Office of Study Abroad

Profile: Cate Huynh '28

Major/minor: Psychology and Philosophy majors, Studio Art minor

Study abroad program: Brandeis in Siena: Making, Seeing, and Mastering Art in Tuscany, Summer 2025

Favorite classes: Painting in Siena was my favorite. It was also my first time trying oil as a medium. We went through the basic layers of oil painting, extracted “live” inspiration from the very medieval city we lived and studied in. The small moments—giving each other feedback, sharing our progress, and watching everyone's style evolve—made it so special. I, of course, also loved Early Renaissance Art in Tuscany. It was very helpful and informative—especially for people without any strong art history background like me. The class effectively combined in-class lectures and site visits (mostly to museums and galleries), and the presentations really made it less stressful on pure info-memorization, instead so much more interactive and memorable.

How did you incorporate your Brandeis major/areas of study into your abroad experience? I’m a Studio Art minor, so Brandeis in Siena courses directly contribute to both my academic goals and artistic growth, as credits and as valuable experience I need for a better understanding of art generally. I really love that it’s accessible regardless of your major or background, since it’s not just about taking classes, but also about learning to live the experience. Every project study, every walk through the city, and every cultural exchange added layers to my understanding of both art and life, there and back.

Housing situation: I lived in an apartment with a roommate and six other students. We had a thin hallway, two bathrooms, and a small kitchen with some basic utensils and a fridge. I was quite fortunate to be assigned to the room with a door to the backyard garden, so I could casually hang out or do homework there sometimes (though we didn’t use it as often as we wanted, thanks to the relentless mosquitoes!). During the stay, we went grocery shopping pretty often as we had to prepare meals. Supermarkets were scattered around the city, so it was easy to find options nearby. Sharing quick meals at home became one of those small but memorable parts of daily life in Siena.

What was your greatest challenge? Although informed, I underestimated how intense the walking could sometimes be, especially with the heat added. Siena is a hilly city, and after two classes in a day, the walk back could be pretty brutal (though also rewarding as the city was pretty vibrant in the afternoon). The field trips were some of the highlights, but they also involved long periods of walking and/or standing in museums and galleries. That being said, I'd say pack comfortable shoes, dress light, stay hydrated, and embrace it—it’s all part of the experience, and you’ll be so fine! 

What were some parts of your identity that you thought about while considering study abroad? It was my first time traveling to Italy, so I did think about how that would go. It was exciting but also a bit scary—not knowing what daily life would look like, what I’d have to adapt to, or how much language would become a challenge. Luckily, the Brandeis in Siena staff and professors were very supportive, and everyone adjusted together really quickly. It’s also very convenient to participate in Christian religious practices since Italy (and Siena, one of its cities) is traditionally Catholic—there are too many churches around! It was pretty safe to walk around the city, even at night, but of course, I’d recommend going out with friends and to well-lit places.

Favorite memory: Definitely the walks around the city, sometimes on my way to class, sometimes just wandering after dinner, though they can be quite tiring after a full day of classes. I loved the late-night walks and hanging out at the Piazza del Campo, with the city glowing under warm lights. The heat can be intense at noon, but a gelato or granita cup always helped and tasted beautiful.

What do you know now that you didn't know before? The Palio! Even though I did some preliminary research before coming to Siena, being able to live through the whole thing almost felt surreal. We were there right after the first race in July and caught the celebration of the July winner. We learned about the long history of the race and the rivalries between the contrade (neighborhoods), went to the contrade’s parties, saw the whole city preparing for the August race, and at last witnessed the August race together. The horse races were more than just mere competition (though the competition is indeed fierce), but also a ritual, a symbol of pride, and a unique expression of the Sienese identity.