Fantastic Instruction and Cultural Immersion Past Review
By Calvin Tang (Grinnell College) - abroad from 09/03/2018 to 12/14/2018 with
IES Abroad Milan - Music: Voice, Composition & Instrumental
I felt very fortunate to receive the kind of private instrumental instruction that I did and of such a high caliber as well. It was very refreshing to be able to focus 100% on playing saxophone and improving my musicianship. I was also able to immerse myself in Italian culture through my homestay experience and service learning seminar, which allowed me to volunteer at a local soup kitchen every week!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Center staff were among one of the nicest group of people I've met. Extremely caring, helpful, and always ensured that we were enjoying our experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Absolutely loved my homestay family and it was an integral part of my cultural immersion. |
| * Food: |
Can't say anything bad about Italian food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I was sick with tonsilitus twice, both of which I first checked in with the Student Affairs assistant and was accompanied with a CA to ensure that I could get the necessary information across. I was given a prescription and was able to buy the medicine no problem! |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in Milan, and I feel like the center/homestay family did a good job advising us on where and when are places you should try ot avoid. |
| 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? | 75-100 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try to avoid touristy areas where prices generally go way up |
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? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate German (200 lvl course) |
| 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? | Practice is key - try to speak as much as you possibly can (which means even during class!) |
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? | It's always a good idea to plan ahead and set some goals about what you want to get out of the program, even if they are quite simple. |
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! |
