Office of Study Abroad

Brandeis will always make decisions about study abroad with the health and safety of our students, staff, faculty, and overseas partners as our top priority. As of May 6, 2021, we are expecting Brandeis in Siena to run this summer. Circumstances can still change, but as of today we are confident that we can run an academically-rich and artistically-intensive program that abides by all public health guidelines put in place by Brandeis University and the Italian government. Students and family members with questions about these plans are invited to read on and contact the Office of Study Abroad to discuss them further.

The following factors are among the points considered as we continually re-evaluate our ability to run Brandeis in Siena:

• Increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates in the United States and the ability for all participants to be fully vaccinated prior to the program start on July 8

• Declining COVID-19 infection rate and increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates in Italy

• Italy’s ongoing progress towards opening the borders for summer tourism by the end of June 2021

• Italy’s ongoing policy permitting travel to the country for the purpose of study, which allowed the Siena Art Institute to successfully run programs with international students during the 2020-2021 academic year

It is always possible for things to change in unexpected ways, but barring any extraordinary events, we expect that Brandeis in Siena will run. If the situation changes dramatically, we will communicate any changes to you immediately, and if unforeseen circumstances cause the program to be canceled, all money you have paid to Brandeis up until that point will be refunded.

All classes on Brandeis in Siena will meet in person and, as was often the case prior to COVID, will make use of the outdoors to create a painting environment that is safe and allows students to capture the natural beauty of Tuscany and Siena. Classes will have the ability to convert to a virtual format only in the unlikely event that a student has to isolate during the program. Classroom space will comply with social distancing requirements in place in Italy, which currently call for 1 meter distance between each student in a classroom.

Both FA 28A and FA 45A will be taught by faculty at the Siena Art Institute. SART faculty have taught both courses on Brandeis in Siena before and the Institute retains faculty who are exceptionally knowledgeable in their fields. Although Professor Unglaub looks forward to joining the program for a portion of the time in Siena, he will not be able to stay for the entire six week period for family reasons. We have made the decision to ask Professors Marini and Fineschi to teach the two classes to ensure the highest quality of seamless instruction for the students on the program.

Brandeis faculty have always been and will continue to be closely involved in the running of Brandeis in Siena. Professor Unglaub and Professor Joe Wardwell, both of the Brandeis Fine Arts Department, will participate in-person onsite in portions of the program. Both Professor Wardwell and Professor Unglaub have extensive experience in Siena and have led the program before and we are excited for you to have the chance to experience Siena alongside both of them. As a Brandeis-Led Study Abroad Program, Brandeis in Siena is closely overseen by the Brandeis faculty. The courses are part of the University Bulletin and SART faculty are offered courtesy appointments as Brandeis faculty for the summer so that their courses can be offered for Brandeis credit. 

Yes. COVID-19 vaccines significantly reduce the spread of the virus, and have been shown to be effective at preventing serious illness and hospitalization. To keep yourself, others in our group, and our Italian hosts safe, Brandeis is requiring that all participants on Brandeis in Siena be fully vaccinated before participating in the program. In order to be fully vaccinated by the departure date of July 7, you need to receive your final dose of a vaccine by June 23, which means that students receiving a vaccine with two doses required should schedule their first dose no later than May 15. Brandeis is continuing to host on-campus vaccination clinics during the month of May; if you are having trouble identifying a place to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, please contact your Study Abroad Advisor.

No. Brandeis will be booking flights for students and your study abroad advisor will be in touch soon with further details.

A group flight is the most logistically logical and morally responsible option for our group as we head to Italy. This will ensure that we are all together and can account for one another as we travel abroad. It also guarantees that we all will only be exposed to the other passengers on the COVID-free flight, all of whom have been tested and approved to bypass quarantine by the Italian government. This drastically reduces the chance that one of us will be exposed to COVID-19 en route and decreases the possibility that one of us will risk carrying the virus to Italy and exposing our hosts. Finally, by Italian regulation, the COVID-free flight is the only chance we have to bypass quarantine and begin the program without isolating for two weeks beforehand.

The program cost will be increased to account for the cost of a flight ticket and students will no longer be independently responsible for booking their own flight. Your Study Abroad Advisor will be sharing more details shortly.

No. Independent travel outside Italy during, before, and after the program will not be permitted due to the likely complications that will arise from needing to exit and re-enter the country. We will still have program excursions within the country and hope this will provide an opportunity for you to get strongly acquainted with and develop a profound appreciation for the beauty of the Tuscan countryside.

As was previously the plan for Brandeis in Siena, students will be housed with not more than one other roommate. Brandeis students will only be housed with other Brandeis students.

If you test positive or are identified as a ‘close contact’ based on Italy’s local public health guidance, you will be fully supported through testing and isolation, including academic support and continuation of coursework from a distance. Although we do not plan to need it, quarantine housing has been set aside for our use if necessary during the program and you will not be financially responsible for additional housing costs if you need to isolate at any point during the program. If you become ill, the program will assist with seeking medical treatment; testing and medical care will be covered in full by the health insurance included in the program cost. 

We understand that traveling is a deeply personal choice for you and your family. Until May 13, you can receive a refund of your program deposit at no penalty. After May 13, the program deposit will become non-refundable and Brandeis will begin to make non-recoverable expenses on your behalf, such as booking housing, arranging your flight, and making arrangements for program excursions. We expect to need to make approximately $3,300 in non-recoverable payments on your behalf between May 13 and the start date of the program; if you withdraw after May 13, that cost will be charged to you.

We'd love to talk to you about your interest in Brandeis in Siena! Please contact the Office of Study Abroad for more information.