Forever a Sorrentina: My Experience in Italy Past Review
By Christina B (European Studies/Italian/Spanish, University of Delaware) for
Sant'Anna Institute: Sorrento - Live, Learn and Immerse in Italy
YES! I didn't think it was possible to learn so much Italian in two months. My dream of being fluent in Italian will definitely come thanks to Sorrento Lingue!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The staff at Sorrento Lingue make class engaging, fun, and extremely educational. I had only studied Italian for one semester before going to Italy and they basically taught me all the Italian I know - which is a lot! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Strengths: teaching methods, small class sizes, school hosted activities, and Sorrento's accessibility to other parts of Italy! This program exceeded my expectations! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family's apartment was bout 20 minutes from Sorrento Lingue and 10 minutes form the center of town. My host family truly embraced me as one of their own. |
| * Food: |
I don't eat meat, so it took about a week or so before my host family understood that meat includes prosciutto. Once they understood, however, they gladly accommodated my dietary needs. I would definitely recommend choosing the meal plan with the host family because not only is it cheap, but it's some of the best food around! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We traveled to Capri, Naples, Pompeii, Vesuvius, Rome, Ischia, Paestum, and Baia. In Sorrento itself we got to tour a Limoncello factory and a Gelateria. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Sorrento is very safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I lived with a host family who knew little English, so I used Italian a lot. Many people do know English, but if you tell them that you study Italian then they will most likely speak Italian to you. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | DO IT! |
