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.

Studying abroad in Sorrento Italy is amazing in itself but studying abroad with CIS makes it a completely different experience. I had many friends in the Sant'Anna program but not in CIS and they were all jealous of the amazing things we got to do. From pizza parties to a boat trip along the almalfi coast CIS truly gave us the full experience. Having an amazing contact like Frankie made my parents much more comfortable about me living in a foreign country. We had access to doctors that spoke english as well as home visits which really made the difference.

Studying at Sant’Anna Institute through CIS Abroad was an unforgettable experience. I lived in the school dorms, located on the beautiful seaside of Sorrento, Italy. Sorrento has the charm of the Amalfi Coast, with less crowds and tourism. In my classes I studied archeology, volcanology, marine biology, and human rights. We went on amazing field trips such as snorkeling, hiking Mount Vesuvius, and exploring the ancient ruins of Pompeii. In my free time, I swam and read by the beach, which was just a 5 minute walk away from the school. CIS abroad provided incredible excursions throughout the 4 month stay. We experienced cooking classes, kayaking, a street food tour, and even staying in a luxury cave in the third oldest city in the world! Everyone at both Sant’Anna and CIS Abroad was welcoming, helpful, and kind. They truly care about your well being and happiness. I couldn’t recommend this program more. Go to Sorrento, you won’t regret it!

I absolutely loved every single second of studying abroad at Santanna Institute in Sorrento, Italy. Through their immersive program, I was able to attend weekly cultural immersion events and really dive into the local community. Santanna Institute has classes Monday-Thursday and encourages students to travel safely on the weekends. With this opportunity, I was able to travel almost every single weekend making my time abroad just that more magical. Not to mention I met some of my best friends and made memories I know will stay close to my heart forever. My best advice to someone who is thinking about studying abroad is to just do it, I can guarantee that you will not regret it.

I studied abroad this past summer of 24' at the institute of Sant'Anna! It's such a great location from where you live either dorms or apartments and near the coast of Marina Grande! There is always something to do after classes like shopping, going to wine tasting, or even traveling to Naples. The staff at Sant'Anna are always so sweet and understanding to you. I would highly recommend taking marine biology and archeology! These were the best classes I have taken and the field trips are so fun! Def. have a chance to talk to the president of Sant'Anna she is very welcoming and loves to chat/learn about you! This opportunity is one of the best experiences of my life and I would love to come back again! P.S. Absolutey LOVE Frankie one of the CIS coordinators in Italy!

I studied abroad at Sant'Anna Institute in Sorrento, Italy for the spring semester! I didn't know anyone else going and was very nervous about making friends and moving to another country I wasn't familiar with and couldn't speak the local language. CIS abroad was more than amazing at making sure every question I had was answered and set me up with support systems both abroad and at home before I even left. They helped me feel prepared and confident I would succeed abroad despite my many concerns. Once on site, the staff at Sant'Anna was also amazing at helping everyone adjust to the Italian lifestyle and learn the differences between Italian and American culture. The school also hosted events to help students get to know each other like cooking classes, guided hikes, movie nights etc. All of the classes were taught in english and the professors wanted to see you suceed. The class schedule was also designed to give students the opportunity to travel on weekends. Sorrento was also an ideal location; it was a small town so the experience was more personable, and less overwhelming for me than living in one of the larger cities. My experience was filled with adventures, new friendships, good food, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Studying Abroad in Sorrento was the best decision I have ever made. At first, I was very hesitant to travel by myself, especially to a new country. But once I got there, I made some of my best friends and experienced more than just what America has to offer. Walking to class every day past Naples Bay and seeing Mount Vesuvius was always so beautiful and I definitely miss that view. I learned about myself so much and truly became more self-confident in who I was. I loved being immersed in the Italian culture and at time when I got frustrated and missed home, I would go on a walk around town and just see how people just enjoyed their everyday lives all relaxed. Traveling was also a huge part of my time aboard. I got to travel to 9 different countries and I can't wait to go back!

This was my first semester abroad and coming from a small town, small high school and small college I did not know what to expect. Once I arrived in Sorrento it felt like home. I was used to people knowing my name, being in small classes, and feeling a sense of community. Sorrento is a small town that quickly felt like home. I was the type of person to quickly and easily get lost and this was a town even I could quickly figure out. It was picturesque with breathtaking sunsets and views. The teachers were lovely and personable. I could not have asked more from the institute. It was small and quaint. If I wanted too, and often did, I could travel to the nearby town of Naples for some of their famous pizza and take an international flight from there. For my first time abroad, I wanted to have a home away from home, to make friends and to find a place where I would be comfortable. I found it in Sorrento.

In the fall of 2018, I realized I wanted to study abroad. So, after researching a few programs, I decided to study on the Amalfi Coast in Italy! I went through a program called CIS Abroad, who helped me to plan everything - from a basic packing list, to information about the student Visa process, to financial planning! I loved Sorrento, where Sant'Anna Institute (the abroad school) was located, as it was a very authentic Italian experience; bigger cities such as Rome or Florence tend to be more high-density tourist attractions, which hinder traditional Italian culture. For the semester, I lived in a dorm located in the same building as my classrooms. Sant'Anna provided very safe and clean housing as well as access to kitchen spaces and balconies. The staff helped with any travel questions we had, and the teachers cared deeply about our success as students as well as young travelers.

My study abroad experience on the Semester on the Amalfi Coast would not have been as amazing as it was without CisAbroad. Everyone was so helpful and made sure I was very comfortable with everything. My on-site coordinator, Romina Marchionne, made sure we were engulfed in the Italian culture. I stayed with a host family and it was life-changing. You can't live like an Italian unless you live with an Italian family! I loved the university, Sant'Anna Institute, because it offered so many engaging courses. I took Marine Biology and we went snorkeling in a marine protected area. Also, I took Archaeology and we went to places like Pompeii and Herculaneum on our field trips. The people in Sorrento and all throughout Europe were very friendly and helpful.