Semester on the Italian Coast - Sant'Anna Institute

This semester in Sorrento, Italy was truly the best time I have ever had in my entire life. The school and dorms were located right onto the Amalfi Coast, with views of Mt. Vesuvius and the sparkling blue ocean. The classes were super interesting, with options like History of the Italian Mafia, History of Italian Cinema, Food and Culture, and so much more. Every morning I would attend class, then walk the beautiful streets of Sorrento to visit local pizza, sandwich, and coffee shops. Living in Sorrento truly felt like living in a movie with the amazing location and best people all around. Because of the close-knit school environment, I was able to make lifelong friends with other students and locals. It also gave students many opportunities to be involved in student life, like being on the communications team or as a campus ambassador. I truly recommend this school to anyone who is looking to go abroad.

Studying abroad in Sorrento, Italy, changed me more than I expected. I knew I’d see cool places, make friends, learn about history, and eat good food, but I didn’t realize how much it would shift the way I think, live, and handle life in general. The city of Sorrento itself was perfect; it was compact, relaxed, and packed with sights and history. It was easier for me to settle in and feel like I actually lived there because it wasn't as touristy as some of the larger cities. I became familiar with the neighborhood stores and restaurants and saw the same people every day and strolled down the same streets. It was genuine. One of the most important lessons I learned from this experience was how much simpler travel is once you're in Europe. Weekend travel to other countries and cities was made easy by trains, buses, and low-cost airlines. I visited locations I never would have imagined visiting at this stage of my life, like Zakynthos, Greece; Split, Croatia; Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Rome; and the Dolomites, and it made me want to stay longer. In addition to the amazing food and travel, I also went through significant personal transformation. I grew more self-sufficient. I developed my ability to solve problems independently, get around in new situations, and become mature; I have more self-confidence now, grew my global network, and adjusted when plans didn't work out. I grew more comfortable going it alone, whether it was ordering food in broken Italian or touring a new city. Another highlight was getting to know people from around the world.I'll keep my global network of classmates, roommates, and locals with me. After my trip to Sorrento, I felt more capable and excited about the world. If I could, I would return right away. Go ahead and study abroad if you're still unsure. It will test you in unexpected ways and shape you in ways you weren't aware you needed. You'll discover how to solve problems independently, adjust when plans don't work out, and accept discomfort. Somehow, you'll learn something from encountering people with different perspectives, eating foods you can't pronounce, and getting lost in unfamiliar places It goes beyond simply visiting interesting locations. It's about developing the ability to live in the world with greater confidence, independence, and a broader outlook. Studying overseas is a reset, not just a vacation from your daily schedule. When you return, you have a slightly different perspective on everything, including yourself.

Life during my semester on the Italian coast was truly sweet. The thing I loved most about my experience was the whole town and ambience of Sorrento. Living just 2 minutes away from a beautiful, warm beach and getting to know several Sorrento locals, I fell in love with the town, food, people, and way of life. I loved how friendly everyone was and how much the Italians loved Sant'Anna students, as well as the Sorrento culture of rest and relaxation. I enjoyed morning runs by the beach, post-dinner gelato, and sunset swims with all of my friends. The Sant'Anna staff and the friendliness of the Italian locals created a phenomenal abroad experience that I would recommend to anyone who is looking for this type of experience. The CIS abroad staff were also extremely supportive with both applying and preparing for the program, as well as adjusting and enjoying life in Sorrento. The program included a cooking class, where I made homemade ravioli and tiramisu, as well as a welcome pool party and farewell dinner. CIS also included multiple excursions such as a boat tour of the Amalfi coast, a food tour in Naples, a kayak tour to Bagni Regina Giovana, and trip to the ancient city of Matera, making my experience abroad unforgettable.