Department of Fine Arts

Prior to the start of the program, the Office of Study Abroad will run a pre-departure meeting to help prepare you for your time abroad. If you are unable to attend, an online orientation will be held. You will also receive a number of different pre-departure materials addressing the following topics:

• Academic overview
• Cost of attendance
• Money matters in Italy
• Credit transfer
• Packing preparations
• Passport and visa
• Arrival information
• Health, safety, and risk management

You will also be required to submit a number of forms prior to departure.
In Siena, an orientation program will help you adjust to your new environment and familiarize yourself with the various student support services that are available.

You will live in the city of Siena in student apartments, which are within walking distance of the Siena Art Institute. You may share a bedroom with other students on the program and will share a bathroom and kitchen with other students. Air conditioning is rare in Siena and your apartment is unlikely to have air conditioning, so we will recommend acquiring a fan on arrival. All student apartments will be equipped with WiFi.

There are kitchens in the apartments, as well as a number of food venues within Siena. Some meals will be provided by the program within program activities, but most meals will be your responsibility during the program. Students typically do a combination of eating out and cooking together, a bonding opportunity over the course of the program.

Local student services and cultural events will be coordinated between the Office of Study Abroad and the Siena Art Institute. You will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of enriching field trips and cultural events within the area, which may include excursions to San Gimignano, Assisi, and other important Tuscan sites.

Studying abroad can be an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and explore new horizons. The Brandeis Office of Study Abroad supports students in reflecting on their own personal identities in preparing for a study abroad experience that will be meaningful and in which they will be supported both in and out of the classroom. Study abroad program staff and past participants have prepared a list of resources related to personal, religious, cultural, and other backgrounds and identities which may be helpful to students considering Brandeis in Siena. On this Brandeis-run program, program staff and faculty strive to ensure that students have access to the resources they need before, during, and after your time on the program to give you the opportunity to learn and grow in a comfortable and supportive environment.

For more resources related to culture and identity, please click here and reach out to your advisor or a Study Abroad Ambassador if you would like to discuss anything further.

It is understandable that you will want to explore other parts of Italy and Europe. You are required to attend classes throughout the week, and are expected to schedule your independent travel for the weekends and holidays. In addition, Brandeis requires that you leave a basic copy of your itinerary with a staff member so that you can be quickly contacted in case of an emergency.

Students who have laptops are encouraged to bring them, especially for purposes of writing papers. Academic culture in Italy is different than it is in the U.S., and access to and use of computer facilities and libraries will also be different. The Siena Art Institute has its own computer facilities with email and internet access, but you must adapt to sharing both equipment and time. The Siena Art Institute also maintains its own library with essential reference works and limited volumes of primary source materials.