We consistently wished we were being filmed for reality tv. January 24, 2023
By Isabel M (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/17/2022 to 12/21/2022 with
Eastern College Consortium (ECCO): Bologna - Università di Bologna Study Abroad Program
I learned that what I contribute is more social and comedic rather than intellectual and I am totally fine with that. So worthwhile and so much fun. I learned I dont want to live too far from my family, however. I also am now encouraged to learn more languages.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Professors were hit or miss, subjects werent terribly interesting to me, rigor was not too intense which I was happy about. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administrators were there for you every step of the way, checking in and supporting you. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My residence was in a good location but the dorms themselves were very clinical and did not create space for feeling at home. I also had a terrible roommate experience and wish we had lived with people in our program. |
| * Food: |
One of the best parts of the experience. And affordable. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I frequented places where UNIBO students go and met lots of Italians who we’re very friendly. I could have engaged with more Italians, however, but that is a personal choice. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never went to the doctor because I had heard some bad and scary stories about the program doctor. It was easy to go to the pharmacy and ask the pharmacist for advice, however. |
| * Safety: |
Being a woman in a city is scary and I have never been cat-called more in my life. A man exposed himself to my friend and I right in front of our dorm. I also had a friend who experienced a robbery on a trip in Italy. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Met some of my favorite people, fun memories, great directors. Wish I didnt have to take classses tho. Except Ivan’s. I could take just his class all day. |
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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 175 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Pregame and just have one cocktail or a couple shots. There’s a place that does dollar shots near Forni (its like Peach vodka but not bad if you aren’t sober) |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | Intermediate Italian (203) |
| 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? | You speak better when tipsy |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 0 |
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? | Red wine is not good coming back up |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
