Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Loved Sorrento December 05, 2024

By (Elon University) - abroad from 08/24/2024 to 12/12/2024 with

SAI Study Abroad: Sorrento - Sant'Anna Institute (SA)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I definitely learned about the Italian culture and how it differs from America.

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.

The courses were definitely different than those I take in the US. The classes were a lot easier with a lot less work.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in Villa Sama. I really liked it but I hated how far it was from both campus and the center. It would be great if some form of transportation could be provided to campus

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I never once felt unsafe.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I loved being in Sorrento. The town was very welcoming for the most part and I met so many great people. It was very safe and lots of fun. The worst parts of my trip were the fact that everything closed in November so the last two months our options were limited, my housing (Villa Sama) was so far from town, it was always a chore to leave, and how late we stayed.

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)

It was a lot more expensive than expected.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Community
  • Friends
  • Experience
* What could be improved?
  • Length- program was a bit too long (lots of us have talked and agreed on this)
  • Seasons- I think the program should be moved forward a few weeks. Because everything closes in Sorrento in the winter, it was much more lonely in the last two months.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That the winter gets really cold and everything closes in November.