Immerse yourself in the rich artistic heritage of Europe, Italy, and India on a transformative journey guided by our expert tutors. From the iconic landmarks of Italy to the vibrant streets of India, our courses offer a unique blend of academic exploration and cultural immersion.
Join us for an unforgettable journey of discovery and growth
Our Gap Year programs run twice a year, with our 6-week Spring and Autumn Courses in Italy starting respectively in October and January, our 6-week Spring Course in India starting in January, and our 12-week Semester Program in France, UK and Italy starting in September!
Students return having experienced and seen wonderful things. They are refreshed, in love with knowledge, and more confident in their own intellect. Thus, they are perfectly prepared to make the most of their gap year and college beyond.
Our 6-Week Courses: Autumn and Spring
Students immerse themselves in iconic cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice, as well as hidden gems like Bologna and Siena, all guided by our dynamic tutors who bring Italy's vibrant art and culture to life. We use our time fully to utterly imbibe all that Italy has to offer. This is a truly comprehensive cultural experience.
These ambitious programs provide a deep dive into the art world, the range of art, architecture, and sculpture spans from the ancient world to the present day. Along the way, we delve into philosophy, literature, political history, economics, and much more. Additionally, participants will experience wine tasting, opera, cooking, drawing, rudimentary Italian, concerts, and even football.
The 6-Week Course - Spring
Discover the wonders of India on our transformative 6-week Gap Year course, exploring vibrant cities like Bengaluru, Mysuru, Kochi, Madurai, Mumbai, Jaipur, New Delhi, and Varanasi. You’ll delve into India’s rich history, diverse religions, and stunning landscapes. But you won’t just be an observer; you’ll actively engage in traditional Indian crafts and practices, including beadwork, dance, and cooking.
The 12-Week Semester Course
For an even broader adventure, our 12-week Semester program runs from September to December, expanding your journey across Europe, including the UK and France. In the first six weeks, students explore art, architecture, and culture in the UK and France before heading to Montepulciano, a charming hilltop town in Tuscany, for a two-week intensive Italian language course.
Participants will engage with Europe’s artistic landscape while visiting significant cultural sites, gaining insight into artistic movements from ancient to contemporary times.
All programs celebrate Italy’s and Europe incredible culture, featuring exclusive visits to iconic landmark such as the Sistine Chapel and St. Mark’s Cathedral. Each experience is unique, filled with creativity and discovery.
Creative workshops in painting, writing, and more let students express themselves artistically in small groups, guided by friendly and knowledgeable tutors who provide personalized support.
Join us for a transformative journey that blends art, culture, and unforgettable experiences!
Reviews For Art History Abroad Gap Year Programs (6 to 12 weeks) (5)
Art History Abroad was an...
Reviewed
on Mar/01/2025
Art History Abroad was an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience I^aEURTMm so grateful to have had. In just six jam-packed weeks I traveled to Rome, Siena, Florence, Bologna, Castelfranco, and Venice with a group of like-minded gappers and tutors. Cultural activities included painting Venetian masks, witnessing glass-blowing on Murano island, cooking traditional Italian cuisine, and marbling paper. We explored the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Uffizi, Pompeii, Ravenna Mosaics, and Guggenheim. We studied the magnum opuses of Michelangelo, da Vinci, Raphael, Donatello, Bernini, and Botticelli, among countless others, in situ. We learned to recognize the tell-tale signs of Gothic art^aEUR"gold leaf, pointed arches^aEUR"as opposed to that of the High Renaissance^aEUR"realist muscled figures in complicated compositions^aEUR"which we in turn could differentiate from the chiaroscuro and dramatic motion of the Baroque. Perhaps most special was when we, still rubbing sleep dust from our eyes in the wee hours of morning before opening time, watched the sunrise over St. Peter^aEURTMs basilica and took a guided tour of the expansive Vatican museums and fresco-filled Sistine Chapel.
Art History Abroad was an...
Reviewed
on Mar/01/2025
Art History Abroad was an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience I^aEURTMm so grateful to have had. In just six jam-packed weeks I traveled to Rome, Siena, Florence, Bologna, Castelfranco, and Venice with a group of like-minded gappers and tutors. Cultural activities included painting Venetian masks, witnessing glass-blowing on Murano island, cooking traditional Italian cuisine, and marbling paper. We explored the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Uffizi, Pompeii, Ravenna Mosaics, and Guggenheim. We studied the magnum opuses of Michelangelo, da Vinci, Raphael, Donatello, Bernini, and Botticelli, among countless others, in situ. We learned to recognize the tell-tale signs of Gothic art^aEUR"gold leaf, pointed arches^aEUR"as opposed to that of the High Renaissance^aEUR"realist muscled figures in complicated compositions^aEUR"which we in turn could differentiate from the chiaroscuro and dramatic motion of the Baroque. Perhaps most special was when we, still rubbing sleep dust from our eyes in the wee hours of morning before opening time, watched the sunrise over St. Peter^aEURTMs basilica and took a guided tour of the expansive Vatican museums and fresco-filled Sistine Chapel.
Where to start with how...
Reviewed
on Dec/09/2024
Where to start with how much I came to adore Art History Abroad during the 12 week course? To begin, I would say that you don^aEURTMt have to be an art historian or planning on majoring in art history to have a fantastic time in the program. As long as you love learning and are excited by museums and historical sites, you are perfect for this trip! However, as amazing as the tutors were, with their incredibly curated lesson plans and museum tours, I would say that the learning isn^aEURTMt what makes this experience the best- it was the people I met. I made some of the greatest memories of my life during this program, and met friends I know I will never lose. The experiences you get to be apart of during this trip are life-changing, I don^aEURTMt think I will ever get over visiting the Vatican on a private tour or being in St. Mark^aEURTMs Basilica completely alone, and those are just two of the wonderful opportunities AHA offers! The tutors become your best friends, and the fellow students become family. I can^aEURTMt recommend this program highly enough- it^aEURTMs a fantastic gap year opportunity I would do a thousand more times if I could.
I had a wonderful experience...
Reviewed
on Dec/09/2024
I had a wonderful experience with AhA.
As a non native English speaker I was afraid of the language barrier but it turn out that this program help me improve significantly and that I was able to create really special and life changing contact with other students.
This program really get you no matter if you^aEURTMre a expert in art and history or a total beginner like I was.
I was able to learn so much and create memorable memories.
At first I didn^aEURTMt believe it but after this 6 weeks, I can say it without hesitation our AhA groupe became like a family to me.
Coming out of high school...
Reviewed
on Oct/25/2024
Coming out of high school, I felt severe academic burnout. I used to love learning but felt anxious whenever I thought about starting college classes. My gap year counselor showed me AHA, and I thought the experiential learning aspect might help me get excited again. I had taken advanced art classes, but history has always been my least favorite subject. I took a leap of faith that art history might be different for me. Art History Abroad ended up being the most amazing trip I have ever and probably will ever experience. The tutors are all incredible humans (Ed, Flo, Scarlett, and Jess, to name a few), and their lessons were more engaging than any teacher I have had. They truly cared about ensuring we were safe, happy, and engaged. I still text and visit my friends from AHA all the time and went on to travel with one of them for the rest of my gap year. I genuinely cannot recommend the semester program enough (or any AHA program). The memories you make are unforgettable. I felt energized and excited to learn when I got to university the following fall. I now minor in art history and still use the lessons I learned on my trip. If you are considering going on an AHA program, DO IT!!!
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Art History Abroad was an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience I^aEURTMm so grateful to have had. In just six jam-packed weeks I traveled to Rome, Siena, Florence, Bologna, Castelfranco, and Venice with a group of like-minded gappers and tutors. Cultural activities included painting Venetian masks, witnessing glass-blowing on Murano island, cooking traditional Italian cuisine, and marbling paper. We explored the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Uffizi, Pompeii, Ravenna Mosaics, and Guggenheim. We studied the magnum opuses of Michelangelo, da Vinci, Raphael, Donatello, Bernini, and Botticelli, among countless others, in situ. We learned to recognize the tell-tale signs of Gothic art^aEUR"gold leaf, pointed arches^aEUR"as opposed to that of the High Renaissance^aEUR"realist muscled figures in complicated compositions^aEUR"which we in turn could differentiate from the chiaroscuro and dramatic motion of the Baroque. Perhaps most special was when we, still rubbing sleep dust from our eyes in the wee hours of morning before opening time, watched the sunrise over St. Peter^aEURTMs basilica and took a guided tour of the expansive Vatican museums and fresco-filled Sistine Chapel.