The SIS 89 day semester program allows students to spend 12 immersive weeks in Siena—no student visa required. The program begins with a 2 week Intensive Italian Language course (3 credits), during which students explore the city, visit service sites, and connect with their host families. Students then continue with a selection of English-taught courses, ongoing Italian language study, and an Intercultural Dialogue, Democracy, and Global Citizenship through Reflection course, for a total of 12 - 15 credits. The semester includes service learning, cultural activities, and a 3-day excursion to an Italian destination—all while living with local host families and experiencing Siena like a local.
Application open until: October 15, 2026
Application Requirements
Complete online application
Personal statement (300-500 words)
Transcript
Passport scan (photo & signature page)
Italian privacy consent form
Highlights
- No student visa required
- Engage with the local community through service learning
- Diverse and innovative learning opportunities
Program Dates
Mid January 2027 – Mid April 2027
Eligibility Requirements
Age: 18+
Academic Year: Freshman (1st year) or above
Cumulative GPA:* 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale)
* contact SAI if you don’t meet requirements
Service-learning is a core part of the study abroad experience in Siena. SIS students are encouraged to volunteer 1 – 5 hours weekly through our partner, Nuova Associazione Culturale Ulisse. Opportunities include helping at the soup kitchen, visiting seniors, teaching English, or assisting the ambulance service. Volunteering helps improve language skills and build meaningful connections with the local community. For more information on volunteering see SIS Service Learning & Volunteer.
Courses & Schedule
The program kicks off with a 2 week Intensive Italian Course (3 credits). Once the full semester begins, students continue with one Italian language course (3 credits), the required Intercultural Dialogue, Democracy, and Global Citizenship through Reflection course (3 credits), and one to two elective courses (3 – 6 credits), for a total of 12 – 15 credits.
Course Registration
Students complete their course registration during the SAI enrollment process by selecting their primary course choices. Course schedules are confirmed in Siena after students have been given an introduction to the courses and finalized which courses they will take.
| Pre-Departure Calendar | |
|---|---|
| October 15 2026 |
Application Closes Applications accepted after closing as space permits. |
| Within 1 week of acceptance |
SAI Deposits Due $500 Enrollment Deposit (applied toward program fee) $300 Security Deposit (refundable) |
| October 1 2026 |
50% of Total Program Fee Due Students who are accepted and submit SAI deposits after this date will have an amended pay schedule. 50% of the Program Fee will be due within 5 business days, based on the deposit payment date. |
| October 15 2026 |
Financial Aid Agreement & Financial Aid Program Deposit Deadline Students wishing to utilize SAI financial aid payment deferment must complete the Financial Aid Agreement form and submit the Financial Aid Program Deposit by this date. Students whose deposit payment date is on or after this date will have a deadline of 5 days after the deposit. |
| October 15 2026 |
SAI Scholarship Application Deadline Students wishing to apply for a SAI scholarship must have all application items submitted by 11:59pm Pacific Time on this date. |
| October 29 2026 |
Enrollment Closes Students must complete their enrollment, including paying deposits, by this date. |
| November 15 2026 |
SAI Financial Aid Verification Deadline Students wishing to defer payment until financial aid disbursement must submit the financial aid verification forms to SAI by this date. |
| December 1 2026 |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due (For students utilizing SAI financial aid payment deferment, any balance not covered by aid is due) |
| On-site Calendar | |
|---|---|
| Coming soon |
Arrival & Housing Check-in Students arrive at Florence Peretola Airport (FLR). Students must arrive by 2:30pm for the group shuttle to Siena where students are transferred to family housing. |
| Coming soon |
SIS Academic Orientation SIS holds several days of orientation activities and events including walking tours and group social events. |
| Coming soon |
Courses Begin |
| Coming soon |
Spring Break (no class) Students must vacate their host family’s home for this time period unless other arrangements are made directly with the family. |
| Coming soon |
Final Exams |
| Coming soon |
Program End & Housing Check-out Students must move out of housing by 10:00am to return home or pursue independent travel. |
| SAI Program Fees* | USD |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $120 |
| Security Deposit Refundable at the end of the term. |
$300 |
| Program Fee Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included). |
Coming soon |
| Optional / Additional Fees: | |
| International Mailing Supplement When applicable, students are charged an international mailing supplement to ensure visa paperwork arrives in a timely manner. |
$90 |
*prices are subject to change
Please see SAI Policies for SAI cancellation & withdrawal deadlines.
Note: certain SAI-affiliated US universities require specific payment arrangements. These may require that some fees are paid by the student directly to SAI, and other fees are paid to SAI by the affiliated university on behalf of the student. If you attend a SAI-affiliated university please contact your study abroad office or speak with your SAI Admissions Counselor for details.
| Budget | Low Est. | High Est. |
|---|---|---|
| Airfare to/from Florence |
$900 | $1,800 |
| Student Visa & Permit to Stay Fees |
$200 | $275 |
| Books, Supplies & Course Fees |
$25 / course | $50 / course |
| Meals Majority of meals included in cost. |
$100 / month | $150 / month |
| Personal Expenses | $250 / month | $350 / month |
| Transportation within Siena Public transportation with some taxi rides. |
$100 / month | $150 / month |
| Weekend Travel Cost varies greatly by student. |
$300 / month | $1,000 / month |
This is a SAI 360° Services Program; it includes our full services!
- Program tuition and U.S. academic credit
- Accommodation in carefully selected student housing
- Airport pickup on arrival day
- Welcome reception and events
- Orientation to the host city and school
- On-site staff who foster a welcoming community for you and provide assistance when needed
- 3 meals/day provided by host family
- SAI Viva Experience: cultural engagement, excursions & wellness activities
- Student health insurance providing full coverage and medical emergency evacuation
- 24-hour on-site emergency support
- Farewell event
Pre-departure and Re-entry services
- Knowledgeable Admissions Counselor dedicated to you, providing friendly assistance
- Helpful pre-departure tools and resources
- Parent & family resources
- Online student groups to acquaint you with other SAI students
- Student visa advising
- Assistance with financial aid processing
- Need-based SAI scholarships
- Alumni Ambassador Program, with paid internship opportunities
- SAI alumni network
SAI offers all students the Viva Experience: frequent cultural activities, at no extra cost, for participants to get to know their community, city and country. Following is a sample of the activities included in this program. Please note that actual activities may differ.
Welcome Reception
Upon arrival, new students, host families and SIS faculty and staff unite at a welcome reception to kick off the semester.
Natural Hot Springs Spa
Students visit the Antica Querciolaia Spa in the town of Rapolano Terme and relax in the therapeutic waters. The spa features a series of large pools fed by the nearby natural springs and overlooks the rolling Tuscan hills.
Brussels Weekend Excursion
Students will visit Brussels, Belgium, the diplomatic and organizational center of the European Union. During the weekend excursion, students tour the headquarters of the EU parliament with an EU representative, visit related museums as well as other EU organizations, NGOs, and cultural attractions.
Italian Weekend Excursion
This excursion varies each term. Recent trips have also included Bologna, Modena and Verona, or Genova and Turin! Each trip is intended to help students explore places they may not have chosen on their own.
Tuscan Seaside
Students explore the breathtaking Tuscan coast by hiking to a secluded cove or relaxing on the dunes along the Mediterranean Sea. After beach time, the group heads to the breathtaking medieval town of Castiglione della Pescaia to explore and sample the best gelato around.
I Bottini: Siena’s Underground Aqueducts
Students tour the Bottini with a local guide, exploring a portion of the miles of galleries that run underneath the city of Siena. Carved during medieval times, the Bottini were used to gather Siena’s drinking water for centuries, feeding the many fountains scattered throughout the city.
Wine Tasting
Students visit a winery, learn about the winemaking process, and enjoy various tastings.
Day Trip to Florence
SIS Art History professor accompanies students on a day trip to Florence to visit the Uffizi Gallery and explore the city and visit one of its famous museums.
Tuscan Cooking Lesson
Students learn the art of Italian cooking in a hands-on, Italian cooking lesson, including appetizers, main courses and dessert. Lessons conclude with a meal of all that is prepared!
Visits to Tuscan Hilltowns
Students explore the Italian countryside, visiting one or more of the quaint towns tucked in the Tuscan hills, such as San Gimignano, Pienza, Montepulciano or Cortona.
Museum Visits in Siena
Students visit various museums in Siena as part of Italian class and other content courses. These include the Duomo, OPA Museum, the Museo Civico, the Santa Maria della Scala, as well as others.
Contrada Museum Visit
Students first have a historic/cultural lesson on Siena’s world-famous Palio and the history of its unique Contrade, then visit the museum and grounds of one of the 17 city districts to learn about it first hand from a contradaiolo.
Ceramics Workshop
Students participate in a hands-on ceramic workshop to create small ceramic objects, and learn a technique to paint decorative ceramic plates typical of Tuscan handicraft.
Farewell Dinner
After the exams are completed and final papers handed in, the students, faculty and staff share in a celebratory final meal to reflect upon the program experience and to say final goodbyes before departure.
Standard Housing: Family homestay
All participants are accommodated with local host families. Homestay accommodations include breakfast and dinner 7 days a week. Students are also provided with a meal plan for weekday lunches at a local restaurant near the school each day. Depending on the particular family placement students could be in a shared or private room. Homestays are an integral and indispensable part of all SIS programs, offering students the opportunity to make life-long friends, reinforce the language skills acquired during daily lessons and to experience modern Italian culture from “the inside.” SIS’s carefully selected families, whether a single mother, a young married couple with children or an elderly widow, are all experienced in hosting American students. The host families view this experience as a form of cultural exchange and are eager to share their version of Italian culture with program participants.
Passports
Passports should be valid for at least 3 months after planned departure from Europe.
Student Visas
In accordance with Italian law, U.S. students studying in Italy for 90 days or less are not required to obtain a student visa. Therefore all U.S. students do not require a student visa for this program. Non-US nationals should consult their local consulate for information on student visa requirements.