Life Abroad in Perugia Past Review
By Erica A (Business, University of South Carolina - Columbia) for
CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Semester in Perugia
I feel that I learned how to be more independent and learn to go with the flow from my study abroad experience. You can't always have control over entire situations, especially while traveling. Studying abroad taught me how to deal with issues that may arise and how to be more easy going.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I found there was a much different teaching method than I experienced in my three semester at my home university. For starters classes were much smaller and there was more one on one time with the teacher. The teachers were more willing to work with you individually. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The one site staff were very personable and helpfully. I feel as if they knew me on an individual level instead as just a student part of a large group. They were very knowledgeable on how to transfer credits back to my home university. They also helped me become familiar with the foreign university that I was enrolled in as well as the town itself. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was prepared for the worst but I was pleasantly surprised with the arrangements. My apartment came with all the necessities I needed (linens and a fully stocked kitchen). It was located within walking distance to the center of town, the university and pretty much any place around. The only thing that took some time to adjust to was the lack of internet. |
| * Food: |
I found all the local restaurants to be amazing as well as decently priced for a student studying abroad. I also had access to many local markets where I could get tons of fresh fruits and vegetables for a very reasonable price. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My program hosted a tandem night every week which allowed me to get to know some of the local Italian students as well as practice my Italian. This made me feel more at home as well as immersed in the town. I didn't feel like a tourist just visiting but someone who actually lived there. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
There was never a time that I felt unsafe in Perugia. |
| 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) |
|
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I participated in a full immersion program so I took all my classes in Italian with Italian speaking professors. This gave me the opportunity to use my language skills everyday. I also lived with students from other countries and our only form of communication was to use Italian. Most people in the town knew very little English if any at all so I had a lot of daily practice using the language. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
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? | If you are looking to learn and practice the Italian language I would strongly recommend this program. You will feel at home in no time! |
