Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Professors were skilled, devoted, and expected a lot out of students, making the learning experience far better than expected. Everything learned in the classroom could be broadly applied to my life in Perugia, making the experience quite wonderful.

On-site administration of your program

I felt well-supported and connected by the administration. Tech support and communication among non-Arcadia universities could use some work.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I stayed in an apartment with a local family. This is what truly made my experience as wonderful as it was. My host family was FANTASTIC and provided anything I needed and I became very close with them. It was a sold walk away from class and nightlife though, so some of my socializing was limited.

AWESOME.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It is a SMALL program (I guess most are), and everyone tends to ONLY hang out with American students, making it feel very like high school. That being said, a variety of people with many interests show up, and I am still friends with several people from the program and had wonderful experiences with them. Plenty of people spend a lot of time drinking and traveling. Others are interested on other things. You can find your own balance and group, and even hang out with multiple groups. A bit cliquey though.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Walking home late at night by myself was a bit scary, but that is more because I lived so far away from the center of the city. Someone is always monitoring an emergency number and I felt very safe. As long as you aren't stupid and you remain alert, people won't mess with you. You tend to get sick abroad, so keep all receipts so you can get money back through the expensive insurance they make you buy. The Italian doctors were okay, though pharmacies are different from America and all of them require prescriptions, even for basic meds.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I was one of two students who did a homestay. Your language skills WILL NOT improve unless you do this. There are few opportunities during classes and with other students to really practice the language. The homestay, and my own personal efforts to integrate in the community, are the only things that helped with the language. Almost all locals speaks English, and few students want to practice the language. Do the language exchange program.

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