Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Siena study abroad: small and intimate and slow pace. Past Review

By (Interior Design and Business Entrepreneurship, Oregon State University) for

GEO: Siena - Study Abroad Programs in Siena

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I had a good experience and have no regrets but if I were to do this over again I would do things differently.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

They were considerate when assigning homework which is very nice considering students travel on weekends. However I do think in class work and discussions could have been better, more interactive and informational. To be honest I feel like I did not learn much.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Inform students more about the program, I was expecting something very different. Before student arrives/ pays have a session completely dedicating to informing the student exactly what they are paying for.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

food was everywhere but expensive unless you want to eat pizza everyday.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

field trips were good. More of them would have been nice if course work was incorporated.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

city is very safe. nothing to worry about there.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

talking to other italian students was nice in order to meet people but not exceptionally helpful with the American students trying to speak italian.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • it was fine, to be honest nothing exceptional stands out about the program except for the faculty was very helpful and did their jobs to the fullest.
* What could be improved?
  • I have a biased oppinion because I made a compromise studying in a small city. I was pretty upset about my environments class, I did not learn much about current environmental issues in italy and I really wanted to. improve academics.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? A person who doesn't mind spending time alone and enjoys simple pleasures would benefit from studying in Siena.