Sant'Anna Institute
Why choose Sant'Anna Institute?
Sant'Anna's goal is to prepare, encourage, and support international students to become engaged global citizens. We are dedicated to academic achievement within an engaging and authentic Italian community. Santa Institute was established in 1998 as Sorrento Lingue and began hosting faculty-led programs with American colleges a few years later. We collaborate closely with the State University of Ne...
Sant'Anna's goal is to prepare, encourage, and support international students to become engaged global citizens. We are dedicated to academic achievement within an engaging and authentic Italian community. Santa Institute was established in 1998 as Sorrento Lingue and began hosting faculty-led programs with American colleges a few years later. We collaborate closely with the State University of New York Alfred State College, our regionally accredited partner in the United States, to provide students with a broad selection of academic courses. We are a global community where academics, staff, and students regularly exchange cultures. A short stroll from the center, we are housed in a striking old building built on Amalfi coast cliffs and overlooking the fishing community of Marina Grand...
Sant'Anna Institute Reviews
Hear what past participants have to say about the programs
Overall Rating
Total Reviews
I miss Italy!
September 05, 2025by: Kaitlyn Nguyen - United StatesProgram: Sorrento: Spring Semester 2025One of the things I loved most about Italy was how seamlessly history, culture, and daily life are intertwined. Whether walking through ancient ruins in Pompeii, admiring wine windows and art in Florence, or sitting at a café in a small town, there’s a sense of living history that surrounds you. Italians also have such a beautiful way of prioritizing connection, the meals aren’t rushed but enjoyed, conversations stretch late into the night, and there’s a clear emphasis on savoring life. That combination of cultural richness and genuine warmth made every day feel meaningful and memorable. More specifically, in Sorrento, what stood out to me most was the breathtaking scenery and the welcoming spirit of the community. The views of the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius never got old, and the lemon groves and colorful streets gave the town a charm that felt uniquely its own. Beyond the scenery, though, it was the slower pace and the hospitality of the people that made Sorrento feel like home. I loved the way locals would remember your face after just a couple of visits, and how there was always time for a smile or a small conversation. It gave me a sense of belonging in a place that was so different from where I came from. Overall, Italy taught me the value of slowing down and truly appreciating the beauty in both extraordinary and everyday moments, and Sorrento was the perfect reflection of that lesson.


The five most life changing and adventurous weeks of my life!
September 03, 2024by: Britain MeyersProgram: Sorrento: Spring Semester 2025Studying abroad in Sorrento was a one in a lifetime opportunity that I would recommend to anyone. The experience was so impactful and I was able to learn so much about myself and Italy’s language, cuisine, culture, etc. If I got the chance to go again, I would in a heart beat.
I loved studying abroad!
August 29, 2024by: Anika Woelffer - United StatesProgram: Sorrento: Spring Semester 2025I recently just got back from studying abroad in Sorrento, Italy and I couldn't recommend it more. It was the absolute best place to go abroad and I miss it every day. Sorrento is a small town on the coast of Southern Italy and has the best views of Naples and the Islands of Ischia and Capri. I had no expectations of what my experience would be like but it truly was the best thing I could have done for myself. One of the biggest things I did was become a Jetsetter through my program, Academic Studies Abroad. As a Jetsetter, I had bi-weekly reflection posts where I had to dive deep into Italian culture. It impacted my experience drastically because I was able to be fully immersed in the culture and learn to appreciate it. Sorrento was the most beautiful place I've ever been to and couldn't recommend studying abroad more!


Sant'Anna Institute Programs
Browse programs you might like
Spend your summer in Sorrento! Program Dates: Summer I: June 1-July 5, 2025 March 1st, 2025: Application deadline June 1st (Sunday): Arrival a...
Spend a semester in Sorrento! Walk down to the marina between classes, wander the charming streets, and experience the true spirit of local life...
Spend a semester in Sorrento! Take in the Mediterranean breeze as you walk to class, stroll through Sorrento’s charming streets, and connect wit...
We welcome new partnerships with foreign faculty members. Foreign faculty members teach core curriculum courses while Sant'Anna provides instruct...
Interviews
Read interviews from alumni or staff

Serena Vacca
Interviewed in 2014
Serena studied Modern Language and Literature at University of Naples "Federico II" and also studied a semester abroad in Bristol (UK) at the Universi...

Serena Vacca
Interviewed in 2014
What inspired you to travel abroad?
I had also studied abroad, which opened and broadened my mind and my view of the world. After graduating, I desired to work in a field that put into practice my language skills, and I was fortunate enough to come across Sant’Anna, which was the perfect match! I became the Assistant Program Coordinator where I help coordinate both the study abroad as well as the Italian language programs that Sant'Anna offers.

Dr. Cristiana Panicco
Interviewed in 2014
Cristiana grew up in Turin in the north of Italy, where she started studying languages at the age of 13. Her passion for international cultures was fu...

Dr. Cristiana Panicco
Interviewed in 2014
What inspired you to travel abroad?
I had a curiosity to discover a different culture and to meet different people. When I lived there I avoided Italian interactions, like Italian restaurants and even Italian people. I really just wanted to immerse myself with the locals, listening to what they said and observing the way their culture was. Especially in England, I was really lucky because I lived in a flat with an international group of students (from Iran, Sweden, England, and France), our dinners every evening were diverse and enlightening. I probably would have never had the idea to open the school if I hadn't had those experiences.

Justin Smith
Participated in 2012
Justin Smith is from Cincinnati, Ohio. He is an avid soccer fan and in his leisure time he enjoys photography, film, travel, and eating.

Justin Smith
Participated in 2012
I had always wanted to study abroad during university, but I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to make it work for a whole semester. My major required that I study abroad, but it could be for as short as ten days. Some things changed and the opportunity became available to study for a whole semester, so I jumped on it.
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Awards
Check out awards and recognitions Sant'Anna Institute has received


