Program Reviews

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.

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.

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.

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….

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.

I loved my time with AHA. Six weeks of adventure, laughter, and memories I will forever cherish. I was able to experience Italian culture firsthand and learned so much about art history, which I am currently studying at university. It’s an experience that I would highly recommend. The tutors were extremely amiable, supportive, and knowledgeable in their subjects. One tutor even helped take care of me when I was sick, she took me to the store to get medicine. Overall, this program was amazing and I am so grateful I got to be a part of this life changing experience.

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)

AHA holds such a special place in my heart. I went on the Autumn Gap Year Program in 2022. Prior to going I loved art and loved Italy, so i had no doubt i would have a good time but i could have never anticipated quite how memorable and special those 6 weeks would be.

I made friends from all over the world, many of whom i still see regularly and keep in touch with and i learned so much - not just about art but history, music, poetry, literature, philosophy and language. The tutors were incredible and invaluable to the experience. The course completely departed from a school way of teaching, which is exactly what i wanted after finishing my A levels but this by no means hindered how much i learned (if anything the focus on discussion, listing to one another’s opinions and learning to look and learn with your eyes made me learn so much more about Italian culture compared to if i had been in a classroom!).

I really couldn’t say a single best thing about AHA - after all every single day was packed with exciting activities from visiting galleries and museums to exploring the catacombs in Naples and making pasta and rowing down the canals in Venice. But, if I had to choose, some highlights for me were walking up to San Miniato al Monte in Florence and looking over the whole city during sunset, doing the gold leaf workshop in Siena and listening to some of my friends singing in San Marco in Venice with no one else but us there. These are just a couple of standout moments but every day really was special in its own way.

I couldn’t speak higher of AHA and the time I had with them. Almost 2 years later and I have no hesitation in saying it was without a doubt the best 6 weeks of my life!!

My Fall Semester abroad with AHA was nothing short of excellence. It honestly was the best experience I have ever had. The tutors were extremely caring and genuinely wanted to build friendships with the students. The locations of the trip were incredible, and nothing like anything I have ever experienced. Learning about art history in the rich European landscape made the experience even more fruitful. Now that I am studying abroad again, I seek to travel to a lot of the locations I had been previously with AHA, and impressively, remember a lot of the history. Overall, I highly recommend AHA to anyone who is game for an adventure, and looking to make lifelong friendships with people from all over the globe.

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!