Bologna--I'd Come Back Again! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The internal courses provided by ECCO were much more organized, intensive, and dare I say harder than courses offered by the University.

On-site administration of your program

Dr. Dioli and her support team, Giuliana and Ivan, were excellent! They were extremely helpful, informative, and prepared to face even the most trivial requests from us American students.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was assigned Ghigi 1, the co-ed student quarters, and was lucky enough to have fantastic housemates who welcomed me and genuinely wanted to give me a true Italian experience. My only complaint was the condition of our apartment. Our toilet didn't work, many shelvings and lighting units in my room were broken, our refrigerator leaked, and the shower stall was clogged from age and lack of maintenance. Also, the communal laundry machines often broke down during the semester.

Each student was given a food stipend each month. While it won't allow you to have gourmet meals three times a day, the daily stipend was a very fair amount if you eat reasonably. I cooked everyday at my apartment, and I was able to save money from the stipend.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I spent most of my time with my housemates and other Italian students. We often went out to local markets and events together. We also cooked and watched TV together most weeknights. Life in the city of Bologna isn't much different than that in the U.S.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Our amazing program directors provided us with all the information we needed to access healthcare. I never needed health assistance, but there were many local pharmacies, and the program provided an on-call American doctor (who lives in Bologna) just for us American students.

There were many break-ins and theft cases in the student quarter where I lived in--however this was caused by the students' lack of attention in closing the main gates properly. Also (not to be crude...) many prostitutes obviously roam the streets of Bologna late at night, but I always saw police cars on patrol every time I stayed out and walked home late. Bologna is not a dangerous city if students are attentive and use common sense.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I am heavily on financial aid at Wellesley College, and while I did live comfortably in Bologna, I was not able to travel, go out, and shop like other students who had more spending money. I feel like it really affected my experience abroad, in the sense that I didn't get to "see Europe" or physically bring much of it back. However, be aware that ALL the Italian students in the student quarters are on financial aid at UNIBO. Therefore, they don't have much money. I felt like my experience was extremely authentic because I spent most of my time with the Italian students and my housemates doing low-budget things and, ultimately, speaking Italian and having fun.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

The program required and provided intensive speaking and writing courses, which were extremely helpful to students who took regular courses at the university. All the internal courses were in Italian! Also, all of our exams were oral exams in Italian.

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• Apartment

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• Local Students

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• Food allowance
• AMAZING directors
• Freedom (you could participate in the program's weekend trips or do your own thing...no pressure!)

• Better living quarters
• Better internet
• Internship opportunities