Author: Charlee Scruggs | Major: Biology | Semester: Summer 2025

Positano, Italy was a short ferry ride away from Sorrento, Italy. On a free day without class, I loved seeing the iconic Positano coastline.

Overtime, I have discovered learning occurs just as much out of the classroom as in the classroom. This summer, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Sorrento, Italy near the Amalfi Coast for five weeks. At the Sant’Anna Institute, I took the Introduction to Marine Biology and History of Italian Food and Culture courses. I knew Italy was the ideal study abroad location for me because as a biology major and nutrition minor, I was able to gain a first-hand perspective of the critical-thinking skills that can develop from learning a new topic while experiencing my surroundings instead of learning and experiencing separately. The location of the university was almost directly on the water which allowed for a more hands-on experience geographically than would be possible at the University of Arkansas. The class format consisted of weekly lectures that were followed by corresponding field trips. Instead of simply seeing a picture of marine life on slides, the marine biology course was able to take learning to the next level with a field trip to Ieranto Bay. The trip began with a rocky hike down to the bay with scenic ocean views followed by snorkeling and kayaking. While snorkeling, I was able to observe organisms such as algae, octopi, and sea cucumbers up close. The field trip provided a unique experience which emphasized the course theme of studying how marine organisms interacted with each other and their environment. Additionally, in the History of Italian Food course, the class visited a buffalo farm and learned about the intricate process required to create buffalo mozzarella, followed by a mozzarella tasting. The opportunity to meet the owners of the buffalo farm and hear about their story and passion of their product highlighted the importance of quality, farm-to-table ingredients throughout Italy. The field trips, along with living near the heart of Sorrento, and the proximity of the Sant’Anna Institute to Marina Grande, allowed for me to truly get an idea of the Italian culture and participate in immersive learning. Throughout my study abroad experience, I noticed the great extent to which Italian life is centered around overall wellness and community. One of the most major culture shocks was the restaurant experience. I learned that when visiting a restaurant, it is assumed that I could have the table until closing. The waiters did not ever rush me to finish my meal and pay. In fact, the check had to be requested in order to pay. This experience was in high contrast to the typical American restaurant experience that is often about receiving and consuming a meal as quick as possible to get back to the hustle and bustle. The leisurely restaurant experience is consistent with Italian life as a whole. There is a built-in time for relaxation between the hours of 1pm and 4pm, known as “siesta”. Most restaurants and shops would close, and the workers would be able to go home until the evening. This emphasized to me how important it is to reduce stress and improve wellness by prioritizing time with friends and family, instead of thinking of it as a luxury that may or may not be able to fit into my busy daily schedule. Now being back at the University of Arkansas, I have applied the lifestyle skills I learned in Sorrento, by understanding I am much more productive after taking breaks than if I were to work until exhaustion. I would without a doubt recommend this study abroad experience to other students. In addition to the wealth of knowledge I gained from the courses, I gained valuable skills such as navigating transportation in different countries, working around language barriers, and making invaluable friendships with people I met along the way. Studying abroad provided me with a new perspective that further fueled the idea that learning never ends. I now know there will always be more to learn and people to learn from in every corner of the world