Learn so much Italian from the Italians, you almost start to feel like one Past Review
By A student (Truman State University) - abroad from 02/05/2018 to 05/11/2018 with
CUNY - College of Staten Island: Venice - Study Abroad at Istituto Venezia
Independence and value for the differences of other cultures. Huge fan of Italy's coffee culture
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Good bunch of students in the city from other universities like Ca Foscari, easy to meet new people by hanging out in certain spots in the evenings |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Pharmacies in Europe have many of the same quality medications in the United States, but are rather expensive. Program itself provides a nice health insurance plan in case of any major health issues. |
| * Safety: |
Because its primary source of income is tourism, Venice has a high budget for security. Likely the safest major city in Italy, even walking around at 3 am I'd pass 3-4 polizia on patrol |
| 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) |
We're honestly pretty lucky Truman State is in a rural part of the country, as far as cheap food is concerned. Venice is a tourist trap, and food is expensive, especially meat. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 60-70 euro, or ~$85 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy lots of pasta and rice. Don't eat at restaurants in or near the San Marco quarter, food there is pricey and tastes like it was marinated in Venice's dirtiest canal |
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 |
Fantastic language program, would highly recommend even if you have no prior experience with Italian. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | No Italian, but I had taken French and Latin before |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | When you're exploring the town (because you will, it's Venice), try to only speak the little Italian you know to the locals. I never met a rude Italian, and they'll help you out if you ask what a word means. |
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? | The school helps you get a public transport card that all Venetian citizens and students have -- it works for the waterbus, but also the bus to the airport. Didn't know this though, and spent ~40€ on unnecessary tickets to the airport |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
