As of today, I have officially been studying abroad in Sorrento for one month. September was easily the quickest, most fleeting month of my life. As much as I’ve tried to grasp onto them, the days have slipped through my fingers like sand, (something that is seemingly everywhere these days, thanks to the beautiful Sorrento beaches!). As I reflect on my time thus far in Italy, I cannot help but to feel overwhelmed with gratitude. This has been my first time in Europe, and I can easily say that my time here has been amazing.
For those who don’t know me, allow me to introduce myself! My name is Kiley Traynor, and I am a junior at the University of Denver with a double-major in Psychology and Italian. As you can tell by my Irish name, I am not Italian. I began taking Italian language courses at DU due to our foreign language requirement. However—without my knowing—that requirement quickly turned into passion. My first year, somewhere between all the moments of studying past tenses and vocabulary lists, something clicked into place. I fell in love with the language, and above all, I fell in love with learning the language. When people ask me, “Why would you add a second major in Italian”, I mostly just reply with a simple, “why not?”. As Charlemagne said, “to have a second language is to have a second soul”. My decision to take Italian is absolutely one of the greatest decisions I’ve made as a student at DU.
I was incredibly fortunate enough to have professor Roberta Waldbaum for not just one, or two, or three, but four classes my sophomore year at Denver. Without her, I would not be here in Sorrento. Nor would I
have known about the Dante Alighieri Society of Denver. Nor would I have been incredibly fortunate to have received my incredible Giulio Marcantonio Memorial Scholarship—to which I am more than
grateful for. With deep thanks to the Dante Alighieri Society of Denver, and the wonderful people who are a part of it, I am enjoying the most fulfilling and enriching experience of my life thus far.
I am living and attending classes at the Sant’Anna Institute in Sorrento. Originally a convent founded in 1864, this building is nestled into the cliff overlooking the Marina Grande. A brisk five minute walk takes
me from my room right to the shoreline. Here, I am enrolled in Post-Intermediate Italian, Italian Contemporary Literature, History of Italian Film, and Cross-Cultural Psychology. I am beyond happy
with my choice of Sant’Anna as my study abroad institution. From the activities and field trips they offer, to the caring staff, to the amazing location and wonderful people I’ve met, I couldn’t ask for anything
better.
Over the past month, I’ve had the great privilege to explore the nooks and crannies of Sorrento. From diving off the cliffs of Bagni Regina Giovanna, to befriending the owner of my favorite gelateria, I have adored every moment. Furthermore, my visits so far to Amalfi, Capri, Naples, Rome, Vatican City, and Paestum have been unforgettable. From the copious amounts of carbs I’ve consumed, to the confidence I now feel while crossing the busy streets (yes, you really just have to start walking), to the way I sometimes reply in Italian before switching to English instead, my body and mind have switched into “la
dolce vita” mode.
Mi sono innamorato with Southern Italy. Despite the many times I told my family, “don’t worry, I promise I will come back”, my return to the states is looking a little less promising with each day that passes. (Mom, if you’re reading this, I am just kidding. Mostly). But truly, how could you blame me? At the end of the day, as I watch the sunset over the gulf of Naples, with the glimmering lights of Napoli shining upon Mount Vesuvius, how could I feel anything but pure bliss? As I read Elena Ferrante on the beach, the salt water crystallizing on my skin, how could I feel anything but satisfied? As I savor my fresh passionfruit gelato, how could I ever return to tubs of freezer-burnt Dean’s ice cream? Sorrento has a charm that is undeniable, unforgettable, and uniquely unequaled. It is absolutely perfect.
As today marks the beginning of a new month, it is presenting itself to me as a reminder to slow down, savor every moment, and to never take a second for granted here. I simply would not have been able to experience this trip without the amazing people who have encouraged my dreams and passions— and that very much includes the Marcantonio family, and the Dante Alighieri Society of Denver. Thank you for
empowering students like me to follow their hearts, and to explore this beautiful country I get to call home for two more months.
Ciao!
Kiley