CIS Abroad Summer Study in Italy

CIS Abroad Summer Study in Italy

Location
  • Italy
    • Florence
    • Rome
    • Sorrento
Term
Maymester, Short Term, Summer
Subject Areas
Advertising Anthropology Archaeology Architecture Art History Arts Biology Business Conservation and Preservation Creative Writing Culinary Arts Design Economics Environmental Studies Fashion Design Film Geology Global Studies History Hospitality Humanities International Business International Relations Language Studies Liberal Arts Literature Marine Biology Marketing Media Relations Photography Physics Psychology Public Relations Religious Studies Tourism +25
General grants/scholarships

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
Bachelors
Housing
Apartment Dormitory
Language
Italian

Pricing

$5,490
Price Details
Price may be an estimate, the lower end of a range, or from a previous term. Please see our website for specifics.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Classes Wifi
What's Included (Extra)

Please visit our website to see all that's included.

Sep 02, 2025
Sep 08, 2025
27 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Italy offers everything you could ever want for a rewarding summer experience: a great climate, rich culture, impressive art, tasty cuisine, and so much more! Be more than just one of the millions of tourists in Italy when you go with CIS Abroad, as you’ll have the chance to get off the beaten track with our staff’s guidance. Choose from any of our immersive and supportive programs, from a culinary-focused travelling study tour to a summer studying and living alongside locals. Locations include Florence, Rome, Italian Coast (Sorrento), and Cinque Terre Riviera (La Spezia).

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This program offers a strong balance of engaging academics and rich cultural immersion with supportive staff and comfortable housing.

Program Highlights

  • Several sessions to fit any schedule - study for 3 weeks or up to 3 months!
  • Choose from programs in Rome, Italy's capital; Florence, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance; or in Sorrento, on the colorful Amalfi Coast
  • Exceptional support, incredible activities, and options for a wide range of majors
  • Host institutions range from large, English-speaking universities to small study centers focused on language and culture
  • Small class sizes offer great academic engagement and interaction

Video and Photos

Popular Programs

Summer on the Italian Coast - Engineering

Imagine waking up to the scent of lemon, orange, and olive groves -- the sound of bells clinking together from behind the piazza, the Mediterranean splashing against the bluffs, or the buzz of the small seaside city of Sorrento gently drifting through your window. A summer in Southern Italy means trekking the Amalfi Coast, taking a day-trip to the sun-stained villas of Belvedere of Tragara, or exploring the scorched earth of Mt. Vesuvius. During your stay in Sorrento you will be enrolled at the

Summer on the Italian Coast - Engineering

Take an equivalent of Physics II + lab and 1-2 non-engineering courses by day, and retreat to the romantic piazzas or festive restaurants overlooking the sea by night. This program, vetted by the University of Michigan International Engineering Programs, offers you a chance to enjoy the summer abroad while getting ahead in a core class necessary to your engineering degree. Other courses on offer include Italian, international tourism, marketing, archaeology, and sustainability.

View of Florence, Italy

In summer, the streets of Florence come alive with locals and tourists dining outside amidst jaw-dropping architecture, churches, statues, and fountains. Soak in the creative vibes as you study at Florence University of the Arts and live near all the action. To make the most of your time abroad, we’ll quickly immerse you in local Italian and Florentine culture. You’ll tour galleries and famous sites, and you’ll practice Italian as your order your next Tuscan meal—with gelato, of course.

Student in front of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy

Our Summer in Rome program places you at the American University of Rome, located on top of the Janiculum, one of Rome’s highest hills overlooking the city’s historic center. You’ll take innovative classes on a pine tree-studded urban campus, and you can easily explore Rome’s impressive landmarks and ruins. The Colosseum will come alive as you see history first hand. Summer in Rome is abuzz with outdoor markets, festivals, and abundant cultural events.

CIS Abroad Maymester on the Italian Coast

Spend a picturesque Maymester on the southern Italian Coast in Sorrento, Italy! Immerse yourself in Italian culture, food, and history. Study Italian language, literature, or history; or, take a popular intro to Marine Biology class and explore the marina by boat. You’ll create memories to last a lifetime!

Summer on the Italian Cinque Terre Riviera

Spend your summer in La Spezia, a picturesque seaside city with a perfect balance of modern and historic. While studying at a branch campus of Florence University of the Arts, you'll also enjoy easy access to the colorful cliffside villages of the Cinque Terre. Every day can be filled with a walk through the scenic coastal trails, authentic Italian cuisine in local trattorias, and countless other opportunities to immerse yourself in the rich traditions and natural beauty of Italy’s coastline.

CIS Abroad Summer in Italy - Florence & Cinque Terre Riviera

Why limit yourself to just one study abroad destination? This unique two-city program allows you to compare and contrast two fascinating destinations: Florence and the Cinque Terre Riviera (La Spezia). This program offers the best of city life and coastal living, all in one unforgettable summer.

Program Reviews

4.90 Rating
based on 41 reviews
  • 5 rating 90.24%
  • 4 rating 9.76%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.15
  • Support 4.7
  • Fun 4.9
  • Housing 4.55
  • Safety 4.85
Showing 1 - 8 of 41 reviews
Reagan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best summer ever!

Studying abroad in Sorrento with CIS Abroad was truly one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The program took care of everything and made the whole experience smooth and stress-free, from classes and housing to fun weekend trips. Living in Sorrento let me enjoy breathtaking views of the Amalfi Coast, incredible Italian food, and the chance to dive into the local culture every single day. The staff was always helpful, and I made amazing friends from around the world! I feel like this is one of the first times I truly enjoyed going to class and learning!! 100% recommend!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Go with an open mind and be ready to step out of your comfort zone. Try the local food, practice some Italian words, and don’t be afraid to explore new places—even the small streets have something special. Bring good walking shoes, stay flexible with your plans, and say yes to new experiences. Most importantly, enjoy every moment because the time goes by so fast!
Pros
  • Beautiful Location
  • Great support staff
  • Amazing food
Cons
  • Hot weather
  • Lots of walking
55 people found this review helpful.
Aubrey
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Summer on the Italian Coast

I went to Sorrento, Italy this summer and it was the best decision I ever made! I was scared to go on my own but I am so glad I did. I made numerous friends, memories that will last me a lifetime, and go to visit my dream destination! If I had the opportunity to, I would go back in a heartbeat! If anyone is nervous about going, or on the edge of going, the only thing I can say is go! It is a once in a lifetime experience, and you will have the best time of your life. If you want to travel, travel while you can!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
While I was abroad I had the opportunity to take weekend trips to destinations. I would say the most surprising thing I did, was spontaneously book a trip to Croatia for a weekend, and spent the weekend at clubs with my friends, and doing an island boat tour.
Pros
  • Great community
  • Staff is always there for you
  • Very free range to do what you want with your experience
Cons
  • Could be considered expensive for some
60 people found this review helpful.
Payton
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Summer 2025 Study Abroad Experience

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!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice is to definitely make the most of your time! These were some of the fastest 5 weeks of my life and even though I did everything I was hoping to, there was still so much I felt that I wanted to see and experience.
Pros
  • Great location
  • Great staff
  • Amazing culture/locals
Cons
  • None
55 people found this review helpful.
Ashley
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Summer on the Italian Coast

My summer abroad in Sorrento was unforgettable. The program provided a great learning space that balanced academics with plenty of time to explore Italy to its fullest. The staff were incredibly supportive and always available, making the experience smooth and welcoming. Housing was safe, comfortable, and in a perfect location. Between the breathtaking scenery, amazing cultural experiences, and the fun shared with new friends, this program truly offered the best of everything. I would not trade this opportunity for the world. If you are considering traveling abroad, do it!!!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
If you’re thinking about the Summer on the Italian Coast program, I’d say go for it. The balance between classes and free time gives you the chance to really enjoy Italy and see so much beyond Sorrento. Be ready to try new foods, explore hidden spots, and take in every moment. The staff are amazing and make you feel cared for from day one, so you can just focus on the experience. Bring comfortable shoes, keep an open mind, and let yourself enjoy everything this program has to offer.
Pros
  • Incredible support
  • Lots of time to explore
  • Safe environment
Cons
  • Very hot weather in the summer
  • Lots of tourists from May-September
  • Limited academic rigor
57 people found this review helpful.
Isabella
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Summer in Rome 2025

I spent the summer in Rome and had a great time. I took archaeology and art of Rome. I lived in Trastevere which is very safe and a nice neighborhood. Upon arrival at the airport the university staff met me and took me to my apartment, where I met my 6 other roommates. I will warn you, the heat was bad. Bring a fan with you! Opening windows and doors is not enough. The classes were fun and engaging, and it was interesting to compare my home professors to the way the Italian ones at AUR teach content. Overall, it was a good program and I went to Orvieto for my excursion. The only thing I regret is not finding many people to hang out with.

What was your funniest moment?
The tram was packed one afternoon and my stop was approaching. I can't speak Italian, so I was a bit nervous to ask people to move. When the doors opened at my stop, I spoke up and said "Scusi", which is the only Italian I ever used in Rome! And it worked, all the school kids moved and I hopped off.
Pros
  • budget friendly
  • lots of activities nearby
  • safe
Cons
  • lots of roommates
  • no air conditioning
  • navigating by myself
53 people found this review helpful.
Kelly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Summer in Sorrento '25

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. This program truly made my study abroad experience, and I fully believe it would not have been the same otherwise.

53 people found this review helpful.
Maci
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Maymester on the Italian Coast

This was an incredible experience where I got to fully immersive myself in Italian culture and live like a local for 3 weeks. My apartment was in the heart of Sorrento, so as I strolled through the city every morning on the way to class, I began to truly understand their way of life. I also got to experience many other parts of Italy and used this experience to travel to most of the other major cities and navigate the train system. This was truly an enlightening experience like no other that should be taken advantage of. Study abroad is a unique experience. The 3-week program is a good amount of time to spend abroad because it's not too long but not too short.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The most nerve racking moment for me was developing a corneal abrasion when something flew into my eye while watching my last sunset over mt vesuvius. I had an online video chat with an english speaking doctor through the travel insurance program that advised me to seek help immediately. One of my good friends traveled with me and we decided to pack up and take a 2 hour taxi ride to a bigger city hospital in the middle of the night to seek care. This was quite a scary moment because I wasn't sure if I was going to go blind, and the hospital was not helping me out much. After leaving the ER to go to the airport for an early morning flight to Milan, a very kind taxi driver was extremely helpful. He saw my eye patch and said he knew just the place to take me through his broken English. He took me to an eye emergency room that had the proper equipment to treat me. I would not have been able to get through this moment if it wasn't for my good friend helping me through the situation and 2 kind taxi drivers that helped out so much.
Pros
  • beautiful location
  • able to travel to other cities
Cons
  • area is difficult to travel to other cities but possible
60 people found this review helpful.
Laurel
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

July and August in Florence

I had a great time in Florence with CIS Abroad! The support staff was amazing and they planned awesome activities for us. I felt like I really got to know the city while I was there. I also really liked my class - I took magazine editing and publishing with Alessandro at FUA-AUF and it was a super interesting class - so much local culture included in the curriculum! I also loved all the food and different places there were to explore around the city. I always felt like I had something fun to do. I had an amazing time!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would plan my weekend trips more far in advance, possibly before I get to my destination. I would also do more research on my destination before I left.
Pros
  • Delicious food
  • Interesting classes
  • Great support staff and activities
Cons
  • Cleanliness of housing
  • Quiet hours
  • Distance from residence hall to classes
62 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers