Program Reviews

AHA is an amazing and enriching course.
Throughout the six weeks, you are able to enrich your knowledge of not only art history but also mythology, literature, politics and gastronomy; experience Italian culture and, meet extraordinary people.

Tutors are the motor and heart of this programme. They are incredibly passionate and enthusiastic about art and Italian culture and this makes every visit to museums, churches, streets, villas and cemeteries amazing and unique. Their explanations and the discussions they bring up can definitely transport you to other times and places.
Moreover, they become great friends with whom to go out on a Monday morning jog; with whom to walk with along Rome's beuatiful and magical streets to find a lavanderia where to remove the wine off your clothes; share some pesto, cheese and dried tomatoes wile listening to a friend reading Keats and, help and support you with any struggle or concern you may have.

Furthermore, I met beautiful and kind-hearted people that I am lucky to consider now as 'friends'. Six months have passed and we can still recall wake up calls, nights out, entertaining visits and funny moments when we meet up.

On this course not only was I able to see marvelous works of art but I lived, breathed and ate Italy; there were opportunities to experience everything cultural and entertaining on offer, from the Venetian nightlife to the Vatican we did everything humanly possible in two weeks. I did a summer course that took me to Venice, Florence and Rome and it is a part of my life that I not only treasure but think about regularly. The tutors had an incredible amount of knowledge and information available, not a single question went unanswered. Due to the experience that the tutors have, they know where all the best restaurants are and take you to them, in Florence we were taken to the most wonderful steak restaurant where steak fiorentina is a must. The friends that I made on the course were all so enjoyable to be around and came from all over the world- it was so exciting to share knowledge and interest with everyone. The course was incredibly inspiring and to be able to see the art in such a romantic and idyllic fashion is something that I can't possibly recommend enough- it was one of the best experiences that I have had and ignited a passion for art that has remained with me, even now.

I went on this course in the summer after my first year studying History of Art at university and it was everything I hoped it would be. However the fantastic thing about this course is that it is beneficial to anyone who chooses to go on it- whether they are studying the subject, still at school or have already graduated. I learnt an incredible amount that has come in useful already in my second year studies, thanks to the constant attention of the tutors and the fact that almost every day was organised down to the last detail. We also had the opportunity to see the cities we visited for ourselves, with days set aside in each place for exploring as well as during the days in breaks. We ate together as a big group every evening which was really nice, and it gave everyone a chance to catch up if they had been in different groups. I had so much fun and really wish I had been able to do a longer gap year course, but two weeks spent in Florence, Rome and Venice is hardly a tough alternative. I would recommend it to anyone 100%.

I went on on the AHA Northern and Southern courses in two consecutive summers, and they were probably the best 4 weeks of my life! From knowing nothing about Art History or Italy, I came away with not only a fantastic insight and understanding of the Italian culture, art and history, but I've been totally inspired since to learn more and visit the cities. I think the thing that AHA offers (which no other tourist or educational experience does) is that although you learn such a lot in such a short space of time, it's made so interesting by being totally immersed in the culture, and the fact that the tutors are such great fun!

In terms of the social side, I've made so many friends (both people on the course and the tutors) who I still keep in touch with and we all know and value what an amazing experience we shared together.

I have recommended this experience to all of my friends (Art historians or not). It really is worth every single penny!

AHA, I've got to say, is one of the chances in my lifetime that I am the most thankful for taking. If you as a parent or gap year hopeful have been searching for programs for days, weeks, maybe even months, then you should take the time to consider this program. Because of the tutor's passion and sincere admiration for the art and architecture being studied, it is nearly impossible not to take interest and engage yourself in group discussion. I found that the tutor to student relationship was easy to establish because the restrictions and awkwardness that a classroom setting sometimes has were completely stripped away. We traveled together, we ate together, we learned together, and were lucky enough to experience Italy unlike the average tourist because of the tutor's familiarities with the country.

If you have a craving to be surrounded by espresso's, fresco's, and incredible people, then I would recommend AHA.

AHA was one of the most fulfilling things I've done. It was a fun, informative, and all-round incredible experience. The tutors are all fantastic, the art and locations are stunning, and I met some of the best people. I couldn't have asked for more.
I found out about AHA through my sister, who loved it so much that she did 2 of their trips. If you're considering AHA, my advice is to go for it - you won't regret it.

I went straight in to college from high school, and therefore didn't take a gap year. However, in high school I'd met Alice Lindsay (one of the tutors) at a gap year fair and I kept in touch with both her and Nick Ross after the fair. When I mentioned that I was travelling to Europe for my summer holiday from college, Nick suggested I see if I could spend part of my time with AHA, and of course I said yes.

Although I only spent the last week with the 6-week AHA group, I felt like I'd been with them longer. I was very nervous to be joining so late in the program, but once I met the students and tutors, I knew I had no reason to be. Everyone was so kind and welcoming. This program is by far the best way to learn a ton about art history while spending time with great people (not to mention eating amazing food!). This trip was incredible. The only regret I have is not spending more time in the program.

I never took a gap year before University but doing the AHA Northern Italy Summer Course gave me all the experiences of a gap year in two weeks. Armed with pretty much no knowledge on Italian Art, I came back home filled with a passion for Renaissance Art and a deeper understanding of Italian Culture. That is what I love about AHA is how incredible the experience is. For two weeks, you are with a group of friends who you barely knew at the beginning of the trip but by the end know very well and are travelling around Italy, taking in the culture and experiencing Art in the flesh. The tutor sessions are fantastic, every tutor you have has their own unique and engaging tutor style as well as reams and reams of information about the Art.Their passion and excitement for the subject gives you a desire to learn more. The social side of the course is something I loved - Going out in the evenings, eating Italian food and meeting like-minded people is something so unique to AHA.
I'd urge anyone with a desire to do something different to sign up for AHA, you will not regret it - I'm already saving for another trip!

I will always remember AHA as one of the best experiences of my life. I learned so much in the three months I was on the program, not only about Art History, but about European culture. The other students and tutors were the most interesting, unique and fun people I have ever met. Also the opportunities we had on this program were amazing. We were able to see things that the average tourist would not have access to. I would honestly give anything to do this program again or even to have another experience like it. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who likes to travel.

Travel is vital. The world I knew before my time at AHA was small, sheltered even. All cookie-cutter houses and theoretical adventure. I hoped to travel, but I was unsure how and where and when. It wasn't until I did some research that I came upon Art History Abroad. There's a strong sense of community between the students and the tutors. Real friendships form among the hours spent meandering through museums and traipsing through unknown cities. Those three months I spent with the wonderful, hilarious, insightful people involved with AHA will remain a benchmark in my life.