Perfect location, supportive program, academically laid-back July 27, 2025
By Ardelia D (English, Brandeis University) - abroad from 06/01/2025 to 07/04/2025 with
Sant'Anna Institute: Sorrento - Live, Learn and Immerse in Italy
I was able to experience a new culture, immerse myself in history, and connect with really great people.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Sant'Anna provided lots of resources, the courses were interesting, and because of the 5-week semester, more fast-paced than a normal semester. On the other hand, the courses were not that challenging. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everyone who works at Sant'Anna is so friendly and welcoming! I had a great experience with all of the administrators. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The accommodations were very nice, but, fair warning, the apartments do not look like the photos on the website. My room was quite a bit smaller than I expected, and there was no desk. |
| * Food: |
I wasn't on the meal plan, but there were lots of grocery stores close to my apartment that had affordable food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Sant'Anna provides opportunities to connect with local culture, but because of the touristy nature of the city, students will need to actively seek opportunities to integrate themselves. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I needed to visit a doctor in the first week of my program. The information to schedule an appointment and find the office was easily accessible in the program's app. In the doctor's appointment, I was able to get what I needed, but it was a very short (less than 5 minute) meeting. |
| * 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) |
Because much of Sorrento is tourist-oriented, it can be expensive, but there are cheap transportation and food options (which Sant'Anna will help you find, if you sign up for their information sessions). |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | €150 |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That the apartment-style housing varies from location to location. It doesn't look like the photos on the website. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
