6-week Gap Year Course in Italy | Art History Abroad

Going on AHA was the best decision I made during my gap year. The tutors are so wonderful and the teaching was really engaging and interesting. I still can’t believe that we had a private tour of the Vatican and Saint Mark’s Basilica. It was really a once in a lifetime experience.

Some people had studied art history before, some hadn’t, but I think being with a group of people with similar interests really helped us to bond. I was quite nervous at first, especially when committing to a 6 week course with a bunch of strangers, but the way that the course is designed meant we all got to know each other very quickly and it didn’t take long to feel comfortable around one another. I have made some of my best friends for life, who I still talk to every day. Do this programme, you will not regret it!!!!

Choosing to go on this 6-week program was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

From the start, I knew I would love the experience as even my chat with Cressida to gather information about this specific program was lovely. Cressida and Nick are some of the kindest people I have met. I haven’t even touched on the tutors.

Something I love about AHA is that the tutors are somewhat around the ages of the students. In my opinion, this allows for greater learning as students can feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts, and the best learning environment is one where you feel at ease, respected, and heard. All the tutors on this trip were wonderful and very caring. For example, Angelica Fenzi (one of the tutors) took me to the clinic when I got sick and the long wait didn’t seem so long with the genuine conversations we had. I appreciate the time and effort put in by each one of the tutors; they really are incredible. Just make sure you are prepared to deal with the playful banter and possible head “pats”/“smacks” (shoutout to Ed Hands). It was just as fun getting to know them as it was getting to know my peers.

Speaking of, my group was great. Everyone got along well and I made some friendships that are irreplaceable. Movie nights and dinners out. Dancing and taking silly videos. What could be better? The only downside was saying goodbye. It’s been two days and I miss them so much, but we keep in touch!

Now, onto the art and history finally. I gained so much knowledge from this trip and my eyes were opened to a different way of looking at art and the history behind artwork, architecture, peoples, etc. There was never a dull moment and the conversation was always flowing. There are no lectures; instead, it’s a constant discussion and sharing of facts, ideas, and general thoughts. The things we saw cannot be put into words. There was so much beauty and history behind everything we passed. Visiting these places is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Even if you aren’t planning on doing something in the future related to these subjects, like myself, I really recommend this program regardless. I loved the fact that I was able to explore an interest of mine before going down another path in college.

I feel truly honored to have gone on this trip and am so grateful to AHA for this life-changing experience. Not only did I learn so much, but I gained confidence and relationships that will surely last.

I was a student on AHA’s 6 week Early Summer Course from the end of May to early July 2022 and it was without a doubt the BEST aspect of my gap year. Our select group of 11 travelled the length and breadth of Italy discovering the greatest artists, architects, leaders and thinkers from the early Christian church, through the Renaissance, and right up to the 21st century. All the while we bonded as a group to form strong bonds of friendship while sharing knowledge, opinions and laughs (lots of them)! Accompanied by the most inspiring, approachable and easy-going tutors who shared their endless information in the most creative and thought-provoking ways…from Italian language classes in Siena to a private tour unlocking the Vatican…you’ll leave Italy with a rounded knowledge of its culture and an ability to embrace any culture where-ever you go in the future. If you love Italian history, fine art, striking architecture, good food and travelling with friends then this course is the ONE for you! Don’t think twice just sign up - you’ll never look back (except to reminisce on the great times you had in Italy)!

AHA is undoubtedly the best program abroad for any art lover or any student interested in Italy and making lasting friendships from around the world. The AHA tutors and teachings are unrivaled, and you will learn more than you could ever expect. AHA was genuinely the time of my life. Don't worry if you don't have a huge interest in art; the tutors illuminate and make art incredibly engaging and fun. My memories from AHA will stay with me for life, and the friendships have stayed strong almost a year after we left.

Having the opportunity to immerse yourself into Italian culture, food, art and history is something that is beyond incredible. And to have a group of tutors/leaders who are so passionate about providing you with a top quality experience only furthers how incredible it is. AHA is dedicated to opening the doors that allow you to spark your own interests and creativity surrounding what you do and see and the love they put into not only their lessons but the students makes it by far the best option.

Art History Abroad's gap year course in Italy was unforgettable, magical and inspirational.

It was so special because I had never travelled to Italy or studied Art History, so turning every street brought some extraordinary new mind blowing revelation. Thirty two years later I remember moments of that trip better than many of the years in between.

Sharing such a joyful experience with others was part of the magic. Any young person who has a store of joyful moments to inspire, will find them comfort through hard times.

I spend three weeks with Art History Abroad during August 2020 on their Regeneration Summer Course. I joined them for a week in Naples, then five days in Rome, three days in Siena, and the rest in Florence.

The course exceeded my expectations by a mile. I was joining the course alone after its first week and was worried that everyone would already be friends with each other & I would be the new one; but, within minutes of arriving I had already met everyone and gotten completely comfortable with all the students and tutors. Prior to going, I had already met Marie Naffah, one of my tutors in Naples, at two different school gap fairs. I remember finding her extremely friendly & easy to interact with, and so I was very happy to have her for my first week of the course. I think that the tutors are one of the best aspects of AHA. With each tutor I had (Steve Nelson, Marie Naffah, Joe Nickols, Holly Morrison, Nick Ross and Helen Oakden) I found that I had more of a friendly relationship with them rather than a student-teacher one. The lessons were more like conversations than lectures which was perfect for discussing all of the amazing things which we saw every day.

The course itself was exactly what I was looking for. Having been unable to take Art History as a subject at school, I found myself able to understand everything that the tutors were talking about & to present my own thoughts properly. I had the opportunity to learn about whole areas of history & art which I had never thought about much before and the variety of periods, places, and cultures we covered was amazing.

When the course finished I was very sad to have to leave the group and the environment which we had been living in for the last few weeks; however, I have soon was able to return to Italy and live in Rome for 8 weeks. Walking around the city, everything that I recognised from the course brought back happy memories and I found that I knew far more about the different sites than the others around me. I had the most amazing time with AHA and I really hope that I will be able to join them again at some point in the future.

I decided to go on a month long AHA summer course around a month before it began. I was feeling bored and uninspired from being stuck at home during lockdown without anything to do. I was not keen at first to go on a summer course as what I imagined was a sort of glorified school trip. I could not have been more wrong. The students and tutors were all interesting and entertaining and I have made friends I know I will be close with for the rest of my life - including quite a few who are now at university with me! I could not recommend this course enough, I find myself thinking back to August whenever the rain or my essays start to get me down.