La grande bellezza Past Review
By Sara B (Linguistics, Brandeis University) - abroad from 06/01/2014 to 07/26/2014 with
CET Siena
I have seen a different kind of life - thoughtful, energetic, beautiful and relaxed at the same time. Studying with the American students in Italy helped me see the contrasts between the two culture, which not every program can help to see. So the experience was definitely worthwile.
Review Photos
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. |
Needless to say, Siena is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, but the educational part made the trip even more marvellous than I supposed it would be. The teachers were really professional and intelligent, they have helped me to improve my Italian a lot. Also, they gave a clear picture of Italian history and modern condition of the state. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I have had a most beautiful apartment with an absolutely amazing Italian roommate right in the middle of the historical center of Siena. |
| * Food: |
Italian food is always gorgeous |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We have been hanging out with friends of our Italian roommate and other Italian students - Siena is a student city so it was not hard to find friends |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any health problems during the program. One of my roommates, though, was really sick at some point, and the program administrator, Christina, woke up in the middle of the night, rushed to our appartment and made sure that the local hospital would do its best to help the girl, which I found really generous. |
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| 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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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 |
Our Italian teacher simply refused to speak English to us except when it was necessary, which helped me very much |
| 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? | Italian 20 |
| 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? | My advice would be to speak Italian not only in class, but also to your Italian roommates, to the people on street, to the guys you meet in bars. Really, this is the only way to actually learn something, feel a different culture. When there is a choice between English and Italian (which is very likely to happen in such educated city as Siena), always stick to Italian. Also, the Italians would often try to use you to practice their English skills. Either try to jokingly refuse or use them in the same way for your Italian skills. |
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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| 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? | I think a list of places I need to get to would be helpful, but overall I was prepared for the program (perhaps, because I have already been to Italy before couple of times) |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
