Study Abroad Program

Alfred State College in Partnership with Sorrento Lingue

Alfred State College has partnered with Sorrento Lingue Institute in Sorrento, Italy, to offer an optional semester of study abroad to its students. We are now accepting students from schools of architecture, the business administration (BBA) program, as well as any students who wish to fulfill liberal arts and humanities requirements while studying and living in a truly unique learning environment. Alfred State and Sorrento Lingue now offer the American college student what is perhaps the only permanent semester of studies in the south of Italy.

In keeping with Alfred State College's mission, which is to offer two-year and four-year programs to prepare graduates to live as citizens of a global society, Studio Sorrento will establish a foundation for lifelong learning, foster an understanding of global culture, and better equip the participant to ‘hit the ground running' after graduation. The beautiful scenery of the Gulf of Naples and the safe and welcoming city of Sorrento provide the setting for an unforgettable educational experience.

• Architecture Studies
• Business Administration Studies
• Estimate of Costs*
• About the Area
• Contact Us
• View photos from spring 2009 study abroad program.
• View photos from previous architecture curriculum travel abroad trips.

Architecture Studies

This is expected to be a seamless program that will allow students to spend their spring semester taking courses in Italian language delivered by Sorrento Lingue with credit being granted through Alfred State College. They will gain further Alfred State College credit in an architectural design studio which will focus on historic preservation, and this will be taught by Alfred State College faculty. The studio component will be consistent with the listed student learning outcomes of CIAT 6306: Studio II. Projects will involve field measurement and notations, analysis of traditional building methods, documentation, and adaptive re-use design proposals. Complementing the studio work in historic preservation will be field experience in Pompeii and Paestum as a component of a three credit hour Archaeology course taught by Italian faculty. Students may also enroll in a three credit hour Architectural Photography course, as well as an online version of CIVL 5213, our concrete design course.

Summary of courses:

These courses are taught by Alfred State College faculty unless otherwise noted. Students will also be able to customize their curriculum of study by taking online courses through Alfred State or any other institution. * Taught by SLI staff.

Business Administration Studies

For Alfred State College junior business administration students, there is the added opportunity of studying the European Union. Italy, one of the 27 member states, is a symbol of success thanks to its system of capitalism. Required courses in International Business and Business in the European Union will give our students a global business perspective. Students will use a framework to research select bachelor business administration program outcomes (communication, management, marketing, and economics) from different European Union member state’s perspective. Students will have the opportunity to visit Italian businesses and participate in round table discussion with business leaders.

Summary of courses (minimum 12 credits):

These courses are taught by Alfred State College faculty unless otherwise noted. Students will also be able to customize their curriculum of study by taking online courses through Alfred State or any other institution. * Taught by SLI staff.

Estimate of Costs*

The total cost of the program will include all costs for tuition, fees, room, board, travel, insurance, and incidentals as well as a program fee. Students will receive a bill from Alfred State College for all Sorrento and Alfred State College expenses.  Additional costs noted below will be paid by the student directly to the provider. Costs for a full-time student are as follows:

Sorrento Lingue Per Student Program Cost: $9,500

Includes: room, Sorrento Lingue program fee, some books and supplies, and certain program related excursions.

Alfred State College Per Student Program Cost: $3,920

Includes: tuition and fees at the in-state rate**, Alfred State College program fee, and required/SUNY-approved overseas program insurance.

Total: $13,420

Miscellaneous Cost Estimate: $3,500 

Cost includes: airfare, meals, passport/visa, and incidentals. These expenses will be paid directly to the provider by the student.

*All costs are reasonable estimates based on program requirements and current exchange and are determined to be comparable to similar programs offered by our sister SUNY institutions. Students are eligible to apply for financial aid including student and private loans to assist in meeting the cost of this program.

**Tuition is based on full-time attendance at the New York State resident rate. Tuition will be adjusted accordingly for the student's residency and enrollment status.

Participating students will be required to apply by Sept. 30, for the following spring, and include a $500 non-refundable deposit to secure their place in the program. Students expressing interest after Sept. 30 will be considered on a space available basis.

About the Area

The region of Campania which surrounds Sorrento possesses an immensely important architectural heritage that extends back to the age of Homer. Within easy reach are the Greek cities of Paestum and Cuma; the Roman cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Puteoli; the Roman villas of Oplonti and Castellamare; the Renaissance and Baroque architecture of Naples; and the traditional Mediterranean townscapes of Ravello, Amalfi, Capri, Ischia, and Sorrento itself. The innumerable cultural assets of the area promise an incomparable learning experience for the serious student of architecture. Field trips to Rome and Cairo as well as a 10-day spring break tour of Athens and the Greek Islands are also planned for the upcoming semester.  

Faculty and ASC students will travel together in January to Sorrento, and, at the end of the term, students will be free to travel independently before returning to the US. Classes in Sorrento will commence in January and end in May.

Contact Us

For further information about the study abroad program please contact:

Join the Studio Sorrento Facebook group and meet students who studied at Sorrento Lingue Institute. 

Pictured here are those who spent the spring 2009 semester in Sorrento, Italy. Standing, l-r: Anthony Baker, Josh Bacho, Andrew Altoft, Megan Watson, Jeffrey Aldrich, Alex Nowak, Christopher Shubert. Seated, l-r: Hiroko Hasegawa, Sara Berg, Jacob Haggmark, Jeffrey Johnston, ASC Assistant Professor, Computer Imaging & Architectural Engineering Technology, Brennan Drake, Amy Cole, and Jamie Woods.