Bobo (Bologna) I miss and will always love you! Past Review
By Marie V (Italian Language and Literature., Providence College) for
Brown University: Bologna - Brown in Italy at University of Bologna
yes, I learned so much through experience, made so many life long friends and I miss it like crazy.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The only reason I dont gice it a 5 star is I am referring to the actualy university, my overall experience, 10 star. You go abroad for the experience which includes everything not just the actual classes you take, but they are still a major part. It shows you lots about the culture and how theyre system is set up.And most imporatantly it reaaly immerses you in this new place. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
the on site administrators are Italian, if you have any problems with a class teacher, you tell the administrators and they will show up with you in class the next day to help you figure it out. They set you up with language partners, have group dinners, take you on city tours, they do everything to make sure you get the best experience! Down side, because of the lack of organization with the university, not the administrators of the program, youll have some trouble picking classes, I know the program adminsitrators are trying to figure out a better system to help students choose like keeping records of past classes so it can only get better and better! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had 2 italian roomates and one american. We all became like a littel family, I miss them all very much! We still keep in contact. |
| * Food: |
Its Italy, you know youre going to eat well. Theres a million places to eat at, the program will supply you with lists of recommendations from past students. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
All the day trips museum trips, great even if you do have to make up bright and early, youll get the most out of these tours. Some of the best trips were all the ski trips I did with ESEG and Explorita, youll meet a ton of people that way and make a ton of friends that youll keep and how cool is it to ski in Italy! Italians also have a lot more snowboarders than I expected which I loved because I as well am a snowboarder. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Bologna is very very safe! You can walk home late at night by yourself and be fine. Italian men will come onto American girls but you tell them no and to go away and theyll listen. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | save a lot of money before you go abroad, dont hold back this is a once in alife time experience! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I used Italian everyday with my 2 italian roomates, with teachers, with all the locals surrounding me. garanteed, you will learn Italian using this program. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I was abroad for the whole year, there was a big difference from the students of first semester and second. you had the partiers and then came the intellects. Bologna is a place for everyone. You just have to be ready to push yourself to the limits, grab life by the horns, maybe make a fool out of yourself along the way and always remember the english phrase every Italian knows "dont worry, be happy" And to make thing easier, the Italian mentality, Pazienza. Just be prepared to leave this place kicking and screaming, youll miss it like crazy. |
