Location
  • Italy
    • Florence
    • Rome
    • Sorrento
    • Sorrento
Term
Academic Year, Fall, Spring
Subject Areas
Advertising Architecture Art History Arts Business Classical Studies Communications Cultural Studies Design Digital Media Entrepreneurship European Studies Fashion Design Film Finance Food Science and Nutrition Gender Studies Global Studies History Hospitality Human Rights Interior Design International Business International Relations Language Studies Liberal Arts Literature Marketing Natural Sciences Political Science Public Relations Religious Studies Social Sciences Tourism Visual Arts +25

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
Bachelors
Housing
Apartment Dormitory Host Family
Language
Italian

Pricing

Starting Price
14790
Price Details
Price may be an estimate, the lower end of a range, or from a previous term. Please see our website and specific program pages for accurate costs.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Classes Wifi
What's Included (Extra)

Please see our website for all that's included.

Jul 05, 2022
Sep 04, 2022
17 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Italy offers everything you could ever want for a rewarding study abroad experience: a great climate, rich culture, impressive art, tasty cuisine, and so much more! Be more than just one of the millions of tourists in Italy when you go with CIS Abroad, as you’ll have the chance to get off the beaten track with our staff’s guidance. Choose from programs in Rome, Italy's capital; Florence, the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance; or on the colorful Amalfi Coast in quaint Sorrento. All options offer exceptional support, incredible activities, and course options for a wide range of majors. The host institutions range from large, English-speaking universities to small study centers focused on language and culture.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Variety of amazing host cities and academic institutions
  • Courses in English and Italian language at all levels
  • Local cultural activities and excursions
  • Exceptional staff support
  • Small classes with students from the US, Italy, and around the world

Popular Programs

Sorrento, Italy

Study at the Sant’Anna Institute, home to an international community that promotes experiential learning and cross-cultural exploration between faculty, staff, and students. The school sits high atop the cliffs near the colorful Amalfi Coast, overlooking the fishing village of Marina Grande, just a short walk from the café-lined city center where they’ll start to learn your name.

CIS Abroad Semester in Florence - Florence University of the Arts

Live like a local in one of the world’s most popular and timeless destinations. Hit the ground running by participating in a one-week, three-credit traveling Cultural Introduction to Italy course, connecting you with your fellow program participants and your new home country! Study alongside other study abroad students just as excited to experience Italy as you are at Florence University of the Arts, situated throughout downtown Florence.

CIS Abroad Semester in Rome at American University of Rome

Enjoy the services and comforts of a U.S.-style university situated on top of Rome's highest hill in the desirable Trastevere district! You'll study alongside Americans, local Italian students, and other international students from over 40 countries. An active campus social life, immersive cultural activities, and expert staff will help you make the most of every moment.

semester on the italian coast study + intern

Live, study and work on the Amalfi coast in southwestern Italy! Develop your professional skill sets in your field of study, boost your resume, gain practical work experience, and connect with the local community. Choose from unique courses instructed in English, many of which have a local focus (think: History of Italian Food and Culture). With a designated Internship Coordinator and guided reflection along the way, you are sure to progress in your field and future career path.

Scholarships

CISabroad Scholarships

CISabroad Scholarships and Financial Aid

70% of all CISabroad students receive scholarships, grants, or discounts to study abroad. We're unapologetically committed to increasing access to international education for all students.

Value
$250 - $500

Program Reviews

4.81 Rating
based on 43 reviews
  • 5 rating 81.4%
  • 4 rating 18.6%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 3.9
  • Support 4.55
  • Fun 4.55
  • Housing 4.45
  • Safety 4.75
Showing 1 - 8 of 43 reviews
Default avatar
Kaitlyn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Semester On the Italian Coast: Sorrento

I studied abroad at Sant'Anna Institute in Sorrento, Italy for the spring semester! I didn't know anyone else going and was very nervous about making friends and moving to another country I wasn't familiar with and couldn't speak the local language. CIS abroad was more than amazing at making sure every question I had was answered and set me up with support systems both abroad and at home before I even left. They helped me feel prepared and confident I would succeed abroad despite my many concerns. Once on site, the staff at Sant'Anna was also amazing at helping everyone adjust to the Italian lifestyle and learn the differences between Italian and American culture. The school also hosted events to help students get to know each other like cooking classes, guided hikes, movie nights etc. All of the classes were taught in english and the professors wanted to see you suceed. The class schedule was also designed to give students the opportunity to travel on weekends. Sorrento was also an ideal location; it was a small town so the experience was more personable, and less overwhelming for me than living in one of the larger cities. My experience was filled with adventures, new friendships, good food, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Pros
  • Easy to communicate with locals in English (and become friends with them)
  • Small and very safe town
  • Proximity to Positano and the rest of the Amalfi coast
Cons
  • Sorrento's shops were closed for January and most of February; very quiet
  • limited classes to choose from
25 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Grace
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Experience Ever

I went to Italy through CIS Abroad's spring semester in Florence program and I am going to talk about it for the rest of my life :) Since returning home a few months ago, I've been thinking about going back almost every single day- it was quite literally the best four months of my life. Romina, the CIS on-site director, was a huge help throughout the entire semester as she was always available to talk and even planned numerous fun events for CIS students. When I got COVID halfway through the semester, she helped me in finding a doctor as well as a good place to quarantine. I can't imagine someone more qualified to do her job- she's the BEST. Overall, I recommend going to study in Italy through CIS as they're very organized, helpful, and responsive.

Pros
  • Good housing
  • Pre-departure support as well as on-site support
  • I strongly believe Florence is the best place to study abroad :D
22 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lauren
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Sorrento with CIS abroad

I had the BEST time spending the spring semester 2022 in Sorrento, Italy. I learned Italian, made wonderful friends, and went on amazing adventures. CIS really helped with getting the study visa and any covid related questions before I left. I would ABSOLUTELY recommend this program! The food in Sorrento is incredible and the people are very personable. Take the time to introduce yourself to the locals and they will remember your name. Everyone was placed in accommodations walking distance from the school and the school had an amazing ocean view!

Pros
  • Walkable city
  • Safe
  • Good food
Cons
  • Unreliable transportation
  • Far from airport
25 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Mabel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Abroad In Florence, IT during a Pandemic

This experience was amazing as a junior psychology major from Massachusetts. I have been to China and Canada but I have never been to Italy and I am so happy and lucky that I was able to go, even though it was during peak pandemic. My program did its absolute best to provide all the could during this really tough time when a lot of places were closed. I was able to travel throughout Italy, go to Capri, museums, cities, countrysides, and it was all equally as beautiful no matter where I went. If you're going to go abroad definitely use CIS!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
When I came down with COVID while in Florence, I found out that the rules with quarantine are much different than here in the US. CisAbroad helped me so much through my 25 day quarantine process. Though it was very hard, but they helped me communicate with health care professionals, my school, and clarify much needed information. (as well as giving me a get well care package!)
42 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lauren
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

You won't get an experience like this again

This experience was unique because of the location. Sorrento is a small town unlike any other with the breathtaking views, and the community is supportive. I could walk to the beach every day before or after class and easily walk to the grocery store. It was my best pick to have the easiest transition from home to abroad. I felt safe as a woman even walking alone at night. The professors loved the classes they taught, and I got to take an Elementary Italian course which really helped me learn more of the language. One of the best moments of the semester was finally learning enough Italian to be able to order at a restaurant. I could tell the locals were happy that I was trying to fit into their culture. It was AWESOME! This program is great because it checked off all of my boxes. It is very easy to get around and had all the benefits of a big school with a small town authentic Italian feel.

What would you improve about this program?
More (diverse) students attending the school. There were only Americans at the Sant'Anna Institute and I wish there were more international students. In addition, there were only 28 students at the school in total. I wish there were more people from different cultures and more students in general. This would lead to a greater sense of community and allowing for different cultural perspectives. There were few people and this created a sense of loneliness at times.
64 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Andrea
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Sorrento Experience

Sorrento was one of the most beautiful and amazing places I have ever been. I am so happy that I decided to go there because it was a small, immersive town, where we knew all the locals, could practice Italian comfortably and got treated like family there. Sorrento was unique because a lot of people don't know it exist! A lot of my friends who studied abroad picked big cities like Rome or Florence but I think Sorrento was perfect for me because it made me feel safe and comfortable. The view outside your window is a million dollar view and makes you never want to leave. CISabroad was a very good partner program that provided me with a lot of support, especially being someone who has never left the country before and who has a lot of traveling anxiety. They were a great support system and guided me through my journey in Sorrento without being overbearing.

What would you improve about this program?
To improve the program, I suggest better communication about all processes involved in order to actually physically get abroad. The visa process was a pain and we had no warning going into this that it would be that much of a struggle just to get one.
56 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jennifer
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Semester on the Italian Coast - Sorrento (Spring 2019)

In the fall of 2018, I realized I wanted to study abroad. So, after researching a few programs, I decided to study on the Amalfi Coast in Italy! I went through a program called CIS Abroad, who helped me to plan everything - from a basic packing list, to information about the student Visa process, to financial planning!
I loved Sorrento, where Sant'Anna Institute (the abroad school) was located, as it was a very authentic Italian experience; bigger cities such as Rome or Florence tend to be more high-density tourist attractions, which hinder traditional Italian culture. For the semester, I lived in a dorm located in the same building as my classrooms. Sant'Anna provided very safe and clean housing as well as access to kitchen spaces and balconies. The staff helped with any travel questions we had, and the teachers cared deeply about our success as students as well as young travelers.

What would you improve about this program?
I personally found dorm life to be tricky sometimes because certain students would create difficulties for the rest of us, and I wish the Sant'Anna staff had dealt more directly with those students so that arguments could be resolved efficiently rather than lasting the entirety of the semester.
61 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Madison
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Semester in Florence: My Experience

My decision to study abroad was one of best I have ever made; I challenged my comfort zone, gained a global perspective and learned how to become truly independent. One of the biggest contributors to my success abroad was the support system I had from CIS. There were negative and positive aspects to this program, but overall I am very satisfied with my choice.

Molly Bond was a great asset to have during the application process and was able to answer all of my questions and concerns about my visa! I also appreciated that CIS met us at the airport when we first arrived in Italy and arranged transportation to our apartments as it helped make that overwhelming day easier.

I ended up falling in love with the city of Florence instantly. I lived less than a 10 minute walk away from the breathtaking Duomo and the view of the Arno River from my classroom was incredible! I was able to travel to a number of different countries in Europe and cities in Italy such as Rome, Venice, Milan, Sorrento and Pisa and was amazed at the differences between each region! I also made it a priority however to fall in love with my host city and explore as much of Florence as I could. Studying abroad was a life changing experience that I will treasure for the rest of my life.

What would you improve about this program?
I would improve the housing arrangements. Halfway through the semester our washing machine broke and it took almost two weeks for someone to come and fix it. Although I was a 10 minute walk from the Duomo, our apartment was closer to the outskirts of the city rather than the center. At the end of the semester after we had already arrived home, we were charged for windows that we had supposedly broke even though they were out of reach and never been touched by us. We did not think this specific charge was fair.
66 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers