Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Taught me how to live la dolce vita Past Review

By (Political Economy., Fordham University) - abroad from 09/01/2012 to 12/21/2012 with

IES Abroad: Milan - Study Abroad With IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Got me in touch with my Italian roots, introduced me to the Italian culture's perspective on life, very different from the go-go-go American one

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

I was placed in a dorm with a cafeteria and gym, therefore many of these weekly expenses were covered up-front by the dorm fee.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? See previous comment

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Intermediate I
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? Definitely have an internship, enroll in Italian classes, or hang out with Italian students, break the abroad student bubble.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Interaction with Italian Students
  • Internship
  • Italian language growth
* What could be improved?
  • The Italian educational system
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That my statistics final was not tailored to the material covered in class (not too much) but instead just the material on the syllabus. In all seriousness, it would have been more efficient for me to not go to class, the professor never covered the correct things

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 Linguist
You 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!