Location
Multiple Locations +3
  • England
    • London
  • France
    • Paris
  • Italy
    • Florence
    • Venice
    • Rome
    • Naples
    • Siena
Length
4 - 12 weeks
Program Tags
Arts Cultural Immersion Hands-On Learning Instructor Language Immersion Music Post-High School Study Abroad
Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans
Health & Safety

Program Details

Activities
City Exploring Sightseeing
Timeframe
Fall
Housing
Apartment Host Family Hotel
Primary Language
English
Age Min.
17
Age Max
23

Pricing

Starting Price
26000
Price Details
Included in the fees - All accommodation and breakfast, tuition in small groups, all travel and air travel between cities on the course, all transport when concerned with teaching, the additional courses in Tuscany (language, cookery, drawing, film), all museum entrance fees, notes and reading lists.

Items not included in the fees - connecting flights from domicile to UK and back, flights to and from Italy, lunch and supper, spending money, travel/repatriation/cancellation insurance.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Equipment Some Equipment Some Meals Tour Guide Transportation Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Some Meals Travel Insurance
What's Not Included (Extra)

Flights to and from Italy
Lunch and supper
Travel Insurance, repatriation or cancellation insurance

Mar 15, 2023
Mar 22, 2023
98 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Starting college in the spring or taking a Gap Year? That is the question.

We have the answer. Why not kick start your time doing something worthwhile with this amazing leap into European culture. We begin with two weeks in London, where the course focuses on art, power and the nature of European politics. It then moves to Paris and the South of France to study modernism. Next we move to the beautiful hilltop town of Montepulciano in Tuscany for two weeks of cultural immersion through Italian language learning and a home-stay. We also take this time to study other aspects of Italian culture, such as cookery, film and drawing. The idea is to use our time well and develop new skills. The Semester Program then joins the autumn Gap Course for an in depth exploration of Italy and European civilisation as described next.
You will be able to visit dome of themost beautiful places in the world: Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples.
Truly a wonderfully unique experience.

Video and Photos

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.

Program Highlights

  • Private viewings of museums and basilicas
  • Stay with a host family in Tuscany
  • Climb Vesuvius to see the greatest view of the Bay of Naples
  • Traditional Tuscan cooking classes
  • Visit 3 countries in 3 months

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 24 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Housing 4.8
  • Support 5
  • Fun 4.95
  • Value 4.95
  • Safety 4.9
Showing 1 - 8 of 24 reviews
Default avatar
Charlotte
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

AHA Semester Course

AHA is the one gap year program that truly allows students to immerse in culture and learn powerful lessons in history and life. Tutors form real, lasting connections with both students and the history being taught. I did AHA the fall semester of my gap year in 2021 and know the friendships I made will last me through life. The program completely changed me. I met some of the most influential people in the field of art history, saw history in a way I never could have previously, and was allowed to experience the true culture of every place we traveled to. I saw the Sistine chapel completely empty at 6 in the morning, ate incredible meals in a small vineyard outside of San Gimignano, saw the ceiling of San Marco Basilica light up at night, and shared unforgettable conversation with friends and locals. I’m left with friends who are family, tutors I can always reach out to, and a confidence that only could have been drawn from living the way I did. The people involved with AHA are wonderfully unique and intelligent individuals, and any person willing to be open to the full experience will grow.

Pros
  • Access to art and culture in an entirely unique manner
  • Lifelong connections made
  • Experiencing several different paces of life
Cons
  • A detailed schedule is not usually provided, but I saw this as a pro as it allowed for a present mindset and adaption to each day.
30 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Claudia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Art History Abroad

It is challenging to articulate the extent to which Art History Abroad shaped my gap year and the time after it. If you are ready to absorb as much knowledge, culture, and joy as possible, Art History Abroad is the program for you. The tutors are excited about their disciplines and even more excited to share it with the students. The friends I’ve made are still some of my closest friends, and hold such a special place in my life. From private tours of galleries in London, sketching in the hilly landscape of Tuscany, and spending days walking through Rome’s history-steeped streets, it is truly an experience to treasure for a lifetime.

Pros
  • The people (tutors, peers, etc.)
  • Fantastic opportunities to view world-famous Art
  • Locations
28 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Katie Finn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

far more than pretty paintings

These are the truths I came away from my course with:
The art I saw on this course pales in comparison to the people I got to see it all with. Every church I walked through was only divine because of those who taught me to look up and smile at the stars on the ceiling. The joy in art is allowing yourself to be moved, even if it means crying in crowded galleries. Living a good life revolves around allowing yourself to love those around you, and letting them love you. Strangers you have very little in common with can become your most beloved friends.

AHA gave me a million gifts, but these are the ones most precious to me. This course is beyond worth it.

Pros
  • incredibly talented and caring tutors
  • environment is conducive to self-discovery/reflection
  • you leave with a second family
Cons
  • you'll miss going to galleries every day
  • AT LEAST one pair of your shoes will fall apart from all the walking
41 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Eliza
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

1000% recommend

AHA was an incredibly valuable experience for my education and growth as a person. I was given so many exciting opportunities throughout the semester, and ended up with not only a greater appreciation of art and culture, but some of my best friends. The access to the European art world this program provides is unmatched. I was able to experience so much that I would have never thought possible. Additionally, there was a great balance of learning and fun. I found we had the freedom to explore cities on our own and experience the world as young adults, while also being given plenty opportunities to learn. I would recommend AHA to anyone looking for a different kind of educational semester centered around immersion and first hand experiences.

37 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lillian
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

the best decision of my life

Art History Abroad surpassed all of my already high expectations. As an introvert, I was worried that I would be overwhelmed with the fast paced nature and social elements of the course. I was happily proved wrong. Instead of being overwhelmed, I became more comfortable and outgoing. The course is perfect for people who love learning without the pressure of exams. I still find myself using the skills I was taught, even now that I have returned home. An experience like this does not end when it’s over; it stays with you. I cannot recommend this program enough. Not just from an interest in travel and art history standpoint, but also the impact it had on my self discovery.

Pros
  • knowledgeable and caring tutors
  • unique museum experiences
  • always incredible food
Cons
  • often walking up hills
  • goes by too fast
  • missing the friends you make when it’s over
43 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lillian
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

best decision I ever made

A year ago I would never have been brave enough to do something like this, but I am beyond grateful that I did. I worried my anxiety would hinder my ability to enjoy the program because of its fast paced nature and many sociable elements, but I was so wrong. Even beyond their incredible teaching, the tutors were incredible supports throughout the entire course. Instead of being overwhelmed, I became more excited, engaged, and extroverted. This program is an incredible experience not just for art history education and cultural immersion, but self discovery.

Pros
  • The tutors are not only intelligent, but caring and helpful.
  • I learned in a manner that the knowledge actually stuck with me.
  • I met the most wonderful people I have ever known.
Cons
  • Lots of hills and walking up them
  • The pain of leaving and not wanting it to end
45 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Isobel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I couldn’t think of a better way to spend 6 weeks on my Gap Year!!

I can honestly say that my 6 weeks with AHA on the autumn gap year was one of the best experiences of my life. It would be almost impossible for me to pinpoint one highlight of the trip because every single day was packed with so many exciting activities, exploring new cities, their histories and culture.

To give an idea of some of the incredible things we saw I will outline some of my personal highlights from my favourite city: Florence. I loved visiting the Medici chapel, the San Marco convent, the contemporary exhibition at the Strozzi Palace and watching the sunset from the hill of San Minato. But this is just Florence!! To stress how much these highlights don’t even scratch the surface of what we saw, I am almost certain that everyone on the course would come up with different highlights of each city and would undoubtably struggle (as I clearly have) to pinpoint just one best thing about the trip.

As well as learning loads about the History of Art in each city, we had the opportunity to learn so many other things about the cultural history of each city. We went to the opera in Naples, spent a day learning about the Romantic poets in Rome, took part in an amazing gold leaf workshop in Siena, learned how to make pasta and do paper marbling in Florence and saw Murano glass making and rowed gondola’s in Venice. Our evening spent in St Marks in Venice was also completely mind bogglingly magical.

I also have to mention how special the tutors are to AHA. Their breadth and depth of knowledge and passion for their subjects had a huge influence on me, and transformed the way I think about, approach, and talk about art. They were truly at the core of the group. The way they taught us was always full of heaps of knowledge and was delivered with bounds of energy which was truly inspiring. We were also all really encouraged by the tutors and by one another to think for ourselves, discuss our ideas, and respond to the things we saw in our own way. Loads of my friends would leave museums and galleries with drawings, paintings, poetry, written responses, photographs and even songs, which responded to works we saw, which was a really lovely thing to see. Everyone learnt a great deal, and whether people had known anything about Art History before or not, it was really lovely to see everyone’s confidence grow and ideas flourish as the trip went by.

AHA is definitely a family and everyone got on so well. Almost every evening all the students and tutors ate dinner together which was a really lovely way to end of the day. And aside from the invaluable volume of things we learned, we all made some incredible friends - anyone who witnessed any of our goodbyes to one another on the last night would see how special the bonds we made were!! I have no doubt in my mind that despite how quickly the trip flew by, the memories and friendships I made will last a life time.

I can’t thank AHA enough for helping to catalyse a passion for History of Art as a subject as well as providing me with the academic confidence and excitement to launch myself into the many other areas of Art History I have yet to explore. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend 6 weeks on my gap year!!

45 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
William
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing European Tour

The Art History Abroad Autumn European Gap Semester Program is a wonderfully enriching intellectual experience for gap year students. The Program's knowledgeable tutors teach the history of Europe not through dry lectures but through engaging and immersive "sessions" in which students get to interact with history in a first-hand manner through the art and architecture that they encounter. Art History Abroad also teaches students how to navigate life away from home effectively. The Gap Semester fosters a spirit of maturity in all Art History Abroad students. Aside from the appeal of the Gap Semester with respect to the growth of students, the 12 weeks students and tutors spend together in Europe are unbelievably enjoyable.

96 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers