My POV: Sorrento Through the Eyes of an Albanian-American

How a multicultural student is experiencing Sorrento

By Tina Krasniqi

Ciao, my name is Tina Krasniqi. Studying abroad in Sorrento is not my first time traveling internationally. When most Americans arrive in Europe they experience many cultural shocks such as more walking, limited AC and a slower pace of life. For many of my peers, Italy is completely unfamiliar. For me, Italy has been an extension of what I know.

I was born and raised in the United States but I spend my summers switching between the city in Kosovo and the beach in Albania. Traveling to Italy, I had expectations that were created by spending my summers in my home country

Coming to Sorrento: my expectations

Coming into this trip, I was excited. I expected familiar rhymes – heavy coffee culture, inclined walks, and the feeling of community that often comes with Balkan life. In some ways Sorrento feels familiar, but in others, it has surprised me. I expected a version of what I had experienced in the Balkans but Southern Italy feels different in ways I didn’t anticipate.

Sorrento: How I feel the city

The streets feel more polished, dogs are family companions rather than stray animals wandering neighborhoods, and Italian people value work life balance. One surprise was adjusting to shops and restaurants closing during the afternoon, something that taught me to plan meals ahead. Even small details like the lack of bakeries compared to in Albania has made me realize how differently neighboring parts of Europe can feel.

Although Italy is not my first experience traveling Europe, Sorrento has already reminded me that familiarity does not always mean sameness. Some moments feel unexpected while others challenge what I thought I knew about European life. As I continue my time here, I look forward to exploring Sorrento through the Albanian-American lense and discovering what feels like home, what feels new, and what exists somewhere in between.