5 months living on "Cloud 9" Past Review
By A student (Finance and Financial Management Services., Fordham University) - abroad from 01/08/2012 to 05/21/2012 with
IES Abroad: Milan - Study Abroad With IES Abroad
Appreciation of other cultures as well as culture in the US Became more independent Became more open minded
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Università commerciale Luigi Bocconi |
| 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. |
IES abroad Milan has many options to take classes at several different Universities. I attended Cattolica and Bocconi University, taking 3 Finance classes, and Art History and Italian, which was a great combination. The Art History class was a great learning experience because we visited many different sights that we were learning about in class. These sights were related to Leonardo Da Vinci, for example, the last supper. There were other History classes offered that also had field trips during class time. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Administration was very friendly, as most people are in Italy. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
There are many different housing options in IES Milan. This includes a family live in, apartments or dorms. I lived in an apartment because I wanted to be extremely independent while studying abroad and also experience something different than I was used to back at Fordham (dorms). My favorite party of having my own apartment was being a host by having friends over for italian appetizers/wine or dinner. |
| * Food: |
Mozzarella, piadinas, gelato, nutella, pasta... Italian food is simply the best. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The great thing about IES Milan is that you have the opportunity to take class with other full time students in Milan. Most of them are Italian, or from other countries in Europe. This gives you a great chance to meet friends from different backgrounds. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had to attend the university health service once and it was very quick and simple. My Italian was conversational so one of the CA's in the program who was fluent offered to come with me to translate my needs, since medical terms can be more complicated. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe all of the time in Milan. |
| 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) |
Milan is an expensive city. However, if you are smart it is possible to use your money wisely. See my comments below for tips. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Public transportation is VERY cheap. It is only $17 a month to use the metro system which includes subways and trams that are very easy and safe to use. Going out to dinner is very common in Italy and cheaper than what I am used to in NY and other places I visit. Also, there is no tip. You can go out to a nice dinner for under 15 euro easily. You can go to "aperativo" during the evening and get a drink and buffet of food for about 7 euro. Lunch can be very inexpensive. Huge paninis range from 2.50-4 euro. Spa type services like waxine/hair cuts are very cheap in Milan. In NY a normal hair cut is at least $65 dollars for women. In Milan it is typical to pay only 20 euro or less. There are certain nights of the week where there are student specials at clubs in Milan, usually promoted on facebook. |
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? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| 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? | Don't be shy to speak the language! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Everything was clearly stated before I did the program |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
