Study in Sorrento! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

As a student from a rigorous liberal arts college, I did not find the academics very intense or time-consuming, but I felt analytically challenged because we read authentic and rich texts. Furthermore, I found the selection of works to be superb, although I wish we would have read more of each of the works because they are so rich and important in the history of Western thought. Also, professor Domenico Palumbo is awesome!

On-site administration of your program

The on-site administration was communicative and provided many opportunities for group excursions and activities in Sorrento and the surrounding area

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with an amazing host family. The only thing that was an inconvenience was the fact that there was no air conditioning and it was July. That is more so a cultural difference between America and Italy than a reflection of the quality of my living arrangements, however.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Sorrento is a very tourist-centered town, so I sometimes found it difficult to be thoroughly immersed in the Italian culture, although I believe that if you put yourself out there, there are plenty of opportunities to experience cultural immersion.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

All of the elements that I liked about the program in selecting it - the location in a small town in southern Italy, the opportunity to take classes in Italian, and living with a host family - were delivered upon in the program. Sant'Anna Institute almost always met or exceeded my expectations, and I am very satisfied with my choice.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I spent a slightly larger amount of money for souvenirs and food, but you can get a good meal for 7 euros, which is quite cheap.

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

The vast majority of students did not speak Italian, but I tried to immerse myself in the language as much as possible by taking classes in Italian, speaking Italian when going out, and practicing Italian with my host family.

Select all that apply

• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Americans

• Host family
• Opportunities to participate in events and trips through the Sant'Anna Institute
• Academics in a relaxed environment

• Emphasis on cultural immersion (although I realize the Institute cannot control the fact that most of its students do not speak any Italian)
• Communication pre-departure (I did not find out about my host family until 2 weeks before I left, and although the problem was resolved satisfactorily, I was placed in a different course from the one I had selected without being informed, and only found out through inquiring two weeks before departure)