Welcome to the beating heart of the Italian Mediterranean! Here, you will find sun-drenched coastlines, winding stone alleys, and the lingering scent of wild lemons. Designed specifically for travellers seeking a deeply authentic and enriching getaway, this itinerary strikes the perfect balance between comfort and value.

You will step off the beaten path to explore the historic layers of Naples, wander the cliffside streets of Sorrento, and stand in awe of the Amalfi Coast's dramatic vistas. Along the way, you will immerse yourself in the legendary cuisine, world-class coastal wines, and rich, time-honoured traditions that make this specific region of Italy so unforgettable.

This 9-day international study abroad program is designed for undergraduate, post-bacc, and graduate students interested in Speech-Language Pathology, Communication Sciences and Disorders, and similar majors to explore global models of communication sciences and disorders through structured clinical observation, academic exchange, and cultural immersion. Traveling through Italy, students will engage with universities, special education organizations, and school-based therapy programs to compare service delivery models, professional training pathways, and interdisciplinary practices. The program intentionally integrates clinical learning with cultural and historical context, allowing students to examine how language, hearing, disability, and accessibility are addressed across diverse healthcare and educational systems. Through guided reflection and faculty-led discussion, students will develop cultural competence, professional insight, and a broader understanding of their future roles as clinicians in an increasingly globalized field.

A note from our Founder: Therapy Abroad aims to provide more than just a study abroad program. Our goal is to support academic excellence and experiential education by offering custom program experiences relevant to students in their chosen field of study, along with opportunities for faculty involvement and research collaborations.    

-Dr. Jessica Brown, PhD., CCC-SLP, MT-BC

Global Communication Sciences & Health Systems

• Compare and contrast international approaches to speech-language pathology, audiology, and special education in Italy, with attention to clinical training models and service delivery systems.

• Gain insight into diverse healthcare and educational frameworks supporting individuals with communication, hearing, and developmental disorders.

• Examine how language diversity, healthcare policy, and community resources influence assessment, intervention, and access to services across countries.

Intercultural & Linguistic Competence

• Develop cultural awareness and sensitivity through engagement with international clinicians, educators, and students in academic and clinical settings.

• Analyze how cultural values, beliefs, and traditions shape communication norms, disability perspectives, and therapeutic practices.

• Demonstrate respectful, adaptable communication in multilingual and cross-cultural environments relevant to professional practice in speech-language pathology and audiology.

Cultural & Historical Literacy in Health and Education

• Analyze how historical, political, and social contexts influence public education, healthcare infrastructure, and disability services through site visits.

• Examine the role of European history, migration, and multilingualism in shaping contemporary approaches to communication, inclusion, and accessibility.

• Reflect on how urban design, architecture, and public spaces impact communication access and participation for individuals with speech, language, and hearing differences.

Personal & Professional Development

• Demonstrate increased professional confidence and independence through international travel, interdisciplinary learning, and collaborative group experiences.

• Strengthen reflective and critical thinking skills through faculty-led discussions, clinical debriefs, and guided reflection activities connecting theory to practice.

• Build global perspectives and professional networks that support future academic study and careers in speech-language pathology, audiology, and related fields.

🇮🇹 Italy, located in Southern Europe and extending into the Mediterranean Sea, has played a central role in Western civilization since ancient times. Experience the best of Italy as you journey through the historic streets of Rome, the vibrant energy of Naples, and the stunning coastal beauty of Sorrento. Explore Rome's iconic landmarks, including the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Vatican City, where centuries of history come to life. In Naples, discover authentic Italian culture, world-famous pizza, and the city's rich artistic and archaeological heritage. Then, relax in the picturesque town of Sorrento, perched above the Bay of Naples, where charming streets, breathtaking sea views, and easy access to the Amalfi Coast and Capri create the perfect blend of culture, history, and Mediterranean beauty.

This country has amazing places filled with rich history, excellent food and warm generous people. You will stay in 3* hotel accommodations with communal areas to relax and hang out, meeting rooms for group discussions or presentations, and comfortable rooms for getting shut-eye. You will share a room with 1-2 other students and all rooms have private bathrooms and individual beds. Every day you will have access to Wifi, fresh drinking water, western style toilets and showers.

Meals will be a combination of local and Western cuisine. We have a 100% guarantee that you will have plenty of amazing food! We can cater to specific dietary needs as long as you let us know ahead of time. The warmth and hospitality of the people and culture will make you feel at home in no time!

The total program cost does not include international airfare. Therapy Abroad organizes a chaperoned flight for students. You can find out more information about flights and how they work here. Most students choose to travel on the chaperoned flight, though we have flexibility for those who cannot or choose not to.

With the exception of international airfare, everything is included in your program tuition! There are no surprise costs, no hidden “optional activities,” and no upselling. Your tuition covers all activities, materials, meals, and housing so you can focus on learning, exploring, and making the most of your time abroad without worrying about extra expenses. We know study abroad is a big investment for students and their families, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. From professional staff to comfortable accommodations, delicious meals, and a full itinerary of meaningful activities, we’ve designed everything to give you the best possible experience.

The total tuition is $4,580:

• Non-refundable deposit (due at booking): $1000

• Remaining balance due 90 days before departure. This is split into multiple payments.

And if you’re worried about payments, we’ve got options to help:

• Explore our Fundraising Guide with strategies and resources.

• Use our new built-in Contribution Page feature—just like GoFundMe, but directly linked to your program's tuition balance! So each time someone donates, you automatically owe less on your next payment.

• Bring a friend! We offer a refer-a-friend discount of $100 each. So help us spread the word while you lower your tuition.

• To save on extra processing fees, we recommend making your payment by ACH (direct bank transfer).

• Need more flexibility? We can help customize a payment plan that works for you—just ask!

We recommend that students bring about $300 as pocket money for souvenirs any extra snacks they want.

If you choose to cancel, we will hold onto your initial deposit for you to use on a future Therapy Abroad trip. This deposit is not transferable to another person. Refund percentages include the non-refundable deposit:

• 100% refund for cancellations made 90+ days before departure.

• 75% refund for cancellations made 90–60 days before departure.

• 50% refund for cancellations made 59-46 days before departure.

• 0% refund for cancellations made within 45 days of departure.

Safety is our top priority, and we take a hands-on approach to ensure every aspect of your experience is secure. Every location, accommodation, and activity is personally vetted by Therapy Abroad directors. From departure to return, we provide a seamless, worry-free experience. You’ll always be part of a group led by experienced facilitators—never outsourced staff. Our team ensures access to medical care, clean food and water, and reliable communication at all times.

Here are some links to our website that are worth exploring:

• Explore TherapyAbroad.org

• Our mission at Therapy Abroad

• Meet our team

• Why travel with us

• Read student and staff reviews

• FAQ

The itinerary on this page is provided as a sample to help guide the next steps in the planning process. Our team at Therapy Abroad will work closely with you to customize an itinerary that aligns with the academic goals and requirements of your institution.

Your journey begins with an international flight to Rome, marking the start of an unforgettable adventure in Italy. As you soar toward Europe, prepare to immerse yourself in a dynamic blend of cultural discovery, historical exploration, and therapeutic education.

This program offers more than just travel—it invites you to engage deeply with local communities, learn from international health and education institutions, and broaden your global perspective. Each location promises to inspire, challenge, and enrich your professional and personal growth.

Benvenuti a Roma! Our exciting journey through some of Italy's most beautiful cities begins here in the 'Eternal City'. Spend time relaxing after your travels or take a short walk along the ancient streets, before joining your travel companions and travel director for dinner and orientation drive through Rome's intoxicating cityscape. 

Overnight at hotel San Marco 3*, or similar located in the heart of the city.

After breakfast at your hotel, our tour will start through the maze of narrow streets and picturesque squares in Rome’s historic center, uncovering famous landmarks and hidden gems in the Eternal City. With a local guide, explore the Colosseum, an emblem of Rome, originally near a statue of Nero at the Dooms Aurea. The tour will continue through the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill, where ancient political life and law and courts mingled with open-air markets and shops. 

Afterwards, lunch in a local restaurant, followed by an academic or clinical visit with a local partner. Learn about speech therapy in a new setting as well as compare and contrast services available in Italy with the U.S.

As the sun sets over the seven hills of Rome, people-watch in one of Rome’s beautiful squares or admire the Trevi Fountain.

In the morning, board Italy's famous high-speed rail network bound for the vibrant heart of the Italian South. Relax in your comfortable seat as the train effortlessly cuts the travel time to just over one hour, transforming a long journey into a fluid, scenic transition. Watch out the window as the historic urban sprawl of Rome rapidly transforms into the dramatic volcanic valleys and sun-baked landscapes of the Campania region.

Upon arrival in Naples, check into your centrally located 3-star hotel before savouring a leisurely lunch at a handpicked local restaurant.

Afterward, you will embark on an immersive walking tour of Naples' UNESCO-listed center alongside an expert local guide. Far from a sterile open-air museum, Naples is a living, breathing metropolis shaped by millennia of history and a recent cultural renaissance. Your tour elegantly bridges two distinct worlds: the grand, monumental landmarks of the Spanish rulers and the winding, ancient heart of the city.

Begin by admiring the majestic Royal Palace, City Hall, the iron-and-glass Umberto I Gallery, and the legendary Teatro di San Carlo—Europe's oldest active opera house—all anchoring the vast Piazza del Plebiscito. From there, you will dive deep into the ancient Greco-Roman core. You will stroll along the famous Spaccanapoli artery, wander down Via dei Tribunali, and explore the enchanting, artisan-filled alleyways of San Gregorio Armeno.

Conclude your vibrant day with an authentic Neapolitan dinner at a local trattoria.

Today you will participate in an academic exchange focusing on Speech and Language Therapy (locally known as Logopedia) at the renowned Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II. This specialized session highlights advanced European methodologies in diagnosing and treating communication, language, voice, and swallowing disorders through a combination of theoretical frameworks, specialized lab insights, and clinical internship models in healthcare settings.

Enjoy some free time this afternoon before gathering for an exclusive, two-hour masterclass. Tonight, you will unlock the secrets behind two undisputed icons of Italian comfort food: authentic Neapolitan pizza and decadent tiramisu. Under the masterful guidance of a dedicated local chef, you will immerse yourself in centuries-old traditions. Feel the flour on your hands as you learn the delicate art of kneading, stretching, and crafting your own pizza completely from scratch.

Finally, sit back and savor the fruits of your labor, perfectly complemented by a refreshing beverage. To commemorate your evening, you will be presented with a personalized pizza-making certificate—a meaningful keepsake from Naples and definitive proof that you can now recreate the magic of true Italian cuisine in your own kitchen. This masterclass offers the ultimate interactive experience for those seeking the authentic heart and soul of the city where pizza was born.

After breakfast you'll check out, step aboard our comfortable, air-conditioned coach, and continue to the Sorrentine Coast.

Today your journey begins with a step back into the echoes of antiquity - Archaeological Park of Pompeii. This curated, full-day excursion seamlessly pairs the solemn grandeur of ancient Roman history with the dramatic volcanic geology of Southern Italy. Together, we will trace the fateful narrative of 79 AD, journeying from the frozen-in-time ruins of Pompeii to the very summit that sealed its destiny.

An expert guide will lead you on a captivating two-hour walking odyssey. You will tread upon authentic Roman stone streets, where the deep-set grooves of ancient cart tracks still mark the pavement. Beyond the majestic pillars of the Roman Forum and the grand architecture of the Stabian Thermal Baths, your guide will unveil the intimate secrets of daily Roman life. Wander past the preserved, vivid frescoes of the Lupanar, explore the hearths of traditional bakeries, and marvel at the opulent, sprawling courtyard of the House of the Faun.

Following lunch, your transport climbs the winding, scenic roads of Mount Vesuvius up to the 1,000-meter parking area, you will embark on an active, 20-to-30-minute hike up the remaining 200 vertical meters to reach the Gran Cono (the main crater rim). The trail has an average 14% incline on gravel terrain. The summit rewards you with breathtaking, 360-degree views stretching across the entire Bay of Naples, the Sorrento Peninsula, and the distant island of Capri.

In the afternoon we will continue to Sorrentine Coast. Check into your 4-star hotel in Castellammare di Stabia/ Sorrento. 

Our day begins as we depart by boat for Capri, universally celebrated as one of the most glamorous islands in the world. Capri is a captivating mosaic where magnificent Mediterranean nature blends seamlessly with the legendary, luxurious lifestyles of Roman emperors, avant-garde artists, and world travelers. Our exploration covers the island’s two distinct gems: Anacapri and Capri town.

We ascend first to the quiet elegance of Anacapri to drink in the breathtaking, sweeping vistas from its panoramic terraces. From these heights, you will look down upon the historic "Phoenician Steps"—the ancient, hand-cut stone staircase that served as the island's only connecting path in centuries past. During your free time here, you may choose to wander through the lush, tranquil gardens of Villa San Michele (the historic home of Swedish physician Axel Munthe) or ride the scenic chairlift up to Monte Solaro ("Sunny Peak"), the absolute highest point on the island.

Following our morning exploration, we gather for a delicious, authentic lunch at a charming local trattoria, savouring the fresh, sun-ripened flavours of the region.

In the early afternoon, we delve into the vibrant heart of Capri town. We will stroll through an enchanting labyrinth of historic, narrow streets seamlessly lined with world-class luxury designer boutiques. Our path leads to the famous Piazza Umberto I—the island's iconic social hub—complete with its elegant majolica bell tower and historic town hall. We continue our walk toward the peaceful Carthusian monastery and the stunning Gardens of Augustus. From these cliffside terraces, a magnificent panorama unfolds, revealing the dramatic, serpentine switchbacks of Via Krupp carving its way down to the sea. For the ultimate experience, you will have the opportunity to embark on an optional boat cruise around the monumental Faraglioni rocks and into the enigmatic, azure-blue waters of the island’s hidden sea caves.

As the afternoon sun softens, we board our boat and cruise across the bay to Sorrento. We conclude our spectacular day with a walking tour of this cliffside town. Together, we will discover the bustling energy of the central square, Piazza Tasso, and admire the architectural history of the 14th-century Cathedral and the serene Cloister of San Francesco. After viewing Sorrento's ancient Roman ruins, we will take in the contrasting charms of its two waterfronts—the bustling Marina Piccola and the historic, old-world fishing village of Marina Grande.

Dinner will be in the hotel tonight.

Today begins in Sorrento as you step aboard a comfortable, air-conditioned tourist coach. Leaving the town behind, you will instantly join one of the world’s most breathtaking coastal routes: The Amalfi Drive. This masterfully engineered road clings dramatically to the cliffside, suspended between jagged limestone walls and the endless turquoise expanse of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

As the coach navigates the sweeping curves, your guide will share the history, myths, and secrets of this UNESCO World Heritage coast. Your first glimpse of architectural magic arrives with a panoramic photo stop overlooking Positano. From our cliffside vantage point, you will admire the iconic, multi-coloured houses stacked like a vertical mosaic rising straight out of the sea.

The journey continues down the coast, bringing you into the historic heart of Amalfi, the ancient maritime republic that gave the coast its name.

Here, your exploration pauses for a curated lunch at a traditional, sun-drenched restaurant in the center of town. You will indulge in a vibrant, authentic menu celebrating the freshest catches and sun-ripened ingredients of the region. Savor dishes like handmade pasta tossed with local seafood or lemon-infused specialties, perfectly paired with a crisp glass of regional wine and a sweet shot of authentic Amalfi Limoncello.

Following lunch, enjoy free time to immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of Amalfi.

• Piazza del Duomo: Wander into the bustling main square, dominated by the magnificent, 9th-century Cathedral of St. Andrew (Duomo di Amalfi). Its dramatic staircase and striking, Moorish-influenced facade demand a photograph. 

• The Labyrinth of Lanes: Lose yourself in the narrow, whitewashed alleyways that snake beneath stone arches, where you can browse local shops selling handmade Amalfi paper, embroidered linens, and artisan ceramics. 

Later, reboard the coach as we ascend slightly higher into the hills to visit Ravello—a peaceful sanctuary perched like an eagle’s nest above the sea. Famed for its aristocratic history and artistic inspiration, Ravello offers the chance to visit the historic gardens of Villa Rufolo or Villa Cimbrone. Standing on these high terraces, you will look out at a panoramic view so vast and beautiful that French author André Gide famously described it as "closer to the sky than to the shore."

As the late afternoon sun softens into a warm golden hue, step back onto your comfortable coach. Relax and share photos as we cruise back along the coastline, watching the sunset paint the cliffs in shades of pink and orange. You will arrive back in Sorrento around 17:30, filled with the timeless beauty, rich flavors, and romantic essence of the Divine Coast.

Your morning begins in Sorrento as you board a comfortable, air-conditioned coach, bidding farewell to the coast and heading north toward the historic heart of Campania. Your destination is the majestic Royal Palace of Caserta (Reggia di Caserta), a breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage site designed by architect Luigi Vanvitelli to rival—and outshine—the French Versailles.

Alongside an expert guide, you will tour the breathtaking royal apartments, grand staircases, and sprawling monumental gardens of this spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site.

Conclude your vibrant day with an authentic Neapolitan dinner at a local trattoria.

Upon arrival, your guide will lead you through a curated exploration of the opulent Royal Apartments. Walk beneath soaring ceilings decorated with magnificent frescoes, ascend the monumental Grand Staircase, and wander through gold-leafed ballrooms that speak to the absolute power of the Bourbon kings.Following the palace interior, step out into the sprawling Royal Gardens. You will be spellbound by the three-kilometre-long central axis, lined with dramatic fountains, sculptured cascades, and the romantic English Garden, where rare exotic plants thrive beside ancient-looking artificial ruins.

After Check in at central located hotel 3* you will have well-deserved relaxation to explore, shop, or rest. Before everyone packs their bags and heads home tomorrow, we invite the group to share one last farewell dinner together.

As you prepare to head home, take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey you’ve just completed—spanning multiple cities, multiple languages, and a wealth of cultural experiences.

This program has not only offered academic enrichment through visits to esteemed institutions but also fostered personal and professional growth through immersive, firsthand learning. Return home inspired, enriched, and empowered by the connections you've made and the stories you'll carry forward.