Gina Cerruti, OSIA Scholarship-Summer 2012

Meeting new people has been the most enriching part of this experience. I live with my new Italian mamma, Maria, who won't stop feeding me. Even now she is calling me to the kitchen for lunch, which will surely include four courses of pasta, meat, salad and fruit!!! In class I have studied with people from Japan, Norway, Sweden, Austria, France, Finland, Australia, Spain, Switzerland, Canada, and Guatemala. There are also many students from all over the United States who come to take courses at SASL that range from beginning Italian language to Italian Cinema and Archeology. The teachers are all extremely energetic and motivated to teach, most of them have the ability to teach numerous disciplines. Together we make SASL a fun and exciting place to learn and grow.

 

 

 

Below his comments about Sorrento and Sorrento Lingue...

My experience at Sorrento Lingue has been unforgettable. I arrived iin January and
stayed until June with a host-family in the nearby village of Piano di Sorrento.
Through the family I was able to meet many of their friends and indulge in the 
spectacular local cuisine. 

I found it easy to move around the area either by bus, by train or by the bike that I rented.
The weather remained warm the entire time with a winter characterized only by more rain. 
How else do you expect them to cultivate all the citrus fruits and fresh vegetables that are enjoyed
there all year 'round? Sorrento is a central location for exploring the natural and
historic wonders of Campania: the unique Amalfi Coast, the islands of Ischia and
Capri, the Royal Palace of Caserta, and the ruins of Pompeii, Herculaneum and
Paestum.

The spacious and gorgeous school, which overlooks the Marina Grande of Sorrento,
provided an environment conducive to learning. The staff was very helpful and
readily available and my teachers were always friendly and well-prepared. My routine
consisted of lessons in the morning and an interesting activity or excursion in the
afternoon. I will always remember the trip I took to the historic center of Naples
with my classmates and teacher Nunzia for a "vera pizza napoletana" and a visit to
the San Severo Chapel. At the school I was fortunate to meet a variety of other
people from all over the globe (many Italians also). I can always keep in touch with
my friends, teachers and host family from Sorrento Lingue, but I will miss for sure
the view of Mount Vesuvius across the Bay of Naples that I admired every day. 

Below the comment of Mary Deri (Ohio) winner for 2008.

The six months I spent learning Italian at Sorrento Lingue is an experience 
that grows in significance to me personally as time passes: it was more than 
the continued acquisition of a language, but the discovery of beautiful nuances 
of a new town, culture, and passion. This started with the geography: as an 
American, I had never experienced a single Italian city for more than a few 
days, and having the opportunity to interact with its citizens academically and 
socially for months afforded me the possibility to appreciate the richness that 
all facets of Sorrento has to offer. This includes the surrounding areas; after 
my lessons, I was able to take day trips to Pompei, Herculaneum, Positano, and 
Capri, and even weekend trips to Rome, Florence, Ischia, and Procida. 

On just my first day at Sorrento Lingue, I felt embraced by a new family: the 
office was the extremely welcoming and seemingly all-knowing organizational 
backbone – I felt very comfortable asking them any questions (about specific 
school arrangements or even recommendations for lunch). Furthermore, I attended 
daily lessons in the morning, and through that time the close attention I 
received from my teachers fostered a strong bond between us. Not only did I 
value the knowledge that was imparted on me in respect to Italian by a native, 
but I could also see that all of the Italian teachers were generally proud of 
my continued success as it was a product of their instruction and my diligence 
and dedication. 

Learning Italian at Sorrento Lingue is more than the continued acquisition of 
a language – the advantage of being in Italy and being taught by native 
Italians allows students to grasp not only the grammatical and cultural 
components which are essential to acquiring a second-language, but also the 
passion that emanates from a motivated educator in her or her native language. 
It is difficult to determine a price on the value of a study abroad experience, 
especially when it involves a school filled with dedicated educators and staff 
situated in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I am thankful to the 
Order Sons of Italy for allowing me the possibility to partake in one of the 
most meaningful and beneficial experiences of my life.