Supportive experience for Italian cultural immersion! January 29, 2026
By A student (Italian Language, Literature, Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/21/2025 to 12/19/2025 with
Eastern College Consortium (ECCO): Bologna - Università di Bologna Study Abroad Program
I'm definitely more independent in regards to solo travel and speaking Italian, I enjoyed the opportunity to experience a different culture/language/country!
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. |
I loved my experience in Bologna!!!!! The administrators and professors are super friendly and supportive, I learned a ton from my conversations with them! I also improved my Italian a TON through helpful and clear feedback. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I love the admin, they're super helpful and a great resource. |
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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? |
We took a ton of field trips around Bologna for our classes and we visited other Italian cities like Napoli for a longer weekend trip! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I love everyone at ECCo, I would recommend the program to anyone who wants to learn Italian in a supportive and engaging environment! |
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? | Around 75 euro/week for food (including eating out at restaurants/fast food and groceries) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Stock up on foods like rice and pasta to make sure meals are filling. |
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? | 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? | Intermediate Italian |
| 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? | Use Italian everywhere and anytime! You'll miss being able to practice all the time when you're back in your home country. |
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? | Roommate conflicts happen everywhere and it's better to speak up and move rather than sacrificing your emotional wellbeing for the sake of 'being a chill roommate.' |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
