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Art History Abroad

4.97 Rating
138 reviews
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Why choose Art History Abroad?

Study art, architecture and European culture in Italy, France and London for a semester in the autumn, 6 weeks during the Gap Year or a 2-4 week Summer holiday course. Art History Abroad programmes are carefully structured and brilliantly taught so that art and culture come to life. We believe in a few simple truths: that art is best taught in the presence of the real thing and that tutor groups (of 9 students or fewer) should encourage discourse and expression. AHA tutors travel with the course, providing a friendly, enthusiastic approach, which has been an inspiration to countless students for 30 years. Open to students of all disciplines, students need only an enquiring mind.

Website
www.arthistoryabroad.com
Founded
1987
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Community Photos

Grand canal from textile factory we visited
Naples
Tiramicrew
View from the Duomo
Gelato in Italy
A completely empty Vatican!! Our magical morning tour
Visiting Angi's home in San Gimignano!! GORGEOUS vineyard, dogs, family, food, and swimming
Getting tirimisu almost everywhere!
Boat trip in Sicily
Sketching architecture together in Rome
My group at our last formal dinner in Venice.
my group in titignano
Siena
Sunrise in Venice (week 6)

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Community Awards

  • Go Overseas Award
  • Go Overseas Award

Scholarships

Trenchard Cox Scholarship

The Scholarship was established in memory of Sir Trenchard Cox and awards the winner an Art History Abroad 2-week Summer Course (£4995 in 2024) in Italy; the value can be transferred to any other AHA course.

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Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

AHA courses are open to all. We pride ourselves with creating a safe and inclusive environment where people from all backgrounds are able to enjoy a life changing travelling experience.

At AHA we know that culture leads to confidence, so every course has two aims: to discover and explore European culture and, in equal measure, the development of young people in a space where they feel secure and integrated.

Any form of discrimation is not accepted on AHA.

LGBTQIA+ Support

AHA courses are open to all. We pride ourselves with creating a safe and inclusive environment where people from all backgrounds are able to enjoy a life changing travelling experience.

At AHA we know that culture leads to confidence, so every course has two aims: to discover and explore European culture and, in equal measure, the development of young people in a space where they feel secure and integrated.

Further Italy and Europe in general are quite progressive with regards to LGBTQIA+ policy, lifestyle and any form of discrimation is not accepted on AHA.

Accessibility Support

AHA has a track record for taking students with varying kinds and levels of disabilities on courses, and we warmly encourage applications from all people.

Since our tutor to student ratio is very small (never more than 1 tutor to 9 students), AHA provides individual support shaped to the needs of each and every student, ensuring excellent care of young people. We therefore make provisions and organise an environment where people with disabilities can safely enjoy their travelling and make the most of their experience.

Impact

Sustainability

Our programs are geared toward environmental education understood in relation to wider themes of history, society and culture.

During our courses we always encourage critical thinking and we take the time to explore the impact that travelling has both at an individual and organisational level. We are also committed to maximising the net positive impact while minimising the carbon footprint of every program- Nick Ross, director of AHA, plants a tree for each flight that is being purchased to attend any of our programs to offset the carbon footprint of our courses.

Reviews

Default avatar
Isadora
19
Female
United Kingdom
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Art History Abroad | Summer Gap Courses in Italy

Great experience

Aug 20, 2024

Going on the AHA summer northern course was the best thing I’ve ever done both for my interest in art and personal growth. The level of art we saw in such a short space of time whilst still being able to learn about it and enjoy it was amazing. The tutors were engaging and passionate about the subject and I loved that they were so easy to talk too and willing to help. I was able to grow so much as a person on this trip, before I was often nervous in groups and very shy but the spending time with students really helped grow my confidence.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Make the most of being in Italy and use your free afternoons to explore other areas or museums and go to every activity both organised for you and other students on the group. You spend so much time together and get to know everyone!
Pros
  • Making the best memories
  • The broad range of art and culture you learn about
  • The students and tutors who all have the same passions as you
Cons
  • You often feel tired after sessions and there should be more times to relax
  • A lot of walking
  • In museums you don’t always get time to look at things your interested in
Grand canal from textile factory we visited
Default avatar
Adam
22
Male
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Art History Abroad | Summer Gap Courses in Italy

Great time had fun!

Aug 12, 2024

This course I hope to be the start of a new beginning in my life. The time when I have finally lifted myself out of depression and actualized what I feel is true potential. Someone who is healthy in mind and body, and someone who is well equipped to overcome the challenges and hardships of this existence and society. Someone who has conquered indecision and procrastination, and someone who both gives and receives dedication, respect, and joy. And above someone who realizes that I am someone deserving of that. I hope to one day look back on that beach in Naples as the inspiration of a life changing first attempt at true self discipline.

Default avatar
Sophie
19
Female
Isle of Man
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Art History Abroad | Summer Gap Courses in Italy

I learnt so much

Jul 30, 2024

AHA was very challenging for me but overall it was a fun and valuable experience that taught me a lot about myself!

I learnt so much, had so much amazing food, and overall have a good time! It was very interesting to learn about art history which i did not have a background in, and to have in death explanations of painting and different pieces of art.

The tutors were both amazing teachers to really helped to learn and very happy to answer any questions. But they were also so supportive and helpful.

Default avatar
Georgia
18
Female
United Kingdom
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Art History Abroad | Summer Gap Courses in Italy

What a 2 weeks

Jul 30, 2024

This trip was so much fun in all aspects, from the broadening of my knowledge of Italian culture to meeting so many wonderful new people. I have had so much fun in both seeing art and architecture, and participating in the many other activities. It was the most enriching experience - eyeopening to the wider world that we live in. The tutors are the most amazing, always getting us involved in all that we do .Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a trip that is both educational, fun and exciting. Might even do another course….

What was your funniest moment?
One of my tutor Breaking a chair during dinner.
Pros
  • Meeting new people
  • Seeing amazing art and architecture
Naples
Default avatar
Mia
20
Female
Canada
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
6-week Gap Year Course in Italy | Art History Abroad

I lived my dreams at AHA!

Apr 18, 2024

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.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
We went to the Vatican at 5am!
Waking up that early is usually not so fun, but when it is to see one of the most toured collections of art and architecture in the world, with just your group of ten or so people, it is sooo worth it. We were given the keys to open all of the doors of the Vatican, turned on all of the lights and stared in wonder at the impeccable art all around us, with no noisy crowds to disturb us. It really was one of the most magical moments of my life.
Pros
  • The people
  • Access and guides to the most incredible art in the world
  • Travelling and discovering new places
Cons
  • It's quite expensive:(
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Programs

Displaying 1 - 4 of 4

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Alexa Lane

Program
6-week Gap Year Course in Italy | Art History Abroad
Alexa's time with AHA motivated her to continue her study of art history, architecture, and economics at Middlebury College. She hopes to return to Europe as soon as possible to continue her studies!
Alexa poses with friends in front of a colorful backdrop

Why did you choose this program?

I chose Art History Abroad because I had never tried anything like it before. I'm a big believer of throwing yourself into the deep end and learning how to swim. So, I thought there couldn't be a better way to spend my gap semester than in a new country learning about a subject I had barely even heard of.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

I did not go through a program provider or university to find AHA. I met the director, Nick, at a gap year fair at my high school during my senior year and figured out the rest on my own! The AHA team was incredibly flexible and responsive (despite the time difference), and I was able to sort everything out myself.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

One piece of advice I would give to a new student would be to ask as their tutors as many questions as they can possibly think of. All of the AHA tutors are incredibly knowledgable and they want to cater the course to your needs and interests. They also have great stories to share. All you have to do is ask!

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

I would say there isn't an average day in the sense that you are doing the same thing every day. However most days follow a similar structure. We would meet as a group at around 9 am every morning and head off to our first lesson of the day. The lessons varied in location from church, to museum, to a public square. Sometimes we would take a cooking class, a private tour of a collection or cathedral, or were taught how to make Venetian masks! Around noon we would break for lunch and meet up again around 1pm for another lecture. After that, we would be free until dinner when we would meet usually as a whole group and discuss the day! Unless we had a special event, we were free for the evening, but often I would find myself hanging out with the tutors and other group members all night.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I was probably most nervous about being away from home for so long. My time with AHA was the longest I had ever been away from my friends and family and didn't know anyone else going on the program. But as soon as I met the tutors and some of the other students on the trip, I knew I was going to be completely fine. I think my views on homesickness changed because I no longer worry about being alone in the same way. Being away from home for some long allowed me to develop the confidence in myself to be able to chat with anyone or become friends with anyone.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Henry Tudor-Pole

Program
Art History Abroad | The Autumn European Gap Semester Program
Job Title
Tutor
Henry has studied art at the Royal Drawing School, London, St. John's College, Oxford, and the Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa. He continues to do so as a tutor with Art History Abroad.

What is your favorite travel memory?

It's got to be attending the New Generation Festival in Florence, an extravagant three-night celebration of music and theatre, with young performers and a young audience soaking up the atmosphere on the grounds of the Corsini Palace. One night, the concert went on to the Ognissanti church, and I don't think anyone sitting in that magical, Baroque interior was left with a dry eye.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Working with AHA has significantly developed me as a person in several respects. Of course, it has deepened my awareness of art and my sense of the past, but it has also built my confidence in small ways that are manifested in everyday life at home, which can be hard to describe. I am better at speaking to an audience and bringing the subject to life.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

One student became fascinated with Dante's Divine Comedy after encountering it on an AHA course and told the story back to me in a way that made me see it afresh. He then went on to take up cookery and invented a meal based on Dante's journey through Hell, Purgatory and Paradise! I can't imagine a more original interpretation.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I would choose the Southern Italy program, for the chance to learn more about the Kingdom of Sicily. I am fascinated by the hotbed of cultural exchange that was twelfth-century Sicily, and also by the sultry chaos of modern Palermo and Naples. There is an epic, romantic quality to the south that I find appealing. The food is not bad, either.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

To be part of a team like AHA's is a constant source of delight. I can't imagine many companies are so warm and decent at every level of the organization, and I feel lucky to be a part of it. I felt proud of the team when we got together in London to see another tutor playing a gig in Shepherd's Bush.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

Probably it's to do with giving students the opportunity to grow in their own ways and according to their own will and not along with a set of predetermined rails. The company sets up the conditions in which students can have an enriching experience, at which point it is exciting to see what they are able to make of it.

Professional Associations

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