Sant'Anna Institute
Fall Semester Elective 2025
12 - 15 credits

SAI students at Sant’Anna Institute spend a semester integrating themselves into the small beachside town for an unforgettable experience. Semester students are encouraged to enroll in one Italian language course, as well as 3 to 4 elective courses from the variety of course offerings, for a total of 12 - 15 credits. Students can also choose to complete a part-time 3-credit internship alongside regular coursework. Motivated students also have the option of enrolling in the Honors Research Semester, for a deeper dive into a particular subject.


Application open until: May 15, 2025

Application Requirements
Complete online application
Personal statement (300-500 words)
Official transcript
Passport scan (photo page)
Italian privacy consent form

Highlights

  • Complete an internship alongside coursework
  • Participate in course-related field trips and service learning projects

Program Dates
August 31, 2025 – December 13, 2025


Eligibility Requirements

Age: 18+

Academic Year: High school graduate or above.

Cumulative GPA:* 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale)

* contact SAI if you don’t meet requirements



Coming soon

Academic Internship
Semester students can apply for a part time 3 credit or 6 credit internship to be completed as part of their elective program. Students are placed in internships that complement their major or minor, and are supported by ongoing reflective coursework. At the completion of the internship students produce an analytical paper that synthesizes what they have learned. Please note that there is an additional fee for completing an internship. For more information on internships see SA Internships.

Part-Time Internship Application Requirements
Students wishing to participate in a part-time internship during their program should select the Internship program add-on at application, and complete the following additional application items:

  • SA internship application; emailed once the SAI application is received.
  • Resume and cover letter
  • 2 letters of recommendation (professional or academic)
  • Skype interview

Service Learning & Volunteer
Sant’Anna Institute holds service learning as a pillar of academic excellence. SA offers several courses with an optional service-learning component. Courses are intimately connected to the needs of various aspects of the community; they work in tandem with the community to create new ideas and new visions for future improvement. Service learning projects allow students to apply what they learn in the classroom in a professional manner, which develops their skills and gives back to their host community. For more information on volunteer work see SA Service Learning & Volunteer.

Courses & Schedule
SA courses run Monday – Friday, and students take one language course and various electives. Students complete their course registration during the SAI application process by selecting their primary course choices as well as required alternate courses. Academic year students complete course registration after submitting their application. Course schedules are confirmed 4 weeks prior to the program start.

Academic Year Program
Motivated students can enroll in back-to-back Fall and Spring terms to create a full Academic Year program. This combination program is offered at a discount, and allows students ample time to be fully immersed in Sorrento and Italy. Students enrolled in the Academic Year program move out of SAI housing between terms, for independent travel. Students interested in this program should contact their SAI Admissions Counselor.

The Honors Research Semester is designed for ambitious and motivated students who wish to deepen their research skills in an international context while focusing on relevant global issues. Students develop and execute on-site projects, working alongside Sant’Anna Institute’s faculty, which culminate in a final paper or publication. No previous research experience is required, and all majors are invited to apply.

There are five project areas that students may choose from:

  • Project 1: Criminology: Organized Crime in Italy from a Historic Perspective
  • Project 2: Gender Studies: Gender-based Violence in Italy
  • Project 3: Human Rights: Field Research on Migrants and Refugees
  • Project 4: Marine Biology: Field Research Project at the Marine Protected Area of Punta Campanella ($250 supplemental fee)
  • Project 5: Italian Literature: Dante’s “Comedy” in the Contemporary Culture (advanced Italian language required)

Program Structure & Courses
All students participating in the Honors Research Semester will complete the following:

  • 45-hour supervised research project
  • 45-hour optional service learning project (see below)
  • 2 elective courses* (6 credits)
  • 1 Italian language course (3 credits)
  • 1 project elective (3 credits)

Project electives are courses related to the student’s chosen project area. They are History of the Mafia (project 1), Human Rights (project 2), Women’s & Gender Studies (project 3), Marine Conservation (project 4), and Medieval Italian Literature I: Dante (project 5).

*One elective course may be substituted for a 3-credit international internship: SA Internships.

Eligibility & Application
All SAI Sorrento students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher are invited to participate in the program. All majors are welcome and no previous research experience is required. To apply, you will be asked to submit the following additional items:

  • Academic letter of recommendation.
  • Cover letter detailing your goals and motivation for participating in the program.

Pre-Departure Calendar
May 15 2025
Application Closes
Applications accepted after closing as space permits.
Within 1 week of acceptance
SAI Deposits Due
$500 Enrollment Deposit (applied toward program fee)
$300 Security Deposit (refundable)
May 1 2025
50% of Total Program Fee Due
Students who are accepted and submit SAI deposits after this date will have an amended pay schedule. 50% of the Program Fee will be due within 5 business days, based on the deposit payment date.
May 15 2025
Financial Aid Agreement & Financial Aid Program Deposit Deadline
Students wishing to utilize SAI financial aid payment deferment must complete the Financial Aid Agreement form and submit the Financial Aid Program Deposit by this date. Students whose deposit payment date is on or after this date will have a deadline of 5 days after the deposit.
May 29 2025
Enrollment Closes
Students must complete their enrollment, including paying deposits, by this date.
June 1 2025
SAI Scholarship Application Deadline
Students wishing to apply for a SAI scholarship must have all application items submitted by 11:59pm Pacific Time on this date.
June 15 2025
SAI Financial Aid Verification Deadline
Students wishing to defer payment until financial aid disbursement must submit the financial aid verification form to SAI by this date.
July 1 2025
Balance of Total Program Fee Due
(For students utilizing SAI financial aid payment deferment, any balance not covered by aid is due)

On-site Calendar
August 31 2025
Arrival & Housing Check-in
Students arrive at Naples International Airport (NAP). SAI airport pickup is provided between 9:00am and 5:00pm, and students are transferred to SAI housing.
September 1 2025
SA Academic Orientation & Welcome Events
SA academic orientation is followed by a walking tour of Sorrento and a group meal.
September 1 2025
Classes Begin
October 18 – 26 2025
Fall Break (no class)
December 12 2025
Final Exams
December 13 2025
Program End & Housing Check-out
Students must move out of housing by 10:00am to return home or pursue independent travel.
SAI Program Fees* USD
Application Fee $120
Security Deposit
Refundable at the end of the term.
$300
Program Fee: Fall Semester
Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What's Included).
Coming soon
Optional / Additional Fees:  
Program Add-On: Part-Time Internship
Required for students participating in a part-time internship.
Coming soon
Program Add-On: Honors Research Semester – Marine Biology
Required for students participating in the Marine Biology Honors Research Semester.
Coming soon
Optional Private Room Housing Supplement
Private room in a shared apartment or dorm.
Coming soon
Optional Off-Campus Dorm Housing Supplement: Shared
Shared room in off-campus dorm, includes 60 breakfasts and dinners.
Coming soon
Optional Homestay Housing Supplement – Shared
Live with a local Italian host family in a bedroom shared with another student, includes breakfast and dinner daily.
Coming soon
Optional Homestay Housing Supplement – Private
Live with a local Italian host family in a private bedroom, includes breakfast and dinner daily.
Coming soon
International Mailing Supplement
Students residing outside the U.S. are charged an international mailing supplement to ensure visa paperwork arrives in a timely manner.
$90

*prices are subject to change

Note: certain SAI-affiliated US universities require specific payment arrangements. These may require that some fees are paid by the student directly to SAI, and other fees are paid to SAI by the affiliated university on behalf of the student. If you attend a SAI-affiliated university please contact your study abroad office or speak with your SAI Admissions Counselor for details.

Budget Low Est. High Est.
Airfare to/from Naples
$900 $1,800
Visa Fees
Visa and Permit to Stay Fees.
$250 $275
Books, Supplies & Course Fees $25 / course $50 / course
Meals
Combination of cooking at home and eating out.
$600 / month $1,000 / month
Personal Expenses $250 / month $350 / month
Transportation within Sorrento area
Public transportation with some taxi rides.
$50 / month $100 / month
Weekend Travel
Cost varies greatly by student.
$300 / month $1,000 / month

This is a SAI 360° Services Program; it includes our full services!

  • Program tuition and U.S. academic credit
  • Accommodation in carefully selected student housing
  • Airport pickup on arrival day
  • Welcome reception and events
  • Orientation to the host city and school
  • On-site staff who foster a welcoming community and provide assistance when needed
  • SAI Viva Experience: cultural engagement, excursions & wellness activities
  • Student health insurance providing full coverage and medical emergency evacuation
  • 24-hour on-site emergency support
  • Farewell event

Pre-departure and Re-entry services

  • Knowledgeable Admissions Counselor dedicated to you, providing friendly assistance
  • Helpful pre-departure tools and resources
  • Parent & family resources
  • Online student groups to acquaint you with other SAI students
  • Student visa advising
  • Assistance with financial aid processing
  • Need-based SAI scholarships
  • Alumni Ambassador Program, with paid internship opportunities
  • SAI alumni network

SAI offers all students the Viva Experience: frequent cultural activities, at no extra cost, for participants to get to know their community, city and country. Following is a sample of the activities included in this program. Please note that actual activities may differ.

Welcome Event
All students are invited to a typical Italian meal welcoming them to the program and their host city.

Welcome Tour of Sorrento
Students tour Sorrento, including stops at popular shops, supermarkets, and places of entertainment, as well as important landmarks such as main squares, post offices, bus stops and taxi stands.

Gelato Making Workshop
Learn to make gelato, a frozen Italian dessert known and celebrated around the world.

Coffee Factory Visit
Tour an artisanal coffee factory that has provided Sorrento with traditional Neapolitan coffee for over 100 years.

Hike to Ieranto Bay
Take in breathtaking views of the crystalline waters and dramatic cliffs as you hike to the Bay of Ieranto, a rocky cove in the Marine Protected Area.

Farewell Event
After classes are over students and staff share in a celebratory final meal to reflect and say goodbyes.

Standard Housing: Student dorm or apartment
Standard housing includes a shared occupancy room in the student dorm or in a shared student apartment. Dorm housing is assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis with limited availability. All SAI housing in Sorrento is equipped with basic furniture, towels and bed linens, wireless Internet, and air conditioning. Students have access to kitchen facilities, comfortable common areas, and washing machines.

Optional Housing: Family homestay (additional fee applies)
Students choosing the homestay option will be placed with a local family, which could be an older married couple or a family with children. Homestay families are typically within a short walking distance to the school. The homestay option includes breakfast and dinner 7 days a week in a shared occupancy room (upgrade to a private bedroom available).

Optional Housing: Off-campus dorm (additional fee applies)
Students choosing the off-campus dorm option will be placed in a shared bedroom in a student dorm located approximately 20 minutes from campus. This housing option does not include access to a kitchen, but includes 60 breakfasts and 60 dinners served by the dorm’s cafeteria (vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options available) with the option to purchase additional meal vouchers as needed.

Passports
Passports should be valid for 3 months after planned departure from Italy.

Student Visas
In accordance with Italian law, students studying in Italy for 91 days or more are required to obtain a student visa. Those with Italian/EU citizenship are exempted. Non-US nationals should consult their local Consulate for information on student visa requirements.

Depending on the consulate, students will either mail in their student visa application or appear in person to present their application to the consulate. Our Student Visa Office is available to assist students in preparing for the appointment; SAI Student Visa Consulting is part of the SAI 360° Services included in the program fee. SAI Student Visa Processing Service is available for select consulates only, for an additional fee.