CIS Abroad Semester Programs in Italy

I studied abroad in Florence with CISAbroad, and it was an amazing semester! The on-site staff was very supportive, the classes offered at Florence University of the Arts were very interesting and engaging, and the city is very fun as well as walkable! We had a lot of interactive class periods including field trips and demonstrations. There is a lot to do in Florence, and the on-site staff shared their favorite spots and helps students get aclemated. I would recommend this program to everyone!

Florence is an amazing city and CIS treated us really well. Our advisors in Florence were great- so nice and really responsive whenever we had questions or concerns. The classes were two and a half hours which was very painful (thankfully only once a week) and there was no dining hall (we paid for a meal plan but there was only a restaurant you could use points at that was in the opposite corner of the city from me). But Florence has amazing food, good shopping, lots of things to do, and its location made it super easy to get to other countries for weekend trips.

Have you ever heard of Perugia? Do you know where in Italy Perugia is located? Do you know what it looks like or what festivals take place there? You may have said yes if you went abroad/travelled there, you have family there, or you just really know your geography. I for one, did not know anything about Perugia, nor that it existed until my friend told be about the CIS abroad program in Perugia. And boy am I glad she shared her experiences with me, because now I have my own memories to share and cherish. The best part about going into this was that I had no idea what to expect, who I would meet, or the things that I would do. I was going to an unknown place that a lot of people had never really heard of. And this is exactly what I was looking for. Sure, I visited the big cities of Rome and Florence, but Perugia was my home base, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Perugia was above and beyond what I ever imagined; the people, the friendships, and the history were extraordinary. I was able to see an original Raphael fresco on the wall of a small chapel during one of my field trips in Perugia. I was given the opportunity to volunteer with UNICEF, working alongside local women to make pigotta dolls that would eventually be sold to provide vaccinations for women and children in need. I individually ate well over 50 pizzas for as little as 5-7 euros during my semester, and enjoyed a cone of gelato directly afterwards. I came to Perugia knowing not one word of Italian, but I ended up leaving with a more expansive vocabulary and knowledge of a language that I hope to be fluent in by the time I return. But what really shaped my experience were the long lasting friendships I had formed and the new places I got to explore and the culture I was able to engage in. There is so much to see in this world and many people to learn from, therefore I believe that my mind and heart will never stop growing until I see it all. As cheesy as that may sound, it is true for me! Perugia and all the countries I was fortunate enough to visit has most definitely given me the travel bug.
I recommend this program to anyone who is looking to make their experience their own. Honestly, I believe it is for everyone. It is a small program relative to the other programs out there, but it provides you with a close knit group of people that you can get to know (if you choose to do so). There are fun places to hang out for nightlife (definitely not a crazy nightlife scene, but still really fun on the weekends)! The areas surrounding Perugia are a fun visit too, and just a train ride away. I often frequented Assisi, and in the warmer months, my friends and I spent some time on Lake Trasimeno. Centro Historico Perugia is walkable and breath taking, and you won't find better food (even as a vegetarian, trust me). There are farmers markets, great shopping, movie theaters, and cafes. It is everything I needed to feel right at home, even though I was miles and miles away.
As I was preparing to go home, my friends and I had a big farewell party. Basically, it was almost half the people in the program (some of the people I hadn't really formally met until that night)! From day 1 until day 105, everyone was so inclusive and friendly. I can't say that is how it is all the time or how everyone feels, but I got really lucky to meet such a genuine group of people. We all got to share our worst and absolute best moments abroad, and honestly I have never laughed harder than at some of these unfortunate stories.
If I could do it again, I would over and over and over (and over). My best advice would be to let things fall into place, and find the experience that you are looking for and be sure to make it happen. This is your time to see, do, eat, and experience all this chapter in your life has to offer. Go to that museum alone, try that mystery pastry you've been eyeing, chat up the local cafe owner, and make sure you always have the necessary tickets and stamps before trying to board a flight (one of the worst moments of my life, but that is a story for a different day). All of my experiences were well worth it, because it was in those moments that made it my own. I now have friends on the west coast, even more on the east coast, and some friendly faces I hope to encounter again in Perugia. I really recommend the Perugia program, and if you choose a different one, I hope you find everything that you are looking for and more. (But, I am biased towards Perugia, so I would choose it if I were you).

When I pictured myself studying abroad, from the flight to Italy to the flight home, I was filled with so much excitement & wonderlust. I was picturing all the amazing countries & cultures I would be able to immerse myself in and I could not have been more thrilled. What I didn’t realize before my trip was that the people I met would have such an influence on my time in Sorrento. Leaving and saying our goodbyes was one of the hardest parts. The life long friendships I made during my time abroad is something I hold so close to my heart. Looking bad, I would not have had it any other way. The town of Sorrento was so cute & quaint. During all of the amazing trips we took, from Ireland to Germany, to Croatia, to Greece, getting back to Sorrento felt so nice. It truly felt like home.
My friends & I were able to feel like locals. We fit in with our daily routines, going into town to grab a coffee or a gelato, seeing familiar faces that would smile & greet you so nicely.
I would recommend studying abroad to anyone. I was able to see so much growth and change not only within myself but within so many others around me. You create a bond with the people you travel with for so many reasons but I have found that the changes & growth you go through hold you together the most. Studying abroad gives you the opportunity to discover who you are, how you adapt to change, and to focus on yourself & what makes you happy. It may be hard at some points, but it is so worth it in the end. I wouldn’t give up my study abroad experience for anything. CIS abroad has helped me through it all and I could not be more thankful.

I signed up for the Food Studies and Sustainability Program offered through Umbra Insititue in Perugia, Italy because I am an environmental studies and sustainability major. I really enjoyed the program and experienced more than I ever thought I would. They fit so much in and really allowed us to experience Italian culture through food. The staff and professors were incredible, friendly, and knowledgeable. I truly enjoyed it. However, I really wished the program focused more on sustainability. I think it was too focused on food and tradition and I was expecting a little bit more of an environmental prospective. I think it has the potential to really integrate innovative and green thinking into the cultural and culinary education already being taught.

My experience abroad was amazing and will forever be a memory close to my heart. Having Peggy and Alessandro from CISabroad was a great opportunity to be able to participate in activities that I wouldn't have necessarily done on my own. For example, we took a cooking class through the program and it was so much fun. They were also very useful when it came to suggestions for places to eat and shop. Because of them, I found my favorite hidden gelato place that's off the beaten path. I came into this program really nervous to be away from home for so long - my advice is if it scares you, just go for it! You only live once.

As the semester came to an end I was overcome by both the joy of being able to go home and see family and friends and being able to use my debit card freely with no extra charges, but also with sadness realizing years will probably pass before I will be able to return. Throughout all the experiences I had in Florence, good and bad, altogether I had an amazing time. There are definitely things that I wish I had known and think other participants should consider before choosing to study in Florence. For example, I was not aware of how Americanized my day to day was going to be. You go to school with Americans, travel with Americans, and mostly everyone speaks English. This being said many people come to Florence with a group of friends so this could be a challenge socially since CIS and FUA provide no student hub where people can go to either study, relax, or mingle. Even if you don't find a group this shouldn't stop you from exploring and expanding your knowledge of culture and travel. Some of my favorite trips were ones I took alone and I was able to finally meet different people from around the world. There are definitely improvements that could be made, but your experience truly depends on whether you are able to escape your comfort zone and enjoy every little moment that you can.

I had the most amazing experience studying abroad in Florence! From living 2 minutes away from the Ponte Vecchio, to beautiful walks along the Arno River to school, to making friends with local cafe workers, I wouldn’t change anything about my experience. I had the time and opportunity to visit 10 different countries, all of which were so different and unreal to explore! I was able to visit Budapest, Nuremberg, Madrid, Paris, Amsterdam, Prague, Dublin, Montreux, Athens, and many cities all over Italy. My travel buddies and I decided to take the path less traveled by and plan every bit of our own travel experiences. This was done by avoiding the many student-enticing travel companies that make cross country traveling “easier.” I found that planning my own trips has taught me so much about myself as a traveler and a person. I realize how resourceful and independent I can be! This experience has also made me a more confident individual and has inspired me to explore more of my home country, that I have so much more to see!