Art History Abroad was an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience I’m so grateful to have had. In just six jam-packed weeks I traveled to Rome, Siena, Florence, Bologna, Castelfranco, and Venice with a group of like-minded gappers and tutors. Cultural activities included painting Venetian masks, witnessing glass-blowing on Murano island, cooking traditional Italian cuisine, and marbling paper. We explored the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Uffizi, Pompeii, Ravenna Mosaics, and Guggenheim. We studied the magnum opuses of Michelangelo, da Vinci, Raphael, Donatello, Bernini, and Botticelli, among countless others, in situ. We learned to recognize the tell-tale signs of Gothic art—gold leaf, pointed arches—as opposed to that of the High Renaissance—realist muscled figures in complicated compositions—which we in turn could differentiate from the chiaroscuro and dramatic motion of the Baroque. Perhaps most special was when we, still rubbing sleep dust from our eyes in the wee hours of morning before opening time, watched the sunrise over St. Peter’s basilica and took a guided tour of the expansive Vatican museums and fresco-filled Sistine Chapel.

I had a wonderful experience with AhA.

As a non-native English speaker, I was afraid of the language barrier, but this program helped me improve significantly, and I was able to make really special and life-changing contacts with other students. This program really gets you no matter if you’re an expert in art and history or a total beginner like I was. I was able to learn so much and create memorable memories. At first, I didn’t believe it but after these 6 weeks, I can say without hesitation our AhA group became like a family to me.

The entire course was wonderful in every aspect. The tutors were kind, caring, and passionate about their fields of knowledge. The friends I made in the course are the most incredible people I've ever met, and I will truly remember my time with AHA forever. I fell so deeply in love with Italy and all of the art we saw! I felt like I was living my dreams, with days spent talking passionately about Italian art, laughing and running free through the cities with new friends, and eating delicious food during dinners with the people that became like my family. This trip holds such a special place in my heart.

10000/10!!!!!! I made friends I am still close with :) we see each other all over the world and update our old chats. Everyone loved what they were teaching and we loved what we were learning which is the best way to experience education. It’s a safe place to experience the world while still having people around us who kept an eye out for us. The down time allowed us to go see more of the city, take a nap, or hang out, which you need when you’re walking like 10 miles a day. Though I couldn’t eat pasta or pizza for a few months after- it is seriously the best thing I did on my gap year (maybe in my teenage years)

Honestly, best 6 weeks of my life. As a person who is absolutely in love with art and Italy this was easily the most exciting and incredible experience I have had the chance to take. This would not have been possible if it weren’t for all of the other amazing students I met, whom I still am friends with, but also the knowledgeable tutors who made this possible. I wish I could go back in time and relive this, therefore I really recommend it to anyone who is thinking about it, I know that if I ever had the chance again I would!

I had the best time on art history abroad, i learnt so much about many artists and art pieces and had so much fun learning! I met wonderful people and had an amazing experience overall. The students were all from different country’s so it was so fun to meet so many different people with different life experiences. We also all shared our opinions on art with the tutors and had amazing discussions and debates relating to the art. We saw amazing exhibits and galleries that were always really quiet making the experience peaceful. The tutors also set us the most fun and interesting activities in the art gallery’s that inspired and engaged us with the art.

I absolutely loved Art History Abroad. It was six weeks of learning about the most wonderful art, eating heavily food, and being with the best people. Being in Italy was amazing and it was a very lucky thing to be lead through it by the best tutors. I always felt very at home there because of that. There was a fabulous mix between hilarious evenings/ moments and wonderfully inspiring lessons. I feel I have learnt so much more about the world. I just loved it all and could not recommend it more.

From start to finish this is a unique and fantastic experience. The tutors are friendly and knowledgeable - supporting you every step of the way. This is a course for people who want to broaden their minds in the most beautiful of countries - La Bella Italia! The course and days are very well paced to enable you to soak up Italian life. From rowing gondolas in Venice to a private tour of the Vatican you will be amazed everyday. This experience made my gap year, I just wish I could do it again! Thank you AHA!