Milford Resident, Student at WNE, Katelyn Griffin Studies in Sorrento, Italy

Katelyn Griffin from Milford, CT was among seventeen Western New England University students who traveled to Sorrento, Italy for three weeks this summer to immerse themselves in the study of Italian culture.

The students were accompanied by Professional Educator of Communication Brenda Garton-Sjoberg, Director of the Sorrento Study Abroad Program, and Professor of Psychology Dennis Kolodziejski. Also accompanying the group was Professor of Neuroscience Sheralee Tershner. Griffin enrolled in two Western New England University courses, Business Communication, taught by Professor Garton-Sjoberg, and Italian Culture, taught by a professor from the Sant'Anna Institute, WNE's international partner school in the study abroad program.

Students describe the Sorrento Study Abroad Program as "life changing," as they implemented international travel skills and experienced global business practices while studying and living in Italy.

"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to study abroad with Sant' Anna Institute," said Griffin a junior Marketing major. "I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to learn about its rich history and experience this beautiful culture. Thank you for this amazing experience, this trip is truly one I will never forget!"

Tours, guest lectures, and site visits allowed students to learn beyond the classroom as they studied the Italian culture and business communication taught in the class. Throughout their stay, students had the opportunity to participate in various activities, such as making their own gelato, cooking an authentic Italian dinner, and touring the world-famous Amalfi Coast. In addition, they visited Naples, Pompeii Ruins, Villa Rufolo, Capri Island, Positano, Ravello, and the Royal Palace of Caserta. They immersed themselves in the Italian lifestyle with lectures from experts at olive oil and lemon farms, a mozzarella cheese factory, and a specialty coffee business.

"It is extremely rewarding to take students on this study abroad trip every summer. These three-weeks provide transformative educational experiences to see students grow and learn more about themselves as they learn about a new culture in another country," said Professor Garton-Sjoberg. "These life-changing lessons in world-famous site visits provide instruction that could never be taught from a textbook or in a classroom. Besides lectures at our partner school, the classroom setting is every time students step outside into the beloved Italian culture. The entire region is their campus."

This unique learning opportunity for students to attend Western New England University's Study Abroad Program at the Sant'Anna Institute is made possible through the longstanding partnership between the two schools. This was Western New England University's 5^th trip to Sorrento, Italy.