The Italian Experience Past Review
By A student (Supply Chain Management, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 09/10/2012 to 12/19/2013 with
Bocconi University: Milan - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
The best time of my life. Took my 4 months there for granted and now I want to go back and do everything all over again. Currently having withdrawals but made the best memories there and still continuing to keep in touch with the friends I've met from over there. I've learned that there is so much more out there and became more cultured with all of the countries I visited.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
"The Harvard of Italy" was what I was told this University was. So glad I picked this program to study abroad at. Classes there were taught differently than what we're used to but I loved it. Really changed my perspective of previous information I've learned. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
not the most efficient (sometimes non-existant) but they tried. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
lived in an apartment I found on my own, not the international dorms provided by the university. Loved my small Italian apartment. Plus, it was closer to campus than the dorm (Arcobaleno) |
| * Food: |
Good cheap food is hard to find in Milan. Go to aperitivos (Spritz and Maya) or higher priced restaurants near the Duomo. Grab Luini's and Cioccolati Gelato for a quick snack! |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Learn before arriving. It will make life so much easier. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
My health was better there (in the winter weather) vs. my health in Texas (any time of the year). Didn't need any health care there! |
| * Safety: |
watch out for pick-pocketers in the metros and crowded areas near Duomo. Also, avoid the guys giving "free bracelets" in front of the Duomo. Do not let them throw the bracelets on you or put it on you insisting that it'll be free... |
| 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) |
Rent is cheap if you split a room with someone and live in an apartment versus a dormroom. Buying groceries and cooking on the weekdays made splurging on food in a different country or city on the weekend more cost efficient. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 10-15 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Get the tram pass. Cook at home on the weekdays. |
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 |
Italian was sometimes spoken in our english speaking classes. |
| 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? | Beginner's language crash course |
| 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? | Take the crash course. and take the additional language course if you're serious about learning afterwards to continue practicing and using it. |
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? | Learn Italian! The four months will go by really quickly. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
