Studying abroad fills your body and mind with emotions you never knew you had. May 02, 2023
By A student (Social Work and Criminal Justice, Bridgewater State University) - abroad from 01/14/2023 to 05/06/2023 with
Academic Studies Abroad: Study Abroad in Sorrento, Italy
It was definitely worthwhile. I gained independence and life skills I would not have learned at home. I learned how it feels to be apart of another culture and appreciate living outside the only place I have ever known.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Alaina was very helpful during the process (this rating is not because of her, but the program as a whole) Some examples would be how our apartment was arranged. We were told we were getting 4 twin beds (2 bedrooms) but in reality, we got 2 queens and 1 cot. Other programs, like CIS, get tranfers and activities included. ASA advertises they have 3 excursions throughout the semester which is not at all accurate. ASA did not have any excursions or activities. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I dont think housing was delt with fairly. The only thing I wasn't expecting was the way our rooms are set up. We were told we were getting 2 twin beds in each room, but there is a queen bed in each room with one room having a cot for the third person. One of my roommates insisted on taking the "single" after she arrived, so I went to the double to avoid a problem. Me and my other roommate are switching halfway through so neither of us are stuck on the cot all semester, while our other roommate stays in the "single". The "single" has a queen bed, access to balcony, large amounts of closet and counter space, and its own bathroom. Me and my roommate share a closet and share one dresser. If there were twins in each room, the 2 people could have that nice room with space to put our stuff and a bathroom and the person getting their own room would have the other one. I think it should be been handled differently or set up the way were told it was going to be. |
| * Food: |
food was very affordable and easy to get groceries |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I would choose CIS because I saw how the program works while bing here compared to ASA. |
Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | depends of if you are traveling that week but around 300-400 because of weekend trips |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Set a 2 week allowance for yourself based on how much money you start with at the beginning of the semester. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | only Spanish 5 (never had taken italian) |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Always order your food/drinks at restaurants, bars, cafes, etc. in the language. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Even though you will be traveling and having fun, you are still attending school. Typical drama between students/roommates and peer pressure happens more than you think. |
