My experience abroad with CIS Abroad was truly incredible and easily one of the best experiences of my life. From the very beginning, CIS Abroad made it clear that they genuinely cared about helping students make the most of their time abroad, not just academically, but personally, socially, and culturally as well. Every detail felt intentional, supportive, and designed to help us fully immerse ourselves in our host country.

One of the things I appreciated most was the variety of housing options available. Having comfortable, well-located housing made such a difference in how easily I could adjust to life abroad. It allowed me to feel safe, independent, and truly at home in a new country. Being surrounded by other students who were also navigating this exciting experience helped create a strong sense of community from the start.

The excursions and activities organized by CIS Abroad were another highlight. They went far beyond what I expected from a study abroad program. From cultural trips to unique experiences like a spa day—yes, a spa day abroad, which still feels unreal—every excursion gave us the chance to relax, explore, and connect with both the culture and each other. These experiences allowed me to see parts of the country I may never have discovered on my own and helped balance the academic side of studying abroad with fun and meaningful memories.

The group dinners organized through CIS Abroad were especially impactful. What started as simple shared meals quickly turned into moments of connection that helped form lasting friendships. Sitting down together, sharing stories, laughing, and experiencing local food created bonds that felt genuine and natural. Through these dinners, I met friends who quickly became my travel buddies, and we explored new cities, navigated unfamiliar places, and made unforgettable memories together. Even after returning home, I am still in contact with many of them, which speaks volumes about the strong relationships that were formed during this time.

Beyond the logistics and activities, CIS Abroad provided consistent support throughout the entire experience. Knowing that there was always someone to reach out to if I needed help made studying abroad feel less overwhelming and more empowering. That support gave me the confidence to step outside my comfort zone, try new things, and fully embrace life abroad.

I loved every minute of my experience with CIS Abroad, and I truly miss it every day. The memories, friendships, and personal growth I gained are things I will carry with me forever. Studying abroad changed me in ways I never expected, and I am incredibly grateful to CIS Abroad for making that possible. If given the chance, I would do it all over again without hesitation.

Studying at the Sant'Anna Institute on the Amalfi Coast was the best decision I've ever made! From the number of included activities offered to students through CIS, such as kayaking and exploring Naples, Matera, and the Amalfi Coast, there was never a dull moment during my experience.

I also highly recommend participating in the CIS Micro-Credential program while abroad! Every week, it motivated me to get involved in the town's festivities, and by the end, I felt much more like a local than a tourist.

The on-site CIS staff were also really personable and were a vital part of the transition abroad. When I needed support, Frankie was always there.

My favorite class was Field Archaeology, where we got to explore Pompeii, Herculaneum, and multiple archaeology museums in person. I've never had a class that captured my attention so thoroughly. Professor Tartaglia is the BEST.
Sorrento is also only an hour from the airport, so weekend trips were super easy. I went to Paris, Athens, Milan, Como, Lugano, and Rome (3x!).

One of the best parts of my friends' and my experiences was our daily trip to Orbit, a local iced coffee shop with Matcha, Chai, and Bubble tea. The owners, Roberta and Lorenzo, are in their 20's, fluent in English, and the kindest human beings ever! It was our favorite study spot and a great place to practice our Italian with locals.

My chapter in Florence has become a highlight in throughout my college years. This time kept me grounded yet challenged me which reshaped how I take on the world. Florence holds so much beauty and history to see everyday giving me chance to slow down and take in the moments. These moments also required me to adapt to a whole new speed of life. This city wasn't just a place I came to for an education, but a place that built my independence and confidence in handling a new culture.

Right at the start, my daily life required problem-solving. I had to adapt to the new responsibilities at hand, navigating public transportation, and mainly the cultural differences. Some tasks I would've thought were easy sometimes came with unexpected challenges, teaching me how to stay calm under pressure. Being away from my family which is my support system, forced me to depend more on my own judgment, becoming one of my stronger skills that I will continue to use after this experience.

Never being so far from my support system, Florence created a deep sense of independence. I had to make big decisions on my own, academics to traveling. I built trust in myself to move forward and getting comfortable with uncertainty. Gaining this new feeling, I felt empowered and building confidence through my daily actions. Every moment navigating this foreign city reinforced my trust in my own capabilities.

Outside of every day life, being in Italy gave me a chance to explore Europe. From Florence, I was able to go to places such as Paris, London, Morocco, Barcelona, and many other cities across Italy. Traveling to these places grew my view of the world and exposed me to different ways of living. Each location offered new moments, lessons, and memories. Returning to Florence was a great place to come "home" too. It was such a grounding place, where I could reflect and process what I've taken in from the countries right next door.

The biggest lesson Florence taught me was resilience. Of course it was experience of a lifetime, but there were moments of discomfort and uncertainty. I dealt with those moment by turning them into a chance to grow. I looked back at the challenges I faced as an essential part of my personal development. Rather being scared of discomfort, I recognize is as progress.

At the end of my time, this experience was transformative. It gave me room to grow while gaining lifelong skills. Florence was not just a place to study abroad, it became my second home. The lessons I learned, the challenges I had to over come built my mentality today. Reminding me that if I want to grow, I have to step beyond comfortability and allow myself to evolve.

Studying abroad with CIS in Florence was one of the best experiences of my life. From the moment I arrived, the staff made me feel supported and welcomed. Martina and Romina, in particular, were incredibly kind and helpful—whether I needed travel advice, restaurant recommendations, or help navigating unexpected challenges, they were always there.

One of the things I loved most was the variety of cultural immersion activities CIS offered. One of the first activities I did was the hike to Piazzale Michelangelo, which became one of my places. CIS introduced us to this breathtaking viewpoint early on, and I ended up returning many times during my stay. They also had trips to places like Rome and Arezzo, attended local operas, visited museums, and participated in other local activities. The staff joined us for these excursions, making the experiences feel even more personal and connected.

The city of Florence itself was amazing. It was easy to navigate, incredibly beautiful, and full of life. I loved wandering the streets, stumbling upon musicians and artists, and taking in the rich history and art that seemed to be around every corner.

This experience also allowed me to grow on a personal level. I had never traveled alone before, and I learned so much about myself. I know how I like to travel, what pace works for me, and how to problem-solve on the fly. From figuring out train tickets to adjusting plans after flight delays, I became more confident in my own abilities to problem solve in stressful situations.

However, my time there was not perfect. There were some bumps along the way. A major storm caused a small flood in our apartment, and we lost power temporarily. It was stressful, but the CIS staff sent help and made sure to check in after the fact. There was also a situation where some neighbors felt unsafe, but CIS took it seriously and responded by installing security cameras and hiring a guard to ensure everyone felt secure. Personally, I never felt unsafe, but I thought CIS handled the concerns well.

Overall, I would definitely recommend the CIS Abroad program to anyone who is interested. The program was thoughtfully designed, the staff were exceptional, and there were many opportunities for cultural immersion in the city. Even with a few bumps along the way, I felt supported and truly at home wandering around Florence.

One of the things I loved most about Italy was how seamlessly history, culture, and daily life are intertwined. Whether walking through ancient ruins in Pompeii, admiring art in Florence, or sitting at a café in a small town, there’s a sense of living history that surrounds you. Italians also have such a beautiful way of prioritizing connection; the meals aren’t rushed but enjoyed, conversations stretch late into the night, and there’s a clear emphasis on savoring life. That combination of cultural richness and genuine warmth made every day feel meaningful and memorable.

More specifically, in Sorrento, what stood out to me most was the breathtaking scenery and the welcoming spirit of the community. The views of the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius never got old, and the lemon groves and colorful streets gave the town a charm that felt uniquely its own. Beyond the scenery, though, it was the slower pace and the hospitality of the people that made Sorrento feel like home. I loved the way locals would remember your face after just a couple of visits, and how there was always time for a smile or a small conversation. It gave me a sense of belonging in a place that was so different from where I came from.

Overall, Italy taught me the value of slowing down and truly appreciating the beauty in both extraordinary and everyday moments, and Sorrento was the perfect reflection of that lesson.

When you study abroad, you are presented with countless situations that will help you develop important life skills such as problem solving, independence, and resilience. From navigating the complexities of European travel and public transportation, to monitoring your finances while keeping in consideration ever-changing exchange rates, life abroad can feel super daunting at first. Simply going through life far away from your usual support system initially feels like an intimidating adjustment, too. However, looking back on my experience abroad, I feel immense gratitude for these obstacles being presented to me because I’ve come out on the other side a much more self-assured person. I genuinely feel more capable of handling whatever life chooses to send my way. Being in Florence, specifically, felt extra special because I was surrounded by breath-taking architecture, beautiful music, and countless Italian cultural activities I was able to be a part of. I made friends who I hope to keep in contact with for a long time, and visited multiple countries around Europe I had never been before. CIS truly knows how to take care of their students, and it shows. I took part in so many activities they had planned that helped me make friends almost immediately, as I traveled there alone. They helped us navigate everything from getting to our housing from the airport, to getting advice on fun things to do in our city, to booking travel back home when the program ended. I am incredibly grateful for my study abroad experience with CIS.

My experience in Florence was 10/10. I truly would not have done it any differently if I were to go abroad again. The people of Florence were so friendly and helpful when it came to the language, fun sights to see in the city, and restaurants. I didn't know anybody at first but met people instantly with the various social events offered by CIS. I highly recommend studying here. It is also super easy to travel around Italy which is a super special thing to do. Places like the Italian Riviera, the Amalfi Coast, and of course Rome being so close made Italy so fun and beautiful.

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.