Diversity and Inclusion

Excited for your trip to Sorrento? We are too! Traveling overseas, especially for the first time, is an exciting experience. However, as an international college student, it's important to remember that you are a representative of your home country. To counter negative stereotypes, it's crucial to exhibit kindness, respect, and consideration towards others. Also, show that you are environmentally conscious and knowledgeable about other cultures. Be open-minded, learn about the local culture, and make an effort to adapt to the local lifestyle. Finally, be conscious of your behavior and treat everyone with respect. By doing so, you can challenge and break down negative stereotypes and make a positive impact.

Compared to our other programs in Rome and Florence, Sorrento is a significantly smaller town comprising a population of around 16,000 residents. Provided that several of them are native Italians, you might encounter a slight barrier, whether that's in the language or culture. As an American student, you will inevitably encounter not just questions but assumptions and potentially even biases about who you are. When interacting with native Italians, it's important to try to keep good faith and recognize that questions stem from a place of curiosity.

Creating Safe Spaces: Inclusivity and Confidentiality

We take pride in ensuring that all of our locations and accommodations are welcoming environments for everyone. Our goal is to foster a sense of inclusivity and confidentiality. If you have specific needs, please let us know, and we will do our best to accommodate them. For those in need, we also provide access to professional counseling and health services.

Racially and Ethnically Diverse Students

Underrepresented students in higher education in the US may face similar challenges while studying or interning abroad. It is important to keep in mind that while you may be classified by your ethnicity in the US, abroad you may be initially identified as an American or something else entirely. This means that the people you interact with may have pre-existing opinions and be eager to share them with you.

Local Diversity Organizations

To find more resources for Minority and Students of Color Abroad, check out Diversity Abroad's articles and student blogs.

LGBTQIA+ Resources

No matter your sexual orientation or gender identity, we at CIS Abroad are here to give you any support you need. Whether you would like to ask us any questions or simply consult our guide, we are happy that you are here and curious to learn more. In this section, we hope you’ll be able to learn more about different LGBTQIA+ resources, along with the current state of affairs in Italy and within your program city.

Legal Status of LGBTQIA+ Individuals

Although same sex relationships have been legal within Italy since 1890, lesbian, bisexual, gay, and transgender people still face opposition when it comes to obtaining the equal rights experienced by their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. In May 2016, civil unions finally became legal, despite opposition by conservative parties in particular. Now, homosexual couples have many of the legal rights that heterosexual couples have, e.g. the right to receive the deceased partner’s pension, to inherit each other’s assets, and to take each other’s surnames.

Transgender people have had the legal right to change their gender since 1982, making Italy the fourth nation in the world to allow citizens to change their gender on legal documents, in addition to allowing gender confirmation surgery. However, there is still some progress to be made. Same-sex marriages are not yet legal in Italy, and anti-discrimination protections are weak at the national level. 

Public Opinion

Much like the United States, Italy is a large country, and just like Americans, Italians hold differing opinions on the LGBTQIA+ community. Nonetheless, you will find that Sorrento is quite LGBTQIA+ friendly due to its status as a tourist hotspot. 

Despite the laws currently in place, Italy as a whole is surprisingly positive towards the LGBT community. As of a 2022 poll, 61% of Italians approve of same-sex marriage, higher than it was in the US when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage. Many Italians are supportive of those in the LGBT community but are not well-versed in what it means to be transgender or non-heterosexual, especially older Italians. 

Religious Diversity

There’s no doubt that Rome and the Vatican are the center of the Catholic world. But that doesn’t mean that there is no room for other religions. Rome is the site of Europe’s largest mosque, and is also home to the oldest Jewish population in Europe. In the last fifteen or so years, Italy has seen an increase in immigration, just as many other countries in Europe, with some of the most significant migrant communities originating from China, Taiwan and South-East Asia. In fact Buddhism has also gained many Italian followers, and in fact is the third leading religion in Italy after Christianity and Islam. 

While Italy is a secular state, it wasn't until 1984 that Roman Catholicism was denounced as the official religion; even now, however, we can see the multitude of ways in which the Catholic tradition has shaped the contemporary cultural and political landscape of Italy. In the material culture, for example, some of the most noteworthy sights include a breadth of churches otherwise referred to as "duomi" or "basilice". Politically, some political candidates and one political party in particular, i.e. the "Brothers of Italy", hold viewpoints on issues ranging from same-sex marriage to abortion that are influenced by Catholicism. 

Accessibility

At our program, we believe that every student should have equal access to study abroad opportunities, and many students with various disabilities have had successful and meaningful experiences in the past.

Unfortunately, Italy is generally considered not accessible to people with mobility challenges. Historic buildings and cobblestone streets haven’t entirely been upgraded for full accessibility. Apartments and other multi-story buildings are not required to have elevators or other accessible entrances. Our host academic institutions are more accommodating, but the nature of the rest of the program locations make it very difficult for foreigners with special accessibility needs to comfortably navigate around much of Italy.

Other impairments not related to mobility can oftentimes be accommodated. Please contact us for details about your specific program location and we’ll gladly offer insights and work to accommodate you! 

Other Resources

• Abroad101 - FAQ from parents of students with disabilities

Preparing for Your Study Abroad Experience

Maximizing your study abroad experience starts before you even leave. It's important to be open and honest with our advisors and staff about any specific needs you may have. This can include accommodations in the classroom, transportation, meals, support, housing, and more. By sharing this information with us ahead of time, we can work to ensure that the program is tailored to meet your individual needs.