Safety in Siena

From spending time in Siena, Italy, I have learned thus far that there can indeed be safety and comfort in pushing one's boundaries. After all, study abroad students leave their homes and universities in search of new experiences, language acquisition, cultural immersion, and to generally open themselves more universally. We want to absorb all that we encounter during our time in foreign places and make them a bit less foreign to us in the process of becoming better thinkers.

Italy was my ideal choice. From the knowledge I had of this country and its people, Italian culture is the pool I wanted to dive into and engage in. Picking the right city to study is not the determining factor of a study abroad experience because we make our own experiences. It's not a make-or-break moment, but choosing something that suits you can go a long way carrying you in the direction you want to go. Siena is the perfect combination of city life (the mix of both Italian and foreign students, restaurants, museums, bars, cafés, winding streets to wander down (and up!), and parks) and small-town life. You will get to know the baristas who make your espresso each morning (or 5 times a day) and see photos of the baker's hometown and children. You'll become a regular at the nearby grocery store and become a guide for struggling visitors of Siena.

Despite (or perhaps in spite of) Siena's proximity to Florence and plethora of attractions (museums and churches and fountains, oh my!) it is sufficiently off the beaten path. The language immersion here is unique. Siena has its own dialect, which is a blast to learn and engage with. There is a sufficient English presence here so as not to be stuck in any emergency, but it is fairly Italian concentrated. This city really pushes students to practice their language skills and actively engage with the city they're in.

From my experience in Italy, Siena is atypical in the sense that the people here are a bit more reserved. They have their groups and refrain from being too forward or outwardly friendly. This is likely the result of Siena's unique history of contrade, 17 territorial groups within the city walls with histories spanning hundreds of years. What I've found so far in this city is that showing any interest in a person and at least trying to engage, broken Italian and all, will result in warmth and invitation (sometimes tours of private museums or invites to Beatles cover band concerts).

The feeling of safety comes in a muted welcome. There is no discomfort brought on by unwarranted discourse and any engagement on your part is appreciated. Siena offers plenty to do, with public movie screenings and festivities (preparation for the Palio!), yet it simultaneously provides the chance to join the family-style culture here. Being in Siena has already been conducive for my involvement with those around me and lucrative for language acquisition. This city has been a very supportive place and I'm looking forward to getting to know it better. 

Eve Litvak, Brandeis

Summer 2014