Wonderful school, memorable experience in Italy
Some years ago I decided to spend vacation time in Italy with the goal of improving my knowledge of the Italian language and culture. I wanted a balance between having structured and free ... Подробнее
Wonderful school, memorable experience in Italy
Some years ago I decided to spend vacation time in Italy with the goal of improving my knowledge of the Italian language and culture. I wanted a balance between having structured and free time and decided to look at some of the language schools that are found in Italy’s smaller cities. Through research and recommendations I came across the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci in Siena which, indeed, turned out to satisfy all my needs on all fronts. The Scuola offers a family-type atmosphere that you feel as soon as you walk into the reception area. Everyone is friendly and welcoming. I took a language test the first day and was placed in a class that I felt was commiserate with my abilities.
Before leaving home, I had arranged living accommodations through the school, and these turned out to be in a beautiful apartment in the city center. The school itself is located on a side street right off a main piazza. It’s an easy walk to Siena’s main cultural attractions as well as to stores, restaurants, a large supermarket and cafes. It is also close to the main bus station, from which it is easy to make day trips to Florence and other cities in Tuscany and beyond. The train station is also nearby.
My program at the school involved language lessons in the morning and my choice of activities in the afternoon. I found the instructors experienced and enthusiastic. They use a wide range of teaching tools, including texts, articles, and videos. Students were from all over the world and all ages. I was happy to find many adults and developed friendships with a number of them which continue to this day. Conversation was encouraged immediately and reinforced with both written and oral exercises.
The afternoon activities ranged from art historical tours of museums and churches to wine and cheese tastings to a trip underground to see Siena’s amazing medieval aqueduct. On weekends, there is almost always an opportunity to join a scheduled tour of another town, again arranged through the school. Among the places I visited were Volterra, San Gimignano, Montalcino, Montepulciano, and San Galgano. I was also happy to have free time to continue exploring Siena’s many nooks and crannies. The city is breathtakingly beautiful, amazingly well preserved and has a profound local culture that culminates every summer in the exciting Palio horse race.
In all, I got out of my experience at the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci exactly what I hoped for: a better command of Italian, a more profound understanding of Italian culture, enduring friendships, and a real taste of “la dolce vita.” I can wholeheartedly recommend this school to anyone who wants a positive and memorable experience in Italy.