Studying in Sorrento: Learning Beyond the Classroom Past Review

By Emily C (Architecture, SUNY - College of Technology at Alfred (Alfred State University)) for

Sant'Anna Institute: Sorrento - Live, Learn and Immerse in Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

My study abroad experience was definitely worthwhile. I have learned so much about Italian culture, and it has made me appreciate things both here and at home in the United States.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	I loved the Italian and Archaeology courses. The professors are fantastic. In addition I feel like I learned a lot simply living in Italy and traveling to so many different cities and countries.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Things seemed a little unorganized from Alfred State, especially preparing for Sorrento in the Fall semester. Even here, plans frequently changed at the last minute. However the program is still fairly young so hopefully those things are being straightened out.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	The apartment was very nice. It was clean and modern and had a lot of amenities. The only thing that took a lot of getting used to was the lack of privacy, especially with the thin walls common in old Italian buildings.
* Food:	As it would be expected, the food is fantastic. Syrenuse and Bar Veneruso were two of my favorite restaurants. Also the supermarket and small grocery stores have a wide variety of foods to cook at home.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	The field trips were fantastic. The Archaeology course does trips to Pompeii, Herculaneum, Oplontis, MANN, Vesuvius, and the Campi Flegrei. Alfred State went on a 3 day trip Rome. It's also really easy to travel throughout Europe while you are here and I definitely recommend it. I spent weekends in Barcelona, Paris, London, Cork, Edinburgh, Florence, and Venice and didn't break the bank for a single one. I will never have the opportunity again to see so many places in such a short time.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	Sorrento feels very safe and comfortable. I've never been worried about being pick pocketed or walking around alone. We received international health insurance through the school, but I have not had to use it.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget? (1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?
Language acquisition improvement?	Most people in Sorrento do speak English. I usually tried to speak Italian at restaurants, the supermarket, etc. Sometimes the people responded to me in English anyway, but it's always good practice to try.