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CET Siena: Identity Abroad

CULTURAL CLIMATE
ACCOMMODATIONS
HEALTH & DIET
RESOURCES

Welcome to Siena

Understanding identity abroad is important—regardless of whether or not you think it will play a role in your own experience. While we strive to create and maintain programs that support students of all races, religions, abilities, gender identities, and sexual orientations, you also play a crucial role in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for your peers navigating aspects of their identit(ies) in a new country. The information and resources on this page serve as a starting point to help you understand experiences you or your CET classmates may encounter while abroad.

Cultural Climate

Race & Ethnicity

Generally speaking, Siena itself is a very open-minded city and students seldom report contradictory experiences. Due to the increase in the immigrant population in recent years, resentment against non-European communities within Italy has grown. As a result, students may hear some blunt opinions while out and about or on the news from outspoken far-right politicians. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Asian communities (especially those of Chinese descent) have experienced an uptick in racial discrimination and comments. In many cases, students of color have reported that they are first considered American before their racial/ethnic identity comes into play, if it is considered at all. This can be a very different experience from the saliency students of color feel in respect to their racial/ethnic identities back in the US.

LGBTQ

While it is always evolving, Italy on the whole can still be reluctant to fully embrace LGBTQ individuals and issues. However, Siena itself (and bigger Italian cities in general) is an open, international city where LGBTQ individuals are welcomed. Though same-sex civil unions are recognized by law as of May 2016, Italy still lags behind other countries on things like same-sex marriage, which is not yet officially recognized. There are several local LGBTQ community groups that students can reach out to, and on-site staff can provide more information upon request. 

Gender

Generally speaking, Italian culture often reinforces traditional gender norms and roles. The local society is patriarchal, and the objectification of women by men is not an uncommon occurrence. This is sometimes apparent and reinforced by pop culture and advertising. 

Italy is not yet fully accepting of gender diversity on the national scale, but gender diverse individuals are usually more accepted and comfortable in bigger cities like Siena. The use of more gender inclusive pronouns and language is becoming more common in everyday communication.

Religion

Though Catholicism is the predominant religion in Italy, prejudice against other religions is often less prevalent than in the United States. Students that wish to practice their faiths abroad should have no issue in doing so. A list of religious services is made available to students in the virtual CET Center in Canvas and during orientation.

Before visiting religious sites, such as churches, students should ensure their shoulders and knees are covered. This is to show respect for the religious space and practices. Dressing inappropriately may result in denied access.

Cost of Living

Relative to the US, Siena’s cost of living is generally lower for many things (e.g., groceries, healthcare, etc.). Compared to the rest of Europe, the city’s cost of living can be considered average. Past students have mentioned that establishing and adhering to a budget at the beginning of the term was a strategy that helped manage any financial stress. Check out a budget sheet to get an idea of what life in Siena might look like financially.

Accommodations Abroad

CET makes every effort to offer accommodations comparable to those of your home institution. Disclosing early helps us to make proper preparations and work with you to determine if a program will be a good fit. We recommend that you use the following details to inform your decisions and conversations with your Student Services Coordinator. 

ACCESS in ACADEMICS

Day-to-Day

Students typically attend classes for 1.5 to 6 hours a day, Monday through Thursday. There may be one or two Friday mandatory classes during a term, which are typically site visits for a course. Classes have between 5 to 15 students on average. Students that choose to take one semester’s worth of Italian will likely have an intensive 8-week course during the first or second half of the term. Students that choose to take two semesters’ worth of Italian will take intensive language classes all 15 weeks of the program. 

Services available for students with documented need: Low-distraction test environment; extra time on exams; modified deadlines and seating; note-taker; exam reader; audio recordings of lectures; permission for service animals on campus; syllabi/readings/assignments in advance; a computer to take exams; sighted companion; mobility orientation to campus.

Classrooms

Classes are held at the CET Center on Via Montanini, one of the city center’s main streets. This gives students convenient access to Piazza del Campo, the bus station, and the train station. The building is accessible for those who use wheelchairs and has four classrooms, a small student lounge, wifi, and elevator access to all floors.

Out-of-Class Activities

CET occasionally plans mandatory academic activities and optional trips to nearby sites and other cities after class and on weekends. Excursions may involve urban walking, rural hiking, use of public transportation, and/or going up and down stairs.

Itinerary modifications and accommodations can be made for students with documented need. Transportation can be arranged as necessary, and excused absences are provided for mandatory excursions that are inaccessible due to a disability. 

ACCESS IN HOUSING

Your Home Abroad

All apartments and homestays differ in layout and location but all are within a 25-minute walk through the medieval historical city center to the CET Center, where classes are held. Apartments and homes are equipped with basic appliances and furnishings, many of which are smaller when compared to those in the USA. Housing can be wheelchair accessible if requested in advance. 

Utilities are highly regulated in Italy. For example, a law states that the heat should be set to 19°C/66.2°F (+/- 1°C). Students should plan accordingly and bring clothing that will keep them warm while inside.

Housing Assignments

Students are typically assigned to apartments according to their housing preference form. Apartment configurations vary but can include mix-gender and same-gender setups. Rooms within the apartment are same-gender. The form also includes questions to help accommodate the needs of gender diverse students. 

Rooms are typically shared, but a single room in a shared apartment, with a private shower or toilet, may be available for students with documented need if requested in advance. Homestay students are provided rooms of up to double occupancy (shared with a CET classmate) and share common spaces with their local host family. Homestay students can store food in the fridge and in dedicated spaces, but are not permitted to use the kitchen on their own.

Around Siena

Due to Siena’s hilly, cobblestone streets, the city is not easily navigable by individualities with disabilities. Sidewalks are not common in the city center, and streets are often uneven, steep, and narrow. All public offices, restaurants, museums, and schools are required by law to be accessible to those with disabilities, but in practice, many private businesses are not. Though certainly not impossible, students with mobility issues should be prepared to face challenges in navigating the city. 

"Everyone here at CET Siena has been so amazing, answering all my questions and taking care of me in ways they know best. I felt comfortable to talk to them if I ever had an issue."

— Shruti Elango, University of Virginia | Summer student
Explore Siena on the
Student Voices Blog

Health & Diet

As a part of your program fee, you are enrolled in GeoBlue health insurance for the entire duration of your program.  Learn more about GeoBlue and how we operate programs with health and safety in mind. 

Health & Medicine

During orientation, on-site staff provide students with basic information and recommendations for seeing a doctor and buying medicine. On-site staff are also available to help advise students seeking health services throughout their time abroad. 

Students should request enough prescription medication to last for the duration of their stay in Italy. This also includes eyeglasses and contact lenses, as well as birth control—certain brands are not available in Italy. Shipping medication to Italy (or even sourcing it locally) can sometimes prove difficult and time consuming with delivery times of up to weeks or months. 

Keeping Fit in Siena

Siena offers many opportunities to stay fit while abroad, including beautiful countryside runs outside the city walls, or on the path atop Medici Fortress, not far from the CET Center. Students must obtain a medical certificate to sign up for the gym, with membership typically for 55 EUR/month or 150 EUR/3 months. It should be noted that these gyms also usually have a one-time membership fee and are much smaller than those in the US. We also have a list of gyms in the virtual CET Center in Canvas. 

Have a particular sport you’re interested in? Staff can help you find a way to play while in Siena.

Managing Mental Health

Upon request, students have access to English-speaking mental health professionals. Students should expect to pay for these services up front and be reimbursed by Geoblue, the health insurance that covers CET students for the duration of their programs abroad.

Dietary Restrictions

Vegetarian and gluten-free diets are easily accommodated in Siena, and staff can provide a gluten-free translation guide to those who need one. Vegan diets are increasingly easier accommodate—though meals in restaurants will most likely need to be specially ordered. 

Resources from Alumni

Perspective pieces

These are alumni-written essays that reflect upon how their own identity affected their time abroad (both good and bad) and what it was like to navigate another culture in their position. We encourage you to read these to better understand what studying abroad in Italy could be like for you or your future peers. 

Are you a CET Siena alumnus? Consider telling us about your time abroad.

BLOG Posts

This is a curated list of blog posts chosen specifically to provide context for life abroad. Posts here may cover culture shock, diversity, daily life and workload, etc. To see all posts from students in Siena, head to the Student Voices blog. 

ITALY Alumni Insight

In final evaluations, we ask students how their identities affected their experience abroad. The following are a few select quotes from recent program evaluations to help you understand what life in Italy may be like for you or your future peers.

"Being the only Indian person on the trip was jarring because I was scared of racism since I physically looked like I did not belong—but I was surprised and happy to see the diversity here in Siena."
"As a woman, the men were much more forward than I was used to. As an American, people weren’t that fond of us but it wasn’t anything unbearable."
"During my time abroad, I found myself more connected with my religious identity as an Episcopalian. I loved learning about the religious meaning behind works in my art history class, and our visits to churches were very meaningful to me."
"I came to Siena a bit sheltered, having never traveled outside the country without my family. I have gained so much confidence and made to get out of my comfort zone a couple of times, which was absolutely necessary and important for my development here."
"Being Jewish gave me an outside perspective on the overwhelming Catholic imagery that engulfs much of Siena and Italy. I found myself eager to learn more about this unfamiliar culture and be appreciative of my differences."
"There were very few people of my ethnicity abroad (in the program as well as in the city). Sometimes I found it hard because not many people could relate to some of the hardships I faced abroad. However, overall I feel it made me a stronger person."
"Being the only Indian person on the trip was jarring because I was scared of racism since I physically looked like I did not belong—but I was surprised and happy to see the diversity here in Siena."
"As a woman, the men were much more forward than I was used to. As an American, people weren’t that fond of us but it wasn’t anything unbearable."
"During my time abroad, I found myself more connected with my religious identity as an Episcopalian. I loved learning about the religious meaning behind works in my art history class, and our visits to churches were very meaningful to me."
"I came to Siena a bit sheltered, having never traveled outside the country without my family. I have gained so much confidence and made to get out of my comfort zone a couple of times, which was absolutely necessary and important for my development here."
"Being Jewish gave me an outside perspective on the overwhelming Catholic imagery that engulfs much of Siena and Italy. I found myself eager to learn more about this unfamiliar culture and be appreciative of my differences."
"There were very few people of my ethnicity abroad (in the program as well as in the city). Sometimes I found it hard because not many people could relate to some of the hardships I faced abroad. However, overall I feel it made me a stronger person."
"Being the only Indian person on the trip was jarring because I was scared of racism since I physically looked like I did not belong—but I was surprised and happy to see the diversity here in Siena."
"As a woman, the men were much more forward than I was used to. As an American, people weren’t that fond of us but it wasn’t anything unbearable."
"During my time abroad, I found myself more connected with my religious identity as an Episcopalian. I loved learning about the religious meaning behind works in my art history class, and our visits to churches were very meaningful to me."
"I came to Siena a bit sheltered, having never traveled outside the country without my family. I have gained so much confidence and made to get out of my comfort zone a couple of times, which was absolutely necessary and important for my development here."
"Being Jewish gave me an outside perspective on the overwhelming Catholic imagery that engulfs much of Siena and Italy. I found myself eager to learn more about this unfamiliar culture and be appreciative of my differences."
"There were very few people of my ethnicity abroad (in the program as well as in the city). Sometimes I found it hard because not many people could relate to some of the hardships I faced abroad. However, overall I feel it made me a stronger person."

TALK TO ALUMNI

Chat with alumni about their experiences abroad. Once you start an application, your CET Compass account will give you access to the following resources: 

  • Alumni Support List: A directory of students who have volunteered to chat about their experiences abroad in Italy.
  • Identity Abroad Support Network: A group of students who have volunteered to discuss their identity-related experiences in Italy. This is a volunteer-based program that started in 2019. Volunteers can also opt to have their contact information kept privately by CET staff and only shared when certain lived experiences are asked about. 

Don’t see anyone listed for the Identity Abroad Support Network? Call CET for more information and resources. Consider joining after your program to support other minority students abroad. 

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