Program Reviews

I went abroad with CIS abroad for the summer 2 program in Rome, Italy. I can say with absolute certainty that it was the best experience of my life! Not only was my experience in Rome amazing but CIS abroad was extremely nice to work with throughout my stay.
While I was applying, my advisor was incredibly helpful during the process. Caroline made sure that anything I needed explained was explained well.
I was also overly happy with the on site advisor, Elizabeth, was very helpful and kind throughout my stay. She even introduced us to her favorite gelato place in Rome!!

I loved my experience during study abroad and I'm owe a lot of that to CIS Abroad. CIS provided immense support and extra excursions at no additional cost. I took a trip to Arezo, went to a soccer game, Gucci Garden, and more. They had a group chat with our on-site coordinators and I never felt afraid to ask questions. Especially hearing from students in other programs, I saw how CIS Abroad really does go above and beyond. Their communication prior to me arriving on-site, during, and afterwards was above average. I would do it all over again if I coud because of how much I loved my semester.

I studied abroad spring 2023 in Barcelona, I didn’t know what to expect and I was doing this completely alone. I immediately felt like I was part of a community of people who wanted to change their lives and see the world. Everything from my program director to the places I traveled to was amazing. Nicole (Onsite Director) really cares for her students and does everything she can to make you feel comfortable and loved! I wish I could go back and do it over again, leaving Barcelona was so hard. By the end of my semester, Spain had become home and the people became family. I am so grateful for CIS and the effort they put into their students.

My study abroad experience in Florence was incredibly transformative, for both my personal and academic growth. When I finally made it to Florence after a year of preparation, the beauty of the city and the warmth of its locals affirmed to me that this was the right decision for myself after so long of dealing with setbacks and doubts. Finding myself suddenly in a foreign country at 20 years old forced me to be more independent, confident, adaptable, and aware both self and socially. It even acted as a first step, a push even, toward the dreams I had been building up in my mind for years, providing clarity about my future goals and helping me refine them. While I, of course, encountered challenges, those difficult moments added valuable lessons and memorable stories I would never replace. Study abroad allowed me to live more in the present and appreciate each moment, something I have always struggled with. I loved soaking in every bit of Florence, sometimes choosing not to travel around to other places just so I had more time in my host city. Ultimately, my experience expanded my perspective on life, cultures, and the world, making the lessons learned abroad an irreplaceable part of my personal growth.

My time in Tokyo, Japan, has been absolutely amazing. This experience has been both educational and enlightening. I studied at Toyo University, and every moment was filled with joy and happiness. The staff at CIS Abroad, both on-site and in the U.S., were accommodating and kind. The staff and students at Toyo were also incredibly friendly and welcoming. I made so many memories and life-long friends. I had so much fun both in and outside of the classroom. I am grateful for this amazing experience!

In short, studying abroad in Sorrento is more than just an academic endeavor; it’s a chance to grow personally and culturally in one of the most beautiful corners of the world. The combination of high-quality education, breathtaking scenery, and rich cultural experiences makes Sorrento an unforgettable destination for any student.

Beyond academics, Sorrento offers an unparalleled cultural experience. The town is renowned for its friendly locals, who are eager to share their traditions and cuisine. From tasting authentic limoncello to exploring ancient ruins and picturesque islands like Capri, you'll find endless opportunities to immerse yourself in Italian culture.

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.

With CIS Abroad, I was able to experience many sides of Tokyo, not just the touristy, overcrowded areas. Housing was located in a quiet neighborhood, and the campus was near busy Shinjuku. The onsite staff were so kind and went out of their way to help us when we needed it. They also gave us the freedom to explore Tokyo (and Japan, for that matter) safely, but without making us feel like children. I would recommend this for a self-guided person who does not want to be required to attend mandatory outings.

Rome itself was a beautiful city rich with history, good food, and the hustle of city life that I was looking for. The public transportation made daily life very easy and the small size of the program and school I was studying in provided a closer community that made such a big city feel close knit. The classes I was taking were both interesting and of low difficulty allowing for ample time to actually enjoy myself. Cost of living was also lower than I have experienced in the States. The program also provided many excursions and dinners that provided experiences I would not have otherwise had if I were planning everything myself. The location of housing they provided was exactly where one would want to be while visiting Rome and was amongst locals to receive a full immersive experience.

Encapsulating my study abroad experience is nearly impossible. The time, experiences, people, and places I had the honor and pleasure of meeting and visiting were bountiful. Words could never possibly capture the human experience however, as a creative writer, this is truly something I attempt to perfect with every poem, essay, and short story that leaks out of my fingers and onto a white pixelated screen.
Firenze, Italia was my home for only a few months and yet I know the changes I experienced have taken residence deep within my new persona.
In order to fully appreciate Italy, I made conscious efforts to try and eat different regional dishes (made easy and affordable with the meal plan provided by The Social Hub), visit different cities small and large. Such as Prato, the most important manufacturing town in Italy, an experience provided to me by CISAbroad. But I also went on my own excusions too, like visiting Rome and Milan. I took an Italian class offered by my chosen university to make every attempt at conversing with the locals when ordering a meal or asking for the price of a cute handmade trinket.
I made sure the classes I attended at FUA (Florence University of the Arts) were specific to trades or passions of Italy. Examples of this were Wine Marketing and Fashion Marketing to satisfy marketing electives for my Marketing Major. And "Florentine Literary Walks" and "Love Letters by Great Men and Women" to satisfy English electives for my Creative Writing Major.
CISAbroad provided mentors to guide me. Like gifting me advice on which grocery stores to buy food from, where to buy hangers or notebooks, where to buy authentic leather, and which bars to avoid sleazy men. My program coordinators created activities to keep me busy and introduce me to other study-abroad students in my same program and new experiences, such as visiting small towns near Florence, local pastry shops, and even the Gucci Gardens!
Another activity I was super happy to do in Italy was to attend a concert. Something I'd highly recommend trying to experience if you chose to study abroad. I saw Pinguini Tattici Nucleari (a super popular band in Italy that had over 35 concerts within Italy that all sold out!) live in Bologna and Alfa (He does a duet with RosaLynn from the song Snap, I'm sure you have heard of it) in Florence. Just a 30 minute tram ride from TSH. As someone who has been to over fifteen concerts in the United States within the past two years, one of them being Taylor Swift, let me just say the Italians know how to 'concert' properly. It was the grandest experience to be so wholly immersed with natives and their language and culture at full height.
Italy was such a delightful life-changing experience I still cannot believe I was so lucky to experience it.