Office of Study Abroad

The situation remains too unpredictable to be certain whether study abroad programs will be able to run in summer 2021. However, the Office of Study Abroad remains optimistic about its ability to safely run Brandeis in Siena in July 2021 and encourages students interested in Brandeis in Siena to begin the process of planning for and applying to the program. Study abroad staff will work with interested students to discuss concerns they may have, update them on the evolving situation in Siena and in Europe, and formulate alternative plans for summer 2021 should study abroad once again be unviable. Students and families interested in learning more about Brandeis in Siena can click here to schedule time to meet with a member of the study abroad staff.

In light of the rapidly evolving situation and spread of the pandemic in spring 2020, Brandeis made the decision to suspend Brandeis in Siena for the summer. This decision was made after careful evaluation of the available public health data, travel restrictions on travelers from the US and citizens of a variety of nationalities, and the volatile and unpredictable way in which the pandemic was changing on a daily basis. Brandeis' first priority will always be the health and safety of students, staff, and faculty participants on Brandeis-Led Study Abroad Programs.

Gratefully, the Province of Siena was spared the grave impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic which heavily hit other areas of Italy. Nationwide, after the initial outbreak at the start of the pandemic, Italy has been increasingly successful in controlling the spread of COVID-19. With the success in "flattening the curve" the national authorities in late April and early May 2020 began the process of gradual re-opening based on the current number of cases in each region. 

Siena's region of Tuscany has been and remains one of the areas with the fewest restrictions based on the low case numbers. While abiding by social distancing protocol such as 1 meter distance between people, museums, parks, libraries, churches, stores, salons, and restaurants have been able to re-open to the public although there are some current restrictions on opening times.  For example, currently after 6:00 PM restaurants offer take-out only.  There is also a nightly curfew in place from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM.  The use of masks is required except for sports activities such as jogging.  

On June 3, 2020 the internal EU borders reopened after Italy's national lockdown, and additional international border openings are being re-evaluated every two weeks.  Currently study is a valid reason for travel to Italy but travellers from outside the EU must quarantine for 2 weeks upon arrival (private transport from the airport is permitted to reach travellers' quarantine destination).  For detailed information about entry into Italy from your country of origin, visit this website from Italy's Ministry of Health.

The Siena Art Institute is currently leading in-person programs for the 2020-2021 academic year, with a small group of international students from Greece, Spain, and the United States, as well as small groups meeting for ongoing initiatives with members of the local community. 

Brandeis University and the Siena Art Institute continue to closely monitor the situation following the guidance of our local and national authorities. 

The Siena Art Institute requires incoming students to abide by all travel and testing guidelines which apply to their country of origin and helps students monitor the evolving border restrictions of the Italian government. Students must pledge to be vigilant in following the virus-prevention measures outlined by the WHO as well as specific policies for social distancing imposed by the Region of Tuscany, the city of Siena, and our school. Restrictions include, but are not limited to, wearing masks indoors when not eating or drinking, maintaining a social distance of at least 1 meter from other people at all times, and carefully washing hands frequently.

These rules are important to protect from the possibility of virus contagion not only the individual student, but also their classmates, faculty, and the larger community. Students are also instructed to not travel outside of Italy during SART's programs and to continue to carefully follow COVID-19 precautions during any travel within Italy (such as independent weekend activities), both for their own safety as well as the safety of our community.

While these are the current guidelines, circumstances are liable to change by summer 2021. To discuss your options, please contact a member of the study abroad staff.

Brandeis will make a decision about Brandeis in Siena during the spring semester and no later than the deadline to register for Brandeis Summer Session classes.

If Brandeis in Siena 2021 is suspended, students who have been accepted to the program and submitted their Program Deposit will be eligible to defer it to summer 2022, summer 2023, or receive a full refund.