CIMBA: So Many Mistakes= So Many Adventures Past Review

By Gabriela R (Accounting, Texas Tech) for

CIMBA: Paderno del Grappa - Undergraduate Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I think if I didn't have a second program to go to after this one, I would have been very disappointed with my time in Italy. However, I learned a lot from being in this program. I learned how to communicate more in Italian and how to get around using the different types of transportation. I was able to overcome a lot of fears just through all the mistakes I made. I learned a lot of things the hard way, and I am glad that it happened early and not later. I will always appreciate the time I spent in Paderno del Grappa now.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here:	John Cabot University
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.	To do 6 hours worth of credit in four weeks of time was brutal. I was constantly working on homework and assignments. Luckily, one of my classes was manageable but the other one was extremely difficult to keep up with. I had groups in both and I don't know how much harder it would have been without them. I can only imagine the worst.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	They were very knowledgeable about getting around the area and Italy. They had good tips and explanations. The classes were small sized and it was easy to get to class since the dorms were on campus.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I wished I would have had a roommate. It would have been easier to adjust if I had gotten to know someone right away. The rooms were very clean. I really enjoyed the bathroom and my view.
* Food:	I think it would have been nice if they could have provided food on the weekends. It takes awhile to get used to eating pasta all the time but that is just Italy overall.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I did enjoy the day trips they arranged for us. It was a very good opportunity for me to see Italy from a less touristy perspective. I just didn't like that the buses they provided wouldn't wait for you if they decided to leave EARLY because they thought everyone was there. I learned however how to deal with missing your transportation. I guess it was a good lesson to learn early.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	The program was in a small town. I felt very safe walking around alone during the day and the night.
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)
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	I spent about 150 euro the first week. I travelled for the next 3 weeks on the weekends and for a week. I imagine I spent 400 euro on the weekends traveling and 500 euro for the two weeks I was traveling afterward. But during the actually week I saved a lot by eating at the school's cafeteria, so i would say i only spent about 15 euro during the week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Be prepared for expensive taxis if you missed your bus or train and need to get somewhere quick. Also, if you get sick most insurance plans reimburse you once you're in the states.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	None
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	N/A
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	This program is not for someone who likes to go out every night at clubs or bars. The town is too small to go out every night unless you always go to the school's small sports bar. I think if you're searching for a small town experience with travel on the weekends, this is the right program for you.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	06J:125:EX6
Course Department:	Entrepreneurial Strategy
Instructor:	McCarthy
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The instructor gave us good real life examples. He was very enthusiatic and i enjoyed being in class.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Auditing
Course Department:	06A:144:EX6
Instructor:	Heintz
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Auditing is a difficult subject that I would not recommend taking in 4 weeks. It is just too much work in a short amount of time.
Credit Transfer Issues: