Program Description

Hofstra in Sorrento Program
June 26 – August 3, 2013

Founded by the Greeks in the 8th century B.C.E., Sorrento is a town whose origins lie enshrouded between myth and history.  Legend has is that her waters were inhabited by the tantalizing and treacherous sirens from whom she took her name: Surrentum.

Coveted for its location on the Gulf of Naples, breathtaking ocean vistas, and dramatic coastline, Sorrento eventually fell to the Romans who enjoyed it as an imperial playground and strategic vantage point.

Sorrento and the peninsula it occupies project into the Tyrrhenian Sea between the Gulfs of Naples and Salerno.  The town is renowned for the mildness of its climate and the eternal beauty of its landscape of olive and lemon trees atop cliffs rising from a deep blue sea.  These elements, combined with a rich historical and artistic heritage, have since the times of Lord Byron made Sorrento one of the de rigueur stops on the “journey to Italy”. 

Today Sorrento is a seaside resort town known for its rock beaches that offer a variety of water sports and forms of relaxation. Refined cafès, elegant shops, centuries-old artisan workshops that produce inlaid wood furniture and silk tapestries, an international cinema festival, the summer Sorrento jazz  are just some of the town’s other attractions.  Many tourists also lodge in Sorrento for its convenient proximity to the posh island retreats of Capri and Ischia, the archeological sites of Pompei and Herculaneum, the picturesque seaside town of Positano, and the breathtaking costiera amalfitana.  Whether you want to relax in the sun, chat in Italian at a caffè with new friends, stroll through the streets amid Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, dance under the stars, or hike Mt. Vesuvius, there is always a new experience to have in Sorrento.

Participants live in shared apartments of 3-5 Hofstra program students with fully equipped kitchens.  Apartments are within 25 minutes walking distance to school.  A bus line along the major artery of the town, Corso d’Italia, is also available for those who prefer public transportation.  If students prefer an immersion experience, accommodation arrangements can be made with local hosts (limited availability).

Our host school, SorrentoLingue Centro Linguistico Internazionale, is located in the heart of historic Sorrento in a former convent, the Istituto Sant’Anna. The school is only 50 meters from the dramatic coastline and has both sea and garden views.  There are eight classrooms with balconies, a student lounge with computers, free Internet and wi-fi.

Each summer the destinations of our 2-3 day trips vary, but always include Pompei, indisputably one of the most important archeological sites of ancient Rome.  In past summers we have visited the royal palace and gardens of Caserta, the charming seaside villages of Positano and Amalfi, the churches, catacombs and museums of Naples and the enchanting island of Capri.  Independently and for a small fee, students can also take advantage of activities organized by Sorrento Lingue to attend cooking or ceramic classes, take sailing trips, and visit artisans’ workshops, wineries and olive oil producers.  Students are also encouraged to explore Italy and often organize amongst themselves weekend trips to Rome and Florence.  Sorrento offers convenient train and bus service for weekend travel.

Program Details

Hofstra in Sorrento Program
June 26 – August 3, 2013

ELIGIBILITY and ACCEPTANCE (read carefully)
Students from Hofstra and other universities are encouraged to apply.  Acceptance and participation are solely the Program Director’s decision and are contingent upon continuing compliance with the pre-departure process and timely submission of a complete program application including four necessary forms and a nonrefundable $400 deposit. Students are required to attend all pre-departure orientation meetings throughout the spring semester and will be dropped from the program for non-attendance. All students enroll for 6 credits of coursework.

Preliminary application packet including necessary forms and $400 nonrefundable deposit receipt are due by March 5, 2012 and must be submitted to the administrative staff of the Office of Study Abroad Programs for HCLAS, 107 Roosevelt Hall.  The office director is Professor Maria Fixell, tel. (516) 463 4765 and email.

Cost*
The program fee of $4,800* covers program costs for five weeks abroad, including roundtrip New York-Naples airfare, ground transportation to and from the Naples airport, housing (host families include 2 meals daily), program banquets, Internet access, group excursions and entrance fees.  Financial aid in the form of student loans is available; interested students should initiate the loan process as early as possible with their university’s financial aid representative.  Tuition and fees for two courses (6 s.h.) are additional and equivalent to standard Hofstra University tuition and fees. 

*The program cost quoted above is based on last year’s program and is subject to change.

Contact Information

For further information please contact:

Dr. Gregory Pell
Director, Hofstra in Sorrento Program
Department of Romance Languages and Literatures
310 Calkins Hall
107 Hofstra University
Hempstead, New York 11549-1070
Telephone: (516) 463-5437
Fax: (516) 463-2310
Email

Available Courses

Hofstra in Sorrento Program
June 26 – August 3, 2013

Each student must take 2 courses (taught by Hofstra faculty and Sorrento Lingue instructors) for a total of 6 s.h.

• ITAL 1 and/or 2, Beginning Italian, 3 or 6 s.h.
• ITAL 3 and/or 4, Intermediate Italian, 3 or 6 s.h.
• ITAL 105, Business Italian, 3 s.h.
• ITAL 109 or 110, Italian conversation and Oral Practice, 3 s.h.
• ITAL 170, Special Topics in Italian Literature, 3 s.h.
• ITLT 042, Sex, Lies and Writing: Boccaccio’s Decameron, 3 s.h. (in English, LT)
• ITST 141, Italian Cinema: Southern Italy, 3 s.h. (in English, AA)