She began leading study abroad
programs 15 years ago.
“Early in my career, I had the
opportunity to work with some
extraordinary colleagues in a variety
of disciplines: Dr. Carole Barnett,
Dr. Janet Haavisto and Professor
Dennis Stouse,” she said. “They shared
their expertise and taught me a great
deal about how to run a successful
study abroad program.”
In 2017, during a vacation in Italy,
she discovered Sant’Anna Institute,
founded in 1998 in Sorrento to
provide study abroad programs for
university students.
The campus is on a 300-year-old
estate bequeathed to the Sisters
of Charity of the Immaculate
Conception of Ivrea, who for more
than 150 years taught the children of
the Sorrento community. It is perched
on the cliffs of the Amalfi coast,
overlooking the fishing village of
Marina Grande.
Dr. Kent-Willette got acquainted
with the founder of the Sant’Anna
Institute, Cristiana Pannico, and that
led to the partnership with JU.
JU’s Center for Global Teaching
& Learning oversees instruction,
coursework and awards academic
credits for students who complete the
coursework at Sant’Anna, which has
hosted programs led by faculty from
more than 30 universities.
In the summer of 2019 in Sorrento,
Kent-Willette taught “Communication,
Culture, and the Amalfi Coast” and
“Introduction to Multimedia,” both
five-week courses. Dr. Robin Edge
taught speech language pathology,
which included a week of field study
in Sorrento, and with Professor Tiffany
Leach, led a week-long freshman
trip. Earlier in the year, masters and
doctoral Nurse Practitioner students
studied International Health Care
Policy with Dr. Teresa MacGregor
and as part of their course traveled to
Sorrento to explore how the Italian
culture influences health outcomes.
And in June 2019, JU supporters
accompanied Maria Pellegrino-Yokitis,
senior director of planned giving, on a
week-long visit to Sorrento.
Undergraduate and graduate students
from all over the United States and
Canada have studied at Sant’Anna.
Classroom work is often completed in
the morning, giving students time to
explore southern Italy on their own
in the afternoon and weekends. Once
a week, the group takes field study
excursions to places like Pompeii,
Capri and Amalfi.
Kent-Willette believes that exposure to
other countries can be life changing.
“Time and again, I witness the
transformation that takes place when
a college student steps out of the
familiar and into the unknown,” she
said. “When done right, study abroad
has the power to promote peace,
replacing fear of the unknown with
understanding, illuminating shared
values, and cultivating respect for
differences.”
And, Anderson, from Simpsonville,
S.C., agrees.
“I have grown to appreciate my
hometown and America so much
more,” Anderson said. “So many
things are different in Europe: culture,
politics, people, etc. I have learned to
appreciate American politics, social
cues, culture, and citizens. I know I
loved being in other countries, but I
have a deep appreciation and love for
the United States.”
Anderson said she had expected to be
homesick, but instead “I have gained
so much confidence, independence,
and inspiration. I truly am such a
different person than when I left for
Italy in May.
“I wasn’t sure if I would be able to
study abroad because of my limited
time, but this happened to be the
perfect time, and I am so thankful I
was afforded the opportunity.”
F E AT U R E S
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