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. 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.

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, that culminate in a final paper or publication. No previous research experience is required, and all majors are invited to apply.

There are four 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 (adv. 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

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.

*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.

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 for you 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 private occupancy bedroom  in the student dorm or in a shared student apartment. Dorm housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis with limited availability. Housing configurations are designated as female, male, and in some locations, gender-inclusive. 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.

Students must appear in person at the Italian Consulate to present their student visa application. Our Student Visa Office is available to assist students in getting ready for the appointment; SAI provides student visa consulting for all our students at no cost.