My Summer Studying and Working in Italy: Sorrento, Naples, and Everything in Between

This past summer, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Sorrento, Italy, while also gaining hands-on work experience through an internship at Logogramma, an AI startup based in Naples. Looking back, it feels like an experience that truly shaped me both personally and professionally. From the friendships I made to the cultural insights I gained, it was a summer full of growth, learning, and connection. I chose CIS Abroad’s program because it offered not only funding opportunities, but also strong support through cultural activities, preparation resources, and guidance while abroad.

Sorrento was as beautiful as I imagined. The weather was warm and sunny almost every day. Walking through the colorful streets, enjoying fresh seafood by the coast, and simply sitting by the water with friends became part of my everyday life. Beyond the scenery, what stood out most to me was the community I found. I made so many friends through my program and from Italy itself. I practiced speaking Italian every day, sometimes with locals at the market and sometimes with my peers during group excursions.

By the end of the program, I felt much more confident communicating in a language that had once felt intimidating. A major part of my experience was my internship at Logogramma in Naples. Logogramma is a small team working at the intersection of natural language processing, articial intelligence, and language learning. Their mission to make digital communication more accessible and intelligent really resonated with me.

During my time there, I worked on projects related to branding, user experience design, and competitor research. I explored ways to improve the company’s online presence using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, while also focusing on how design and usability could better reflect Logogramma's vision and values. What stood out to me the most about Logogramma was the team. Everyone was driven and collaborative, and there was a clear sense of shared purpose in their work. Being surrounded by people who care about what they do inspired me to look for more mission driven and creative workspaces in the future.

One part of my summer that I had not expected to appreciate as much as I did was the commute itself. Traveling from Sorrento to Naples each day gave me a real sense of navigating public transportation in a new place. It taught me patience and flexibility, but also helped me find small joys in everyday moments. Naples became a city I grew to love, with its energy, vibrant streets, and incredible food. The pizza truly does live up to the reputation, and the city’s rhythm is something I will always remember.

Between the sunshine, the food, the professional growth, and the friendships, my summer in Italy gave me so much more than I could have imagined. It was not just about gaining new skills but about learning how to move through new environments with curiosity and openness. I am grateful for every part of it and look forward to carrying these experiences with me wherever I go next.

View all study abroad programs in Italy here!