Incredible Past Review
By Melissa R (Pennsylvania State University - University Park) - abroad from 01/05/2012 to 04/27/2012 with
Arcadia: ISI Perugia - The Umbra Institute
yes! very worthwhile. I learned to be more independent especially when it comes to planning my own trips and traveling. I gained insight about different cultures and different people around the world.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Have to take Italian every morning. Most teachers are great. Internships are offered. Italian with Barbara and any of Simon Young's classes are great! |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Staff was great! So helpful and fun. They all know perugia so well and are able to help you with most anything. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Amazing apartment. Lived with 5 other girls and had my own room. Our apartment had quite a few issues throughout the semester but the staff was very helpful and most were resolved quickly. No internet in apartment though. |
| * Food: |
Delicious! |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Perugia is a small city and it took some time to feel welcomed into the community but once I became more accustomed to the culture, I was so thankful I chose Perugia over a bigger city where you do not get as much direct contact with the Italian culture |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Always felt very safe. Never an issue. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
Finances
|
* 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) |
Definitely if more expensive. The downside to Perugia is when traveling you have to pay the extra money to take a train to either Rome or Florence. About 10 euros each way but bars are much less expensive in Perugia than in the bigger cities. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Depended on traveling but just staying in Peruga about $60-70 per week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Use to Coop down by the train station. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
|
| 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? | In Italian, nothing |
| 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? | Go out and practice them around the city and in stores. Make Italian friends and only speak Italian with them |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Try and learn some Italian before leaving so you start to become comfortable with it. |
