CIS Abroad

Genuinely the best semester I have ever had- Martina was amazing and so helpful at any time of day or night, they organized so many things for us and just made this experience so much fun and easy. I fell in love with Florence and made lifelong friendships and people I am already planning to visit and to go back to florence with! Going abroad has changed my perspective on life and what i’m capable of doing myself and i can’t wait to go out into the world and share my experiences with everyone else!

Studying at Sant’Anna Institute through CIS Abroad was an unforgettable experience. I lived in the school dorms, located on the beautiful seaside of Sorrento, Italy. Sorrento has the charm of the Amalfi Coast, with less crowds and tourism. In my classes I studied archeology, volcanology, marine biology, and human rights. We went on amazing field trips such as snorkeling, hiking Mount Vesuvius, and exploring the ancient ruins of Pompeii. In my free time, I swam and read by the beach, which was just a 5 minute walk away from the school. CIS abroad provided incredible excursions throughout the 4 month stay. We experienced cooking classes, kayaking, a street food tour, and even staying in a luxury cave in the third oldest city in the world! Everyone at both Sant’Anna and CIS Abroad was welcoming, helpful, and kind. They truly care about your well being and happiness. I couldn’t recommend this program more. Go to Sorrento, you won’t regret it!

Studying abroad was the best decision I made in my college career. It was such an incredible, eye opening experience that I am so grateful for. I learned so much about my italian heritage and was able to explore and understand the cultures of many different countries throughout Europe. I was in Florence, Italy. The city is truly amazing, it is like walking through living history. The architecture is beautiful, the florentines are welcoming, and there are plenty of other study abroad students and programs that helped me feel at home. CIS Abroad was a great program to be apart of and made this experience so special. My program leaders were very helpful with recommendations for restaurants, cities to visit, etc. and hosted multiple events and activities for the students in our program to meet and bond. I lived in The Social Hub, and overall had a good experience there. It is a dorm style living arrangement with in house laundry, AC (that works closer to what we are used to in the US), a communal kitchen, a meal plan, and some other great amenities like a rooftop bar, a pool, and monthly events/classes to help students get acquainted. FUA (FLorence University of the Arts) was a great school with many course options for almost any field of study. I was able to take courses to complete my degree as well as a bread making class, and a street photography class, which I did for fun (and greatly enjoyed). I reminisce on my study abroad experience constantly and can't wait to find my way back!

The CIS Semester in Florence Program is very special to me. Our program directors, Martina and Romina, made this experience so unique. They were both so supportive and they pushed everyone to try new things, while also looking out for our safety and well being. They planned many fun events for us to get to know the other students in our program, such as walking tours of the city and cooking classes. Martina helped me and my roommates a lot when we were having some roommate issues and were worried about the mental health of one of our roommates. Martina made sure to hear us out and look out for our roommate. She followed up with us a lot and was easily accessible when we needed her. My experience would not have been as wonderful as it was without these amazing program directors who work for CIS.

I would highly recommend the CIS Barcelona Creative Industries Program. Not only is studying abroad a life-changing experience, but this unique program has only added to the amazing experience. My days were filled with learning and exploring the amazing city that is Barcelona. Classes were open and creative, and even the professors would take us on field trips to further learn. Not only was living in Spain amazing the staff on site were very supportive in the whole experience. There were also different excursions including a winery tour, a tour of Blanes, and a trip to the gorgeous Spanish city of Sevilla. So if you want a life-changing experience and one that is even more unique than others you should check out the CIS Barcelona Creative Industries Program.