CIS Abroad Intern on the Italian Coast

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.

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. I certainly recommend this program!

From months in advance to months afterwards, my experiences with both CIS Abroad and Sant'Anna Institute positively effect me in numerous ways. In preparation for the trip, both CIS Abroad and Sant'Anna made sure we were prepared mentally, educationally, and packing-wise by offering educational recourses, group meetings, expert and friendly advice, and even access to begin making friends with our upcoming classmates. Once we arrived in Sorrento, we were provided with helpful tours of both the local town and surrounding tourist locations, adequate amenities, amazing staff members, and access to recommendations for anything we could wish for. The classes we took were taught by amazing professors who took us on educational and exciting field trips and made the learned material memorable in and out of the classroom. The travel days both arriving and departing were handled smoothly with plenty of resources extra guidance if needed. And now after the trip, all I want to do is go back to not only see the amazing friends I made, but to experience this unique and unforgettable culture.

As I immersed myself into Southern Italian culture for five weeks, I find myself longing to go back. The CIS staff pre-departure and on site were always willing to help with any information needed or weekend travel recommendations. I felt very safe in Sorrento and enjoyed my walks to Sant'Anna Institute while saying ciao to locals I would see every day or stopping in one of many bakeries to get a pastry as I am walking to class each day. I highly recommend this program, all thanks to my amazing experience with CIS!