’s hectic boulevards. The Director will take you in, answer any questions you have and help you take care of any bureaucratic dilemmas you may fall into. "Through an arrangement made with AYA, I interned for four paid months translating articles form French into English at a small design company located in the heart of the Marais. Had AYA not helped me that opportunity would not have been available, nor could I have attempted to handle the necessary procedures on my own. "I will always cherish my months spent in Paris. I feel like I experienced tremendous personal growth abroad. This would not have been the case had I been only a number in a large program." Abigail Napp, Bard College "I regret that I studied with Academic Year Abroad for a semester… instead of an entire year. My semester in Paris with Academic Year Abroad was an experience that I can best describe as unexpected. It was unexpectedly my favorite semester thus far, and I am already researching ways to return after graduation. "When I first decided to go to France for the semester, I didn’t quite know where to go. I thought Paris was overrated, something everyone did. I debated going to Nantes or Paris, Montpellier or Grenoble. To begin, I went on the Yale study abroad website and researched study abroad programs that other Yale students had already participated in. Then I contacted former students and asked for their advice. I chose Paris based not only on the recommendations of other Yale students who studied abroad in France, but also professors and the French study abroad advisor for Yale. I was confronted with these questions and realities: “What better place to study and learn French culture than Paris?” “What better city to live in?” “Don’t you want to experience Paris, the loveliest city in the world?” I was convinced. "I choose Academic Year Abroad, in Paris, for one reason—the direct enrollment programs at local universities. It’s one of the qualities of Academic Year Abroad that I think distinguishes it from the multitude of other study abroad programs in Paris. This was really important to me. I wanted the opportunity to take all of my classes at French universities, with French students, with French professors. I did not want to have classes with American students taught by American French-speaking professors. I could get that at Yale. I wanted full immersion and more of a challenge. And I got it. This past semester, I studied at both the Institut Catholique de Paris and the Université de Paris-Sorbonne. At the Institut Catholique I took two political science classes and in both classes the professors lectured, but also left time for questions and dialogue. At the Sorbonne I took history and translation. Taking courses from both universities was demanding; I was dually challenged to comprehend students—who spoke softly and quickly—as well as professors. And since my classes were on average three hours long, I was challenged to stay focused and alert. All the ways French universities differ from their American counterparts quickly became apparent: the way students are graded and the demands on students throughout the semester. While I choose AYA for the chance to enroll at Parisian universities and the opportunity was rewarding, I’ll remember AYA for the people—the staff and the other students. "During my first few moments in Paris, I met Sarah Yvé. "Bienvenue," she said, in her lovely French accent. I remember that she was extremely patient, clear and friendly as she introduced herself and explained the schedule for the first day. It was a huge relief to me that Sarah was there to meet me at the airport and arrange for my travel into Paris. At a moment when I felt fatigued, overwhelmed and excited, I appreciate the steps AYA took to make the transition more comfortable and easy. Furthermore, I recall that when I first began to choose classes, Sarah had useful commentary and advice. I think Sarah is an invaluable part of Academic Year Abroad because she was once me. She once studied abroad in Paris which allowed her to relate to our frustrations, fears, and confusion. The other invaluable piece of AYA is of course, La Directrice. "Madame Paule Schneersohn was always there to answer all my questions. She was always there to simply chat. She consistently and thoughtfully inquired about my experience and sent frequent e-mails to all the students about not-to-miss cultural activities. She even arranged for me to continue my Hindi studies at other language institution while in Paris. Additionally, I must thank Madame Schneersohn for recommending my translation class. The professor was young, a perfectionist and a meticulous grader. But, he reminded me of what I love most about languages; the phrases that are untranslatable. It was my favorite class. Finally, I must mention Thanksgiving as further evidence of AYA’s and Madame Schneersohn’s commitment to providing the best possible experience for us in Paris. I have spent every Thanksgiving of my life with my family, but this year I did not feel like anything or anyone was missing, because I had the chance to celebrate with AYA. I know that other study abroad programs took their students out to fancy dinners for Thanksgiving. But my Thanksgiving dinner was hand prepared by Madame Schneersohn and my Thanksgiving dinner was delicious. "The other students who participated in AYA were another memorable part. I first met the other students participating in Academic Year Abroad during orientation week. A welcome dinner on the first day was the first time we were all together. It was nice. In retrospect, I can now appreciate that my first few nights were spent at a hotel with the other students in my program, instead of in my homestay. It gave us a chance to get to know each other, early on. I can honestly say that my two roommates from the first few nights in Paris became my best friends in Paris. As a foreign student—for the first time in my life!—it was these newly-made American friends who were my base. "I believe orientation ran smoothly. The guided tours with Madame Françoise were interesting. She knew a lot about French history, culture and art. In fact, during a tour around Paris with Madame Françoise, I discovered an interesting shopping street that I later rediscovered for my holiday shopping. Another person I met during orientation was Madame Marie Louise Le Guern, a very sweet and welcoming French woman. The grammar tests with her were beneficial because they reminded me of my strengths and weaknesses in French and reminded me of long-forgotten French grammar rules. It was a good refresher before classes began. "I would advise any student studying abroad to stay with a host family. I loved my host family. I lived with a mom and her son. The son happened to be just one week older than me. He made it so much easier to interact with other French students my age. Through him I made many French friends. Additionally, the mom was très gentille. I was fortunate that she was an exceptional cook as well, and she often had dinner guests. Through these dinner parties and holiday parties, I experienced la vrai culture française. Surprisingly, it was not long before it started to feel like home.... "The affordable cost of AYA, the direct registration programs, and the staff all make AYA a program that stands ahead of its peers. Academic Year Abroad is a program that I would gladly endorse, and plan to. Because for me, AYA was a perfect fit." "My semester in Paris was one of the best, most rewarding times of my life, in large part facilitated by the excellent support and independence built into the AYA program. I found AYA’s small size to be one of its greatest advantages; unlike in other programs, we were able to get to know everyone in our program and we received a lot of personal attention from Madame Schneersohn, our directrice, and her assistant. Madame Schneersohn was always available to discuss any problem, and her extensive knowledge and experience was a great resource for us as we adjusted to the Parisian environment.
"I also enjoyed the freedom given to us in choosing our courses; I was able to take a perfect balance of Parisian university courses at the Sorbonne and Institut Catholique, supplemented with program-run classes at Reid Hall. Course choices are more or less up to the individual, making it simple to tailor the intensity level to whatever is desired. As a result of this independence, I was able to take a wide range of courses covering lots of interesting subjects, including impressionist art, French film, the history of the Middle East, and contemporary problems of Africa. "Because of its small size, AYA is not plagued with the bureaucratic tendencies or the political issues of larger programs. I really enjoyed the family-like atmosphere of our soirees and group outings, there was never any group tension or drama, and overall, our program activities were less like supervised school field trips and more like going out with friends. "If I had to do it all over again, I would choose AYA with no hesitation, and I would highly recommend the program to everyone looking to study abroad in Paris. Great homestays, flexible course choices, plenty of independence, and personal attention and warmth from the AYA staff. What more could you ask for? "To conclude, I will not regret anything about my study abroad experience in Paris, least of all my choice of AYA as a program, which provided a perfect balance between guidance and freedom and allowed us to explore the city and French culture at will." "I attend the University of California at San Diego, and before AYA Paris I attended a [program other than AYA’s], which left much to be desired. The academic offerings were weak and the living situation was questionable, so I decided to forego a second semester and started looking at other options. After careful research, I picked AYA, because I wanted to get the most out of my experience in Paris. To me, that meant that I wanted to take classes in French with other French students, live with a French family, and have the freedom to explore the city. AYA didn’t disappoint. It offered all of the above as well as an experienced support system with my program office. I knew that the program director, Mme Schneersohn, and her assistant Sarah were there for me if I ever had a question, needed help, or just someone to talk to. They placed me with a great family, and Mme Schneersohn made sure to check in to see that everything worked out. AYA offered me the chance to shape my experience in Paris beyond the confines of the [other program’s] office, and helped me make the most of my spring semester abroad." "My time spent in France will be included in my most dear memories. I had the opportunity to see first hand a national culture, but I was also exposed to different worldwide cultures. AYA's program, having included students from other parts of the world and bringing them to Paris allowed me to have a multicultural learning experience within Paris. Even though I am back within the states, I still have contact and connections with friends I have made from various countries. "Other multicultural experiences I enjoyedwere the performances we attended. It was interesting watching a Russian play and a Spanish flemenco dance performance in Paris. "The best times I enjoyed were not the ones I was expecting nor the ones I was anxious
or nervous about. The best times were the ones I had no clue I would get the
opportunity to learn about. There were many cross-cultural ideologies and feelings that
I did not expect to encounter. Nevertheless, the surprise and excitement of figuring them
out made the effort to encounter them worthwhile. I strongly suggest this program to
anyone who is interested and ready to experience another culture." "After having spent a year in Paris on the AYA program, I am thoroughly convinced that it is one of the best of its kind in the city, thanks in large part to its exceptional directrice. Mme Schneersohn allowed her students as much liberty as we desired, yet she was always available to assist us with any concern, be it academic, bureaucratic, or personal. She is an extremely open and caring woman with years of valuable experience and sound advice. She helped me on a number of occasions and greatly surpassed my expectations. I cannot say enough good things about her and consequently the program. "My home stay was also an extremely positive and enriching experience. I had the good fortune to live with a truly remarkable Parisian woman who introduced me to a number of interesting people and who took an active interest in me. Thanks to her, I learned much about the Parisian art de vivre and life in the capital. "In short, AYA is an outstanding program that allowed me to spend the richest, most memorable year of my life as a student in a city that I will likely always regard as my home abroad." "My year in Paris with AYA under the caring guidance of Mme Schneersohn has been [a] rewarding and unforgettable experience. "I was very happy with the degree of flexibility we were given in choosing courses. The course load and difficulty could be tailored [to] suit our needs and expectations. The directrice, Mme Schneersohn, has a wealth of knowledge regarding which lecturers were particularly good, and which TD [travaux dirigés] professors should be avoided. On top of courses at the Paris IV and Institut Catholique, AYA also offered grammar classes and writing workshops which I found very useful. "Aside from the academic side, Mme Schneersohn was always ready and eager
to help in all aspects of our stay in Paris, be it finding cooking
classes or helping us try and find some extra work experience. AYA gave
us the advantage of independence while providing us with all the care,
support and guidance when needed." "I greatly appreciated the flexibility that we were given with regard to the discipline, level, and number of courses that we were allowed to take. I also valued the fact that we were enrolled in regular French classes and got an authentic taste of what it is like to study here [in Paris] rather than being burdened with "cours complémentaires" filled with Americans.... "Judicious" is probably also a very apt expression to describe the choice of cultural activities.... I was very impressed with the fact that Mme. Schneersohn chose the events after studying our profiles.... The general functioning of the program proved to be smooth and well-directed. In Mme. Schneersohn you have an absolute jewel of a directrice. I will never forget the warmth and kindness with which she received me upon my arrival in Paris, the reassurance with which she diffused my nervousness. She is truly a woman who loves students and has a singular understanding of the inter-personal relationships among them." "Unlike so many other study abroad programs, in which students are restricted to classes with other Americans and have little opportunity for interactions outside the program, AYA gives you the support and independence to pursue any of the thousands of courses, activities, and seminars offered for French students in a wide range of universities throughout Paris. During my time in the program, I took classes not only in French literature and history, but also in Russian, Serbo-Croatian, and Romanian at the faculty of languages at the Sorbonne. I knew others who took voice, translation, or even English literature. It is really a question of making up a curriculum that suits your needs and interests, rather than being handed a generic, "student-tourist" one. The charming AYA directrice, Madame Schneersohn, helped me sort through the legendary French bureaucracy involved with taking courses in different institutions, registering for exams, and getting official grades. She also organized, as she does each year, a series of high-level courses designed only for AYA students-courses that are entirely optional. When I was in Paris, I took courses in the history of French film, taught by a well-known French director, a high-level grammar course, and a workshop in phonetics and pronunciation. This year I am completing a Master's Degree at the Sorbonne in Anthropology, something I probably would not have even contemplated without the skills and experiences I gained during my year with AYA!" "When I was considering Paris study abroad programs last fall, I made a list of important considerations for my time abroad. These included, above all, affordability, access to a variety of coursework at French universities, and a stated emphasis on student independence. AYA not only fulfilled all of these considerations, but, as I would find out, also provided many more priceless resources. The AYA Directrice, Madame Paule Schneersohn, would certainly fall under the term "priceless." From the first day of my trip, when she helped me in my search for a studio, to the last week of classes, when she spent much time correcting and critiquing my final history essay, Mme. Schneersohn provided warmth, wisdom, and always a reassuring word on life. I feel lucky to have spent so many hours in her office, chatting in French, discussing her insider views on politics, culture, education. She is an extremely kind and intelligent person, and easily the greatest asset of the AYA program. . . . I met many Americans in Paris on other study abroad programs who could not believe [how little] I was paying for essentially the same education [as they were receiving]. AYA is clearly the best value of any American program in Paris. Finally, AYA facilitates the gift of an independent semester or year in Paris. By providing the basics in course registration, a supportive Directrice, the occasional cultural excursion, the program allows the student to discover everything else as an independent adult would. The sites, the streets rich with history, the feel of an ever-vibrant world city: these are the elements that one is free to explore as part of AYA in Paris." "The [Paris] program, it seems, has found quite a fortunate balance of providing the students with care, direction, and assistance that they need, and at the same time offering them freedom to follow their own initiative.... I felt secure and comfortable, mostly due to the help and guidance of Mme. Paule Schneersohn. She is truly excellent.... However, Mme. Schneersohn went beyond simply being an excellent program advisor. She also took initiative to establish a more personal connection with every one of her students. Each of us interested her as an individual.... [Yet] I never felt too sheltered, or separated from the rest of Paris. I think this type of protected freedom is one of the most important advantages of coming to Paris with AYA." "The [Paris] program is very well assembled, and at the same time offers a liberty of movement that I did not find in any other program with which I came into contact or heard about. Most importantly, my language skills saw a 100% improvement through the help of [AYA Directrice] Schneersohn and my host mother.... The cultural activities: I would recommend to anyone choosing the AYA Paris program to spend the little extra and enroll in this part. The diversity of the shows, as well as their overall quality, adds a new dimension to this city which is already known for its abundance of examples in fine art.... My host family: I lived with an excellent woman who not only gave me lots of good advice and presented me to interesting people with whom I was able to create rapports, but she has also become a good friend. She helped me greatly improve my French, and she was both caring and understanding, without being for that an overbearing mother figure.... [Madame Schneersohn's] enthusiasm, her continuing interest in our academic and social lives, her accessibility: all this made us, her students, consider her a person of trust and an important "point d'appui" that put the finishing touches on an already overwhelmingly striking experience.... [The AYA Paris experience] has changed my life, as it will, I'm sure, many others." "I feel privileged to be writing a recommendation for AYA because I truly believe it is one of the most rewarding programs available to juniors studying abroad. It is small, inexpensive, and very personal, thanks to the wonderful direction of Madame Schneerson. During our four months in Paris, we were given complete freedom to experience the city as we saw fit, but always with the comforting knowledge that should any problems arise, Madame Schneerson would be there to help. She gave us advice on which Sorbonne classes and teachers were most worthwhile, she helped us edit our papers, and she even helped me find work so I could stay in Paris over the summer. "Thanks to AYA, my semester in Paris was a truly rewarding experience. The program showed great flexibility in terms of course options and selection, and students were able to take real university classes with French students. Though we were certainly given our independence, we could always rely on Mme. Schneersohn's help and guidance. Accessible, knowledgeable, and highly competent, Mme. Schneersohn proved an invaluable resource and a wonderful friend from the moment she greeted us at the airport. She was able to recommend the best professors and spent many hours with me discussing and editing my papers. When I needed to change the date of an exam, she convinced the course administrator to give me a different date. She even helped me find material for a personal research project. AYA provides a level of flexibility, affordability, and personal attention that American college students can really appreciate. I highly recommend it." "L'avantage le plus prisé (et peut-être celui dont on ne s'aperçoit
pas), je crois, est le sentiment d'indépendance que l'on ressent. Bien
entendu, la charmante directrice, Mme Schneersohn, vous accueuillera et
vous donneras des conseiils pertinents, mais juste dans la mesure du
nécessaire. Vous ne vous sentirez jamais à l'écart du programme et
pourtant personne ne vous prendra comme un enfant gêté non plus.
L'expérience de "study abroad" qui vous est offerte sera tantêt
intimidante tantêt valorisante. Cela dit, vous n'avez rien à craindre,
le soutien scolaire, personnel, quel qu'il soit est toujours là si vous
en avez besoin. "I found the [AYA Paris] program to be very enriching. I enjoyed my semester and had an excellent family whom I greatly benefited from. I would do it all over again, but I would stay the whole year!" 
"I thoroughly enjoyed my experience and I now understand why my predecessors told me that going abroad is life-changing. I loved the cultural activities and other short day trips we took. I found the destinations (El Escorial, Sevilla, Cordoba, Toledo, etc) historic and unique. However, my favorite part of the trips was getting to spend time with [my Complutense student tutors]. They were very patient and practicing Spanish with them was very helpful. Thank you, AYA, for... such incredible opportunities." "A Day as a Student in Madrid" "Living and studying in Spain has been one of the best experiences in my life. Not only did I learn about the culture, customs, and history of Spain, but my language and speaking skills improved greatly.... The organization of the AYA program was excellent: I always felt well informed and well taken care of while I was living in Madrid. The activities program was one of the best aspects of AYA. [AYA] organized excellent excursions, classes, and cultural outings. I do not regret for a moment choosing AYA, as I had many programs to choose from; I feel like I chose the best." "Madrid is definitely a place with millions of things to do. From eating tapas, to checking e-mails with a beer in your hands, there's no doubt that you'll have plenty of fun. I really recommend traveling at least twice a month; the outskirts of Madrid are beautiful, and really close. Prepare to spend some money if you really want to have fun, and take advantage of all the AYA cultural activities; they are by far the best of all the programs. Have fun." "Tienes que probar todo mientras estés en España; es el único tiempo en tu vida que puedes probar todo sin preocupaciones. La cultura, la gente, la ciudad tienen mucho para ofrecerte, si tu tomas el riesgo para explorarlos. AYA provee un ambiente para integrarse en la cultura y para vivir como un madrileño. Es una experiencia diferente para cada persona pero la mejor situación para crecer y para darte cuenta de lo que tiene más importancia en tu vida." "I'd like to say that I'm glad that I chose AYA. [T]he classes that are offered are very interesting. I am currently taking a sintaxis class that makes me question the way I perceive the world through language. [I] have been lucky enough to live [in AYA housing] with a woman who is open-minded, friendly, and loves to converse, qualities, all of which, have helped me to accustom myself to the lifestyle here in Madrid. . . . I personally have really appreciated this help, and I thought that you should know. Thanks again." "My time in Spain can only be described as once-in-a-lifetime. In particular, the small and therefore intimate size of the group, coupled with the many ways that AYA encourages you to integrate and take full advantage of your time abroad greatly augmented my experience. I strongly believe that the "activities" portion of the program proved invaluable. . . . . I enjoyed many plays, dances, concerts, films, dance lessons and cooking classes immensely and enthusiastically recommend them to my peers. Rest assured that AYA will exceed your expectations in helping you to assimilate, experience, enjoy and love Madrid." "AYA is the prima donna of study abroad programs. It takes students from all over the US with nothing more in common than the desire to study in another country. When you get to see other study abroad programs while abroad you'll appreciate the diversity of not having a specific school or geographic region represented and of no one knowing anyone else at first. What you'll find instead is adventurous individuals always finding new and exciting things to do at a moment's notice[:] that's what going abroad is all about, isn't it?" "I can honestly say that AYA is among the best programs. It seems to draw a group of students who are more mature--that is to say they look for something more than a good party in their semester abroad. We have bonded quickly as a group. . . . We are an independent and supportive group.. . . The activities have been well organized and well planned to give us a wide range of experiences. Even my host mother, who has been in the business of hosting students for 14 years, commented that in our program we get to see it all." "My study abroad experience in Madrid, Spain . . . was absolutely incredible. I had the opportunity to learn, firsthand, about a new culture and language. And the AYA program played an integral part in shaping such a rewarding experience. I felt welcome the moment I stepped off the plane. . . . That night, we all gathered in a quaint restaurant with recent "alums" of the AYA-Madrid program to talk, laugh, become acquainted with new friends and eat Tapas well into the morning hours. For adventurers who remain loyal to the "Just Do It" mentality, studying abroad is an opportunity that cannot be passed up." "AYA gave me an introduction to the Spanish educational system and placed me with a generous and friendly host family. Studying at the Complutense gave me confidence that I could indeed take classes in Spanish and do well! The family I lived with gave me insight into Spanish culture and, more importantly, some friends to help me through the process of getting into a Spanish university as a normal student, rather than a visitor. All in all, AYA is an excellent study abroad option for a wide variety of people. The reasonable price, combined with the program's flexibility and quality made it a great choice for me." "I enjoyed my stay in Madrid so much more than I could ever have imagined. In fact, I would like to live and work there one day. I am actually thinking about studying there again next spring through AYA. I thought the program was well organized. . . . The cultural activities were very interesting and we got to see many parts of Spain. . . . My host family was terrific. They were caring, helpful, and very nice, and I miss them so much already. . . . As for the professors I have only good things to say about them." 
"Academic Year Abroad is the perfect program for a student who refuses to study abroad in the typical American way: going to a foreign city, taking a few classes in the culture or the history, but passing most of the time living, sleeping, and being American. AYA is not that type of program. It is a very thorough example of a total immersion program: I got here [to Siena] and was immediately thrown into the language, without even a few days to ease my way slowly in. It was difficult, there were days where I felt like I wouldn’t be able to get through the five months, that I made a mistake, and why didn’t I pick one of the easier study abroad programs? But soon enough the benefits started coming in, and now, looking back, I wouldn’t have done it any other way. "The program set-up is very effective. Only a few days after my arrival, I was enrolled in a language intensive course, where I spent nearly a month slowly and painfully building up my vocabulary and grammar. This course was, in the end, extremely helpful, if even just for the chance to meet and converse with other foreign students. I have many fond memories of sitting at lunch with a group that would have made the UN look unrepresentative; everyone from a different country, but the lingua franca was Italian. So the language course was useful for both the scholastic and social angles. "Actual classes at the Università: this is the real test, the professors speak at their normal pace, and you’ve not only got to listen but also take notes. After the language course my Italian was okay, but still rather weak, or at least in my [opinion]. Starting the actual courses at the Università, I found my brain scrambling to keep up initially, but after just a few classes, I was able to follow the professor a lot easier, reading the course materials wasn’t such a chore, etc. I began to be a lot more comfortable in the language.
"Part of the AYA program is also to take the same exams that every other Sienese student takes. Now, while this is an incredibly daunting task, especially for us Americans who, more than likely, have never done an interrogatory oral exam in their life, it can be a learning experience. It allows you to see how the scholastic system in another country works, a good complement to your new knowledge of the other cultural aspects. It isn’t always pretty art and pasta. The only thing I can recommend for future students is to talk to the professor as soon as possible about the exam, and not to get thrown if they say that they don’t even know about it yet. And not to be lax about studying, but not to fry your brain either. The main goal is to be satisfied with what you’ve done, and you can have that satisfaction with an 18 or with a 30 [18/30 or 30/30 in the Italian grading system], it’s all relative. "Another aspect of the program was obviously the city itself. I could write an entire love letter to Siena, but I’ll try and restrain myself. It is deceivingly small, but if a native New Yorker like me, born and raised in the city of 8 million, was never bored or at a loss for things to see, Siena must be doing something right. There are countless museums and churches, all with their own history and treasures. There are the contradas themselves, and exploring them offers a door into a world that doesn’t remotely exist in the States. And it is very easy to just hop on a bus and travel to another amazing city: Florence, Rome, Perugia, Assisi. San Gimignano, etc, etc. Restricting yourself to even traveling only around Tuscany, there are numerous possibilities. And in the rare situation that you can’t find anything to do, wandering around Siena itself is an amazing experience. Taking the tiny side streets, avoiding the crowds, surviving the hills, you can find yourself in areas you’ve never been before. "Living within an Italian household can be the spark needed to improve one’s ability in the language: when you don’t have any other means to communicate, you better learn, and fast. Now, obviously, the first few weeks feel incredibly strange, you wonder what on earth you’re doing in this house, where you stand with these new people, and you feel very vulnerable in the language. Those first few weeks can feel like forever, but they do pass, and if it all works out well, you can come to feel like a quasi member of the household. It’s an incredible learning experience about the culture: the customs, the food, how you eat the food, how you carry yourself, etc, etc. It was an amazing experience, I am very very grateful for it." |
"Studying at the Università is a great opportunity; the possibility to take classes that you never could in the States, or even just to relearn something from a different perspective. It can definitely be a trying experience to go to these classes, but you leave feeling rather accomplished: I know one day I came out of my Paleoethnology class and I realized just how much I had actually understood from the lecture, which filled me with a bit of glee. And, for the most part, the professors are willing to help foreign students, if they have the capacity to understand how much of a challenge it is to study in another language.