Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Great Experience August 16, 2024

By (Italian, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/15/2024 to 05/16/2024 with

Eastern College Consortium (ECCO): Bologna - Università di Bologna Study Abroad Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I think I became so much more fluent when I went to Italy. I was able to speak to many Italian people about their worldly views and personal thoughts. I think this helped me broaden my horizon in life.

Personal Information

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.

I loved it! I think that the courses were rigorous but there was a lot of help from the program and the professors.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very nice people who will help with anything and everything.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was pretty satisfied. It is annoying to have to share a room with someone else where communication might be difficult to maintain. However, I think it was also good to live with other Italian people. I think that this is something that should be talked about more before the start of the trip.

* Food:

Food was great!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had some health issues during my study abroad and the program was able to help me find a doctor and also help me get there in the first place.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I think I would. I am happy with the people in the program and their help throughout the program. I think they could be a little overbearing at times (like on field trips) but overall they were very good.

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)

The student budget did help me a lot. I think that maybe helping with budgeting on how to use it would be better. Buying food at the supermarket was much cheaper than expected so that was a really good plus.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

A lot! They hoped we would speak italian with friends which did develop throughout the program.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Itas 365
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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?
  • Trips
  • Guidance
  • Help
* What could be improved?
  • More trust (during trips)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew a little bit more about living in a dorm. Specifically in knowing that there were going to be curfews for people not living in the dorm or not allowing them to sleep over unless they left their license. I think things like this would have been helpful.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'