An Unexpected but Unforgettable Challenge Past Review
By A student (English; Honors, Villanova University) - abroad from 01/23/2013 to 05/25/2013 with
Boston University: Padua - Italian and European Studies Program
I wouldn't choose it again, but I also wouldn't trade it for anything. The city was the perfect size -- not touristy, but not too small. I learned and experienced a lot, and it was definitely worth it.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I enjoyed the professors very much, the academic rigor for the regular classes did not meet expectations. That being said, the language classes/intensive month were very helpful. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I liked the people who worked in administration, but this program requires you to be very independent. There was zero hand-holding, but a little bit would have been nice, given that we were in a foreign country and needed assistance navigating certain difficult situations. It was not as well-organized or integrated as I hoped. The orientation was also extremely minimal and barely useful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was safe, but I was not well-matched with my host mother at all. I never felt comfortable in her house and did not have privacy. It was very stressful. |
| * Food: |
We had three meals a week with our host families and breakfast. There were also tons of bars and restaurants with delicious, well-priced food if you looked for it. The program doesn't indicate where all of these are. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The Tandem program was awesome and helped me meet University students, but I would have liked even more interaction with them. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
It's very safe. Just stay away from the train station area at night, and try to be with another person at night whenever possible. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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? | approximately 150 euro 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 |
All classes were taught in Italian, and my host mother knew zero English. The city is small and not touristy, so most locals didn't know English either. It was very necessary to know the language. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate II |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Talk with native speakers! Keep trying, even if they respond to you in English/your native tongue. Listen and learn, speak as much as possible. |
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? |
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? | The only way to learn a language for real is to go to that country and talk with natives. |
