John Hall Venice Pre-University Gap Year Course; European Culture

John Hall Venice made me so much more independent and developed a lot of life skills I know will be useful for a long time. It was the first time I had been fully away from home for an extended time with no family. I made friends who I hope to stay in touch with and I felt like I was part of a small family for a good 6 weeks. The lectures are kept interesting and topical, while being taught by professionals who know their topic extensively. Venice is one of the most beautiful cities in the world and so unique. It was amazing coming to know it so well and feeling a real attachment to the city.

It’s a hard thing to review as there is such little criticism, I think as soon as you meet everyone in London you know if you’ll have fun or not and I promise you that you will. There’s not a boring moment! Ever! After the few days in London you will be gagging to get out to Venice to spend the next 2 months with these people who you may or may not have known before doing it, I knew near to nobody before doing it and that didn’t stop me from having friends who I have seen in the regular since. Don’t let it stop you and go head first!

I would highly recommend JHV for anyone with an interest in the arts. The lecturers are so knowledgable and accomplished in their fields, and are deeply inspiring. You will spend so much time exploring Venice and the surrounding areas and will be fully immersed in Renaissance Venice. Learning to make pasta in the cookery classes is a fun way to wind down at the end of the day and Campo Santa Margherita is the place to be for a drink in the evenings! You will make life-long friends and connections and will not regret a single moment. Charlie and the team are so welcoming and supportive and make you feel at home instantly.

At once diverse and integrated, international and with a safe, small-town vibe—and not to mention in the most special country in the world—Venice is the perfect place for a young person learning opportunity, responsibly, maturity, and perspective. Only now, after a year at a top university and on a study year abroad in this singular city, do I realise what a gift the John Hall course was. The quality of education is unmissable; the experience will be the first great day of the rest of your life.

I could not recommend the John Hall Venice course more highly. Almost a year on and I still think about my experience in Venice daily: not only did it leave me with wonderful friends and memories, it also changed and enlivened the way I see the world around me in many ways and has made me deeply excited about all the things we learned, which were unknown to me before. I am so grateful to Charlie Hall and everyone from JHV for this gift which keeps on giving, and only wish I could do it all over again!