An experience I will never forget. Past Review
By A student (Niagara County Community College) - abroad from 01/22/2018 to 05/12/2018 with
Alfred State: Open Studies in Italy
I learned how to be more independent and embrace other cultures. I grew so much in the 4 months abroud than very few other experiences I've ever had. I have recommended the program and studying abroad in general to many people already.
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. |
Some classes were rigorous and had me doing projects that I had not been exposed to before. Other classes are easier that I had done similar project back in the US. Overall a mostly positive experience. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt like I was not as integrated in an Italian environment as I was expecting as Sorrento is a tourist town in southern Italy. But there were some businesses in town that only spoke Italian which helped the small town feel. |
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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? |
Yes
I enjoyed the program and the experience. The faculty and staff was helpful for me and supportive. |
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? | $150 to $200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan out meals for the week and don't eat out often. It's cheaper when you know what you need when it comes to grocery shopping and it's also cheaper if you don't eat out more than a few meals a week. |
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 |
It was strongly suggested to speak in Italian, but not mandatory. |
| 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 |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | Some of the classes weren't easy and some of the cultural experiences are way different than I had encountered, but it was still so worth it. |
