Siena: Cultural Experience Unlike Any Other Past Review
By Patrick M (History, University of Oregon) for
GEO: Siena - Study Abroad Programs in Siena
I learned valuable living and traveling experience with a group and with other young people my age from different cultures, as well as the importance of comparing languages and history to better relate to each other.
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. |
Piergiacomo and all the other Italian teachers were welcoming and informative, and Martha from Portland State was the best bit of home to take with us. Facilities were easy to get to and homely, and Siena could not be a better place to immerse yourself in culture. Calmer than Rome and Milan, just as beautiful and cultural as Florence. Overall awesome experience. |
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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: |
You'll never have to worry about going hungry in Italy, no matter what budget you're on. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The Vatican and the rest of Rome and the side trips to Chianti and Spannochia. |
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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
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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) |
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Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Spend the most time in Siena as possible, and see why it is a secret of Tuscany. The Sienese people are so nice and you'll meet other Italians who choose specifically Siena to live and study. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Italian Language 2nd Year |
| Course Department: | OSIE 288 |
| Instructor: | Roberto Fineschi |
| Instruction Language: | Italian |
| Comments: | Challenging, indeed. Only three students overall in my class, so it was very relaxed and friendly. Tests were very hard, due to the majority of practice in class being oral. Worksheets would be appreciated next time. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No better way to learn a language than to go back to its roots. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Art History: Italian Renaissance |
| Course Department: | OSIE 388 |
| Instructor: | Piergiacomo Petroli |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Piergiacomo is the coolest, funniest, most memorable, catchiest art history professor in the area. Trust him for any brilliant commentary or interesting facts about arts and artists. Learned so much from him! |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
