I am a research student in the Department of the History of Art writing about the history of Florentine fountain design during the Renaissance. My first acquaintance with "Donatello" goes back to July 1998. I had by then realized that one cannot study Italian art without any knowledge of the language. Frustrated by the earlier attempts to learn Italian on my own and ready to blame myself for not having taken it as an undergraduate subject, I drifted. One day on the usually grey door of my department I discovered a colourful poster offering an intensive Italian language course combined with a series of seminars on the Renaissance art history. I could hardly believe my eyes: this was exactly what I have been searching for. In fact "Donatello" provided a lot more than I had expected. I met a friendly and motivated team of young but experienced teachers whose encouragement and patience soon helped me to overcome the uneasiness about speaking a new language. They organized various social events for the students and participated in them themselves. In this welcoming and vibrant environment I had an opportunity to meet many people whose interests I shared. We participated in almost all aspects of Italian life: socializing, food, music, concerts in the open, theatre, cinema, art exhibitions, trips to sea, visits to old Tuscan cities, and picnics in the countryside. Since then I have taken three more language courses at "Donatello" and spent a lot of time socializing with its staff and students. Italy and its culture now occupy an important place in my life, and I am always happy to think that I was introduced to them through my early and very positive experience with "Donatello".

anatole_tchikine@hotmail.com

"Istituto Donatello" is the perfect place if you want to study Italian language in a familial atmosphere and are interested in deepen your knowledge of Florentine and Italian culture. And there will be lots of fun and relax, too!

kadda_k@hotmail.com

As a law student at the Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen in Germany, I must say that I really enjoyed studying at the Istituto Donatello, specially because of it's relatively small and cosy premises, containing an extremely warm and familial atmosphere. The uncrowded classes of students allowed for effective learning of the Italian language very quickly. My professor was immensely efficient and also helpful in giving us advice as to visiting the various interesting manifestations held in Florence during our free time. And through the many extra activities organised by the school, I was glad to find that it was very easy to make friends with all the students that I encountered there.

martina-e@gmx.de

As a student of History of Art at University College, Dublin, I wanted to combine my art studies with Italian. I had a great time studying at Istituto Donatello; the small class size meant that the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly and it was fun to learn! The Art History teachers were knowledgable and patient and also organised for us great evenings out and trips away. I met people from all over the world and learned lots. I'll be back!!

rachelann@eircom.net

I am now a teacher and translator for japanese here in Florence.
I visited a course of preparation for the CILS 3 at Istituto Donatello, and after that also the perfection course and the course for Art Historians. Istituto Donatello is a school full of life with two important aspects: every single day you have the possibility to speak italian to the teachers, their friends and other students from all over the world; moreover the director of the school is always willing to give you advice and to respect the students' proposals and demands, so everyone can find the best way of studying.
Istituto Donatello is the right place for everyone who wants to study italian with a lot of fun, participating in the lessons and the various activities that are organized for the free time!

yoko@firenze-oltrarno.net