WNE Student Carolyn Mills Studies in Sorrento, Italy

2023 Jul 24

Carolyn Mills from Westport, CT was among eighteen 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. Accompanying the group was Brandon O'Brien, President of WNE's Alumni Association and College of Business adjunct professor.

Mills enrolled in two 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 experienced international travel skills and global business practices while studying and living in Italy.

"I've had the luxury of immersing myself in Southern Italy's rich culture over the past three weeks, including seeing the differences between the business climates in Italy and America. I was able to explore awe-inspiring destinations that I never imagined I would have the chance to experience," said Mills a junior Marketing Communication and Advertising major. "Each city we explored left me speechless with its breathtaking views. Every moment spent in these locations felt surreal, prompting me to reflect, 'This is incredible! I can't believe this is my reality right now. These are lessons that textbooks and classrooms can't teach.' This trip has been an invaluable source of knowledge and personal growth, allowing me to learn not only about the local culture but also about myself as an individual. Undoubtedly, this adventure marks a pivotal milestone in my life, as it was my first international flight and an opportunity that may not come my way again."

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 classes. 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, Amalfi, 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 discover a different 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 a longstanding partnership between the two schools. This was Western New England Universities' 6^th trip to Sorrento, Italy.