I felt very safe in Montepulciano, more safe than I feel in Milledgeville. Past Review
By Samantha G (PSYCHOLOGY., Georgia College & State University) for
Georgia College and State University: Montepulciano - GCSU in Montepulciano
Yes. I loved learning about a new country and new people. I knew no one going and was terrified of going alone. I accomplished a lot, made a couple new friends, and explored lands I had never seen. I fell in love with the country side of Italy and can't wait to go back someday!
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Summer 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I loved being taught by my professor from my school. I took two photography courses and learned many techniques. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
One example, we had some problems with our apartment, like no hot water or a washing machine, which other apartments had. And the problems were not solved until almost the end of our 6 week stay. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was a nice two bedroom apartment for 4 girls. It was on the backside of the mountian, not in town, so it had amazing views of the country side. But it was the farthest apartment from the rest of our groups' apartments. <br /><br /> Because of the water and washing machine problem, and problems with the landlord. And also our apartment was the "humblest" of all the apartments in our group and farthest from our group. |
| * Food: |
The food was really good! But then we started getting the same thing over and over. And they had a hard time accommodating for people who did not eat certian types of meat, for example. But the service was excellent, they were so nice and friendly! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I liked how our program is designed, but I wish it was design better so that we did not have to literally run through Rome and Florence to make it back on time everyday. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in Montepulciano, more safe than I feel in Milledgeville. The Italians said that crime rarely happens in the town and if it does, everyone already knows about it before its going to happen. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | My friends and I saved money on food because we bought food to cook. If you eat out everyday it will be more expensive. But you can by very cheap food, like pizza for 1 Euro for or you can have a more expensive sit down meal. It just depends. Water is not free. I am not sure how much I spent, I saved a lot on food, but I spent more on souvenirs. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Dont blow all your money on food. Don't regret not buying a souvenir you really wanted, but don't buy them all, shop around. You have to pay to go to the bathroom, or either buy something from the shop, every single time. And sometime they do not have toilet paper. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Our program offered no courses in Italian. I did not know any Italian before going on my trip and was a bit terrified. But because I had taken Spanish classed, that helped me pick up Italian. And by the end of the trip I knew the necessary words and learned a lot of Italian I felt like. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes 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? | I would advise you to think about choosing a program that offers courses that doesn't restrict you to the classroom, or at least for too long. Because after all, you are in another country to learn not only about your classes, but about the country and everything it has to offer. So don't limit yourself to the classroom! |
