CET Academic Programs

I loved my experience in Siena with CET. I think that Siena is the perfect city/program for people who are looking to really connect with the local community and experience Italian culture. My classes were all really enjoyable, not as difficult as my classes at my school, but I also am not a CS major. My favorite class was Sienese art history where we did tours around the city or went to museums almost every class. The staff are all lovely and were very supportive. Siena is a small but gorgeous city and there always seem to be new things to explore despite its size- you really start to feel like you are more than just a tourist here.

My homestay was one of the highlights of my time here, I was able to really feel immersed in the local culture, improve my Italian a ton (I did already speak some Italian though), and have the support of a family. I will say that it seems like not every homestay family made people feel like a real member of their family as much as mine did, but overall my friends' homestay experiences seem to have been positive. Would definitely recommend for those who want to practice their Italian. I also got to go to events at my host family's contrada which was a super cool experience most visitors don't have access to.

I genuinely do not have anything bad to say about my own experience in Siena- I met lots of wonderful people, learned a lot, and overall had a really incredible time abroad.

CET Florence has hands down been one of the best experiences of my life. When envisioning my study abroad experience, I expected that the best moments would be traveling during the weekends. However, I found that the weekdays with the CET staff and professors has made my overall study abroad experience all the better. The staff members were so accessible and friendly; I felt like I can go to them with any problem or concern comfortably and I knew that I would get help immediately. Moreover, every single professor I had were all so wonderful. Not only did they try their best to make the classes engaging and exciting, but they also were so personable. I felt like I knew my professors very well by the end of the program, and that they now know me very well as well. All my classes were also very thought provoking, challenging, yet interesting. Two classes, Food and Culture and Wine Studies, were both so amazing that I felt excited to go to class every day! The enoteca visits and the food tastings for the classes are so unique to CET and Italy as a whole, and this was an experience I know I will not be able to get back at my university in America. Although the housing was not as amazing as the rest of the program, I know that this is because Florence is an older city. Living in city center was perfect as well, and CET did a great job with the location because everything is walkable from our classrooms and our apartments. This entire semester I felt so supported and cared for, making this study abroad experience so personal and unique. I will miss all my friends that I made here who come from different universities, and I will cherish my new friends that I would not have known if it weren't for CET Florence. Moreover, I will wholeheartedly miss the wonderful CET staff and professors who made learning so enjoyable and exciting. I would without a doubt recommend CET Italy / Florence to anyone who is considering studying abroad. I would not have wanted my study abroad experience to go or be with any other program!

My study abroad experience on CET in Florence was something I will never forget. I went into this experience leaving a lot of my close friends behind, whether they were studying in other European countries, cities, or back at Cornell. I worried about being able to make friends and have people to travel with, but I quickly made so many new friends and was traveling the world with them. Choosing Florence as a home city was an amazing decision. Over the course of my time abroad, I really immersed myself in the culture and can call this place my home. I knew how to get around without Google Maps by the end and have tried many incredible restaurants. The food is seriously to die for in Florence. I also loved how walkable the city was making it so easy to get around. I would highly suggest anyone considering studying abroad in the future to go to Florence. I am going to miss it so much!

Being in Florence was great and the apartments were in wonderful locations in the city. Sometimes a bit noisy because of how close they were to the city center, but certainly well worth it. The teachers were all great, though some were difficult to understand.

I will also say that the attendance policy was very harsh. There were only three absences allowed per class, otherwise, your grade would drop a whole letter grade (at 5 absences) and and failure after 8 absences. There were no exceptions for illness, death in the family, personal circumstances, etc. even if you could document these incidences.

I have to say that I overall I had a great experience. I have never before felt more like a University Student in my life. My courses has been challenging, but has been helpful in improving my Mandarin Chinese. Living and Getting Around the city of Taipei has been extremely convenient with the recommendations to purchase the T-Pass etc. What I like especially is how easy it is really to find things to do that are free or relatively low price as well. I am never bored here, but able to appreciate moments of relaxations as well.