There’s nothing quite like summer in Siena, Italy. This medieval Tuscan city comes alive each year with the energy of the Palio horse race, and SIS summer students experience it all from a local’s perspective—living with host families and immersing themselves in the city’s vibrant culture. SAI’s 4 week program at SIS combines Italian language study with service-learning and cultural exploration. Open to all language levels, students earn 6 US credits: 3 credits of Italian Language and 3 credits from an English-taught elective. SAI offers two sessions—Summer II and Summer III—which are nearly identical, though Session II runs slightly longer to include the Palio.
Application open until: early March 2026
Apps accepted after closing as space permits
Application Requirements
Complete online application
Personal statement (300-500 words)
Transcript
Passport scan (photo & signature page)
Italian privacy consent form
Highlights
- All levels of Italian welcome, beginners welcome!
- Experience Il Palio Horse Race and Festival
- Volunteer in the community each week
Program Dates
Early June 2026 – Early July 2026
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
Students in all SIS programs perform service in the community through the IC partner Ulisse Cultural Association. This service can range from 1 – 5 hours per week, with opportunities in a variety of service sites. Students might set tables at the city soup kitchen, visit with the elderly at a nursing home, teach English to local elementary school children or volunteer on the city ambulance. Volunteering in the community is an important way to improve language skills, get involved in the local social fabric and make a genuine contribution to the host community. For more information on volunteering see SIS Service Learning & Volunteer.
Courses & Schedule
Students enrolled in the 4 week summer program at SIS take one Italian language course (3 credits) and one elective course: Intercultural Dialogue, Democracy and Global Citizenship through Reflection (3 credits) taught in English for a total of 6 credits. Students also participate more actively in service-learning activities. All levels of Italian are welcome in this program.
Course Registration
Students complete their course registration during the SAI application 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 | |
|---|---|
| Coming soon |
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) |
| Coming soon |
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. |
| Coming soon |
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. |
| March 15 2026 |
SAI Scholarship Application Deadline Students wishing to apply for an SAI scholarship must have all application items submitted by 11:59pm Pacific Time on this date. |
| Coming soon |
Enrollment Closes Students must complete their enrollment, including paying deposits, by this date. |
| Coming soon |
SAI Financial Aid Verification Deadline Students wishing to defer payment until financial aid disbursement must submit the financial aid verification form to SAI by this date. |
| Coming soon |
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 |
Classes Begin |
| 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 |
| Books, Supplies & Course Fees Course fees are sometimes imposed to cover field trips. |
$25 / course | $50 / course |
| Meals Host family supplies all meals except eating out. |
I$100 / month | $200 / 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 program.
Overnight Excursion: Tuscan Coast
The group travels to the Tuscan coast for an overnight excursion. The weekend includes relaxing on the beach, exploring the medieval town of Castiglione della Pescaia and the town of Massa Marittima.
Tuscan Cooking Lessons
Students learn the art of Italian cooking in two complete, hands-on, Italian cooking lessons, including appetizers, main courses and dessert. Lessons conclude with a tasting 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.
Wine Tasting
Students visit a winery, learn about the wine-making 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.
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.
Il Palio Horse Race and Festival
This exhilarating bareback horse race happens in Siena twice a summer: on July 2nd and August 16th and is a centuries old Sienese festival. For the 4 days leading up to the race, the city transforms and those students in Siena on July 2nd will join the celebration and experience all aspects of the festival “from the inside” and witness what makes Siena such a unique city.
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 in private rooms with local host families. Homestay accommodations include 3 meals a day 7 days a week. 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 3 months after planned departure from Italy.
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.