Summer on the Italian Coast, Sorrento

My summer abroad in Sorrento was such an amazing experience and I could not recommend it more! From the people I met in my classes to the welcoming locals, Sorrento felt like home as soon as I got there. CIS provided a variety of excursions and immersive opportunities for students to take part in, making me truly embrace the Italian culture and grow not only in my academic life, but also in my personal life. My favorite excursion was the cruise from Sorrento to Amalfi, which is definitely a day that I will never forget. This program has left me with friendships and memories that will last a lifetime, and none of that would have been possible without CIS!

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Spending a summer in Sorrento was the experience of a lifetime. From swimming in the clear blue water to wandering the narrow streets filled with lemon trees and shops, every day felt special. The program created the perfect mix of culture, fun, and travel. Weekend trips to places like Capri, Pompeii, and the Amalfi Coast gave me memories I’ll never forget. I built great friendships, enjoyed amazing food, and felt at home thanks to the staff and housing. It was truly unforgettable.

From the moment I stepped onto Sant'Anna campus, I was greeted with friendly faces immediately welcoming me home for the next 5 weeks. Quickly, I got to meet some of my best friends with whom I spent the rest of my time there. Being a part of the CIS program gave us opportunities to explore the area around us, like going to a mozzarella farm and getting to taste their homemade food. Along with the mozzarella farm, we had the opportunity to kayak to the beautiful Bagni Regina. I can confidently say that my time abroad was truly one of the best experiences of my life, and I truly believe that this is because of CIS Abroad. They ensured that each student was getting the full experience and enjoying every second of it.

I spent a semester studying abroad at Sant’Anna Institute in Sorrento, Italy, through CIS Abroad. I had the chance to truly immerse myself in Italian culture. As a marketing major, one of the most impactful experiences was taking an Italy Tourism class, which gave me a firsthand look at how the country promotes its rich culture and beautiful destinations to the world. From exploring local businesses to learning about regional branding strategies, I gained a whole new perspective on international marketing. Living and learning in a new environment also helped me grow personally becoming more adaptable, curious, and confident in navigating different cultures. Going abroad opened me up to so many new opportunities and new people. I got to visit 9 countries and do things I never would have done like paragliding in Switzerland. Doing this pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me in so many ways. Choosing to go through CIS Abroad was the best choice. They offered me with the best site director who made the transition so seamless and helped with every little question I had. Also having an on the phone doctor really helped, whereas students who didn't use CIS had only an Italian doctor. Studying Abroad was the best decision of my life.

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My time in Italy exceeded my expectations in countless ways! The CIS staff went over and above to make us feel welcomed, supported, and loved. The events they hosted were incredible! We were treated to a welcome and farewell dinner at local restaurants. We also went on 2 excursions: one to Pompeii for a walking tour and one to Naples for a food tour! My class, marine biology, went on an excursion to Ieranto Bay to hike, snorkel, kayak, and swim. This was truly one of the most surreal experiences of my life! Sorrento itself was a safe and beautiful town that felt like home in just 3 short weeks. The locals made you feel genuinely loved and cared for. Overall, exploring the beauty of the Italian Coast with amazing new friends made for the best month of my life!

I would a million times recommend this experience. I did the 10-week program. The first 5 weeks I did a class for my major and the second 5 weeks I did a social media and marketing internship with an art gallery in Sorrento, Italy. Sant'Anna Institution was very helpful in getting me set up with my internship. The staff was so friendly and became an integral part of my experience. I can't speak highly enough about this program. Seriously it was the best decision I have ever made for myself. I was nervous about doing 10 weeks as opposed to 5 but I took a leap of faith not knowing anyone going on the program and leaving my family for the longest I had been away from home. I now look back on this experience with absolutely no regrets. You get to experience things and places some people will never experience in their lifetime. I will forever be grateful for the people I met from all over the world (actually) and the beautiful destinations I visited. One of my favorite parts about CIS was their encouragement to travel outside of just Sorrento. I took full advantage of being in Europe and got to go to Greece, Switzerland, and Croatia. It was very common for students to go to different places for a long weekend and that to me was one of my favorite parts. The dorm life at Sant'Anna was amazing. The rooms were newly renovated and we had a beautiful view of Marina Grande outside our window. I would 100% recommend staying in the dorms. I got to meet so many other students and it was very convenient for class and other activities that the school hosted. The onsite directors Frankie and Emma were AMAZING!! They were so awesome in organizing different activities for CIS students and I learned that was not common with other programs as some students didn't get to do the things we did. Some of these activities include an Amalfi Coast boat tour, kayaking, pizza pizza-making class and a winery tour that were all included in the cost of CIS Abroad. Overall, I could talk about this experience for days and there isn't a single day I don't think about this life-changing experience. It is worth more than the Instagram pictures and crazy stories, but is one of finding myself, cultural appreciation, life lessons, culture shock, independence, and growing into the person I am today.

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My entire life I have always dreamed of going on a trip like this and through CIS Abroad they made it possible. How much it cost to live in Sorrento for five weeks was honestly surprising as it counted tuition as well. CIS had so many fun events like our boat tour to Almafi with all of the students on the program to nice dinners in Sorrento where we got to meet so many people in the program. I learned so much about the Italian culture, had the best food of my life, saw the most gorgeous places, and made lifelong friends. It truly was the best five weeks I have ever had.

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The Summer on the Italian Coast program in Sorrento, Italy was incredible! CIS Abroad organized so many fun activities for students and provided excellent support throughout the program. A highlight for me was living on campus in the residence hall since the rooms were clean, spacious, and close to my classes. I also enjoyed preparing meals in the kitchen which had a terrace next to it. With easy access to the ocean, Sorrento is the ideal place to spend the summer! I had so much fun visiting places nearby like Positano, Capri, and Amalfi. I highly recommend participating in this program through CIS Abroad!!

This was an immersive program in a beautiful location! I was able to meet students from all over the United States as well as many locals from the Sorrento Peninsula. Sorrento has a small town feel, but you're never too far away from anything. Sorrento was very safe, walkable, picturesque, and full of things to do -- especially outdoors! My program through CIS included lots of fun activities and the staff on the ground at Sant'Anna Institute in Sorrento were the kindest people who loved interacting and hosting activities with the students. Spending a semester in Sorrento will always hold a special place in my heart. I certainly recommend this program!

I had an amazing time during my five weeks abroad in Sorrento, Italy. Southern Italian culture including the food, local life, and way of life was a change from the fast paced American culture that I am used to. CIS gave many resources and assistance for travel during time off from class as well as providing trips in the area including an Amalfi Boat cruise, a local wine tasting, an olive oil tasting, and several group dinners. Both the pre departure and on site staff were amazing and always available for any help needed. Despite the summer heat, there are so many public and private beach options which is an experience within itself. I cannot wait to return to Sorrento one day!

My experience with CIS Abroad on the Italian Coast was more than I could have ever imagined. The summer study abroad program provided a perfect blend of fun, engaging classes, cultural immersion, and breathtaking coastal views. From the moment I arrived, I was captivated by the charm of the local towns, the vibrant culture, and the welcoming community. The courses were taught by passionate professors who truly cared about their students. I was always excited to attend my classes, History of the Mafia and Drawing on Location, as they were immersive and intriguing. My professors were personable, knew everyone by name, and spent one-on-one time with me to help with assignments. They incorporated humor and excitement that made learning fun and enjoyable. They also provided multiple class field trips where they took us to various beautiful spots around Sorrento, including hidden gems that weren't widely known! CIS Abroad did an excellent job of integrating cultural activities into the program. We were provided with gelato and pizza-making classes, wine tasting, Italian dinners, a boat trip to Amalfi, beach club day, and a farewell party including a cultural tarantella dance. I was highly impressed with the amount of activities provided included in the program fee. The program coordinators, Frankie and Emma, attended all events and were fantastic. They were fun and genuinely cared about all the students, always wanting to get to know us better. The support from CIS Abroad staff was exceptional. They were always available to assist with questions or concerns making living in Sorrento feel safe and comfortable. I made a great decision to stay in the Sant'Anna Dorms that were in the school as I loved being able to walk right downstairs to class. Living with other international students made it easy to form lasting friendships and share unique experiences. There was always one or more staff members on sight available to assist us with anything, including a night guard that made me and my parents feel safe. Sant'Anna is located minutes from the town square with a wide range of unique restaurants, shops, and bars, minutes from the beach at Marina Grande, and minutes to the train and ferry stations with popular tourist spots nearby making travel easily accessible. My summer with CIS Abroad on the Italian coast was a transformative experience that exceeded all my expectations. I came away with not only a deeper appreciation for Italian culture and history but also lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking for a perfect mix of academics, culture, and coastal beauty!

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I have no idea where to start because each day of this experience was a new adventure full of challenges, emotions, liberation, laughter, and growth. Through it all, the people that I met there proved to be my comfort. The classmates proved to be just as lost, excited, and adventurous as me while respecting my lifestyle and goals for the trip. I easily made a tight knit group of friends in and out of the classroom to spend most all of my time with to eat, explore, and take numerous side-quests with. The staff members at both Sant'Anna Institute and CIS Abroad were amazing as they gave the best recommendations, guided us on once-in-a-lifetime excursions, got to know us on a personal level, and encouraged us to explore and make conversation with everyone we met. That included the locals. The local people of Sorrento were the best hosts we could have asked for. They were welcoming, kind, adaptive, and the most authentic they could be in such an up-and-coming tourist area. Though I learned many lessons, had amazing food, and went on the coolest adventures, none of it would have been worth it without the people that I met on this trip. No matter if you are nervous or excited to step out of your comfort zone and travel to a new place, these people are willing and happy to help with any questions or encouragement. I am so glad that I decided to go on this trip because it truly did change my life and push me to travel more!

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Doing this program through CIS abroad was one of the best experiences I have ever gotten to participate in. Not only were they extremely helpful before departure, but they made sure that we felt comfortable, we’re getting involved in activities, met a ton of people, and really experiences city in the culture every day that we were there. I got paired with the most amazing roommates based off of their choosing, I got to do so many fun activities that they planned and organized for us, including wine, tasting, fancy dinners, boat tours, and even see an olive oil factory! it was truly an amazing experience to not only do the activities that they provided, but also have the time and independence to go off and explore different cities around Italy and Europe. The schoolwork was definitely easy, but I learned so much about the culture and global business in different countries! Would recommend to everyone, was truly a life-changing experience!

I absolutely loved my summer abroad experience in Sorrento, Italy! I took Elementary Italian Language and History and Culture of Italian Food. I thoroughly enjoyed my classes abroad. The teachers were very friendly and easy to work with. My History and Culture of Italian Food class even took us to a Buffalo Mozzarella Farm field trip as well as a pasta factory field trip. My classes were engaging and interesting to learn about. There were few assignments and often just a midterm and final exam. The class sizes were small which I enjoyed, which made it easier to build a relationship with the professor and ask more questions. I lived in a local apartment right in the middle of downtown with three other girls. The apartment was very spacious and clean and even had an outdoor patio with a table and chairs. There were so many fun activities to do in Sorrento. I went to beach clubs, paddle boarding, cliff jumping, wine tasting, olive oil tasting, cooking classes, and more. The town of Sorrento is very touristy, especially with a lot of travelers during summertime. The town does feel very safe during the day and at night. There is a nightlife scene with night time bars and fun rooftop bars overlooking the ocean. Sorrento is located in the bay of Naples so to travel to any big Italian cities you must first take a local train from Sorrento to Naples. Then you must transfer to a regional train in Naples to any other cities. This extra transfer can make traveling on weekends to cities a bit difficult, but is easy to navigate after the first time.

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Sorrento will always hold a special place in my heart. Sant’Anna Institute is right on the coast, and I woke up every morning to the boats leaving the dock along the coast. During the day, when we didn’t have class, we walked the streets and met all kinds of people from shop owners to other tourists from all different countries. Being surrounded by an unfamiliar language and different cultural aspects broadens your perspective, and I enjoyed hearing everyone’s stories from all different walks of life. Additionally, I met some incredible friends in my study abroad program, many of whom I still keep in contact with today! At night, we would sit and watch the sunset and all of its beautiful colors before we went to sleep. Also, take weekends to travel around Italy or fly over to Greece! We went to Capri, Mykonos, Milan, and Venice, and I couldn’t encourage taking the time to plan trips while abroad more! But to conclude, this city and its welcoming, lively environment holds so many special memories that I will never forget. Study abroad and experience the best trip of your life!!

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All I can say is this experience is my favorite college memory! When I first decided to go abroad, I knew Italy was the place for me. Between the ancient ruins and the beautiful coastline, I couldn't think of any place I'd rather spend 10 weeks over summer. I initially settled on the historical city of Rome, but it didn't take long for my love for beaches to take me elsewhere. I ended up choosing Sorrento, and I honestly couldn't have chosen a better place! I think it's safe to say Sorrento will always have a piece of my heart and will always be my home away from home. Sorrento is a dream come true! It's exactly what you imagine a summer in Italy to be like: colorful beach umbrellas, boats sailing along the coast, gelaterias everywhere you turn, and lots of lemons! The host university, Sant'Anna Institute, is amazing! One of my favorite memories at the school was watching the most incredible firework show from the rooftop terrace when every color imaginable lit up the night sky above the water. Overall, I don't think my experience would have been the same without CIS Abroad. The staff did everything they possibly could to make the experience go as smoothly as possible. I loved Molly, who was the on-site staff member when I went! She is the absolute sweetest and was always a resource for students! For anyone wanting to go abroad, I definitely recommend CIS Abroad!

CISabroad Summer on the Italian Coast at Sant'Anna Institute in Sorrento was an incredible Italian experience. Coordination with CISabroad during the application process and closer to the departure date was always super easy, and I felt as ready as I could be for the new culture. In Sorrento, I never felt unsafe, which helped because I had quite a long walk to school (25-30 minutes). I would definitely recommend staying with a host family or on Sant'anna's campus, because apartments could be between 15-30 minutes away, and Sant'Anna is located just a few steps away from the heart of Sorrento or the beach. There are plenty of excursions organized by both Sant'Anna and CISabroad, so I rarely found myself without something new to see. Sorrento is an amazing location with easy connections to the Amalfi Coast, Capri, and Naples, and many of my friends used the proximity to Naples and its airport to go on trips to Spain, Amsterdam, or other locations in Italy. The classes were mostly laid-back; I never spent late nights doing homework and had plenty of time with friends to go on local excursions or cook dinner during weekdays. My only issue with classes came just before I left for the trip: many classes were not offered in the summer term so many of my peers (including me) had last minute class changes. This greatly complicated the transfer credit process at my home university, but was not necessarily the fault of CISabroad. The bottom line is that Sorrento is the perfect location in Italy to spend a summer, and the CISabroad team is exceptional during the pre-departure stage as well as on-ground assistance in Italy. I miss Sorrento so much!

I had the time of my life on the Italian Coast in the summer of 2017. In my opinion, Sorrento was the best city in Italy. I could swim in the Mediterranean every day and watch the sunset from the balcony or right from my window. The Marine Biology class that I took was an awesome experience as we snorkeled and kayaked and saw and learned about the incredible marine life that Italy had to offer. I was able to travel around Italy every weekend, but I always felt that coming back to Sorrento was like coming back home. Sant'Anna institute was a beautiful school overlooking the sea, with rich culture and wonderful instructors. And my CISabroad coordinator made sure that we all felt welcome and immersed in the Italian culture by making sure that we had plenty of unforgettable local experiences. My summer on the Italian Coast changed my life and gave me friends to last a lifetime as well as a new home in another country.