Past Review
By Kimberly D (Italian Language and Literature., Providence College) for
IES Abroad: Milan - Study Abroad With IES Abroad
I am more outgoing and independent and I have learned that I can be successful even in a foreign country. I loved studying abroad, if i could have, I would have finished school in Milan and started working there, it was an amazing experience.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universita` Cattolica del Sacro Cuore |
| 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. |
For people who did not need to take course aught in Italian the program would not have been too difficult academically, but for me who was required to take all my classes in Italian it was definitely a challenging but fruitful experience. The professors and people who worked at IES were super helpful, and the R.A.s were amazing. The hardest part was just learning things I had never learned before in a foreign language. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everyone was so friendly and so very helpful, it was as if you have a second family. They all care and help you out whenever you ask. They understand how different americans students are and are very accommodating. I honestly do not have anything bad to say, the program is great and you have to make the most out of it. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Alberto Mario, 67 in Milano, zona San Siro (near the stadium). I had 4 roommates, 3 americans and one Italian. The apartment was gorgeous and rather large, I was lucky and got placed into one of the nicer ones. My Italian roommate, and now a great friend, was super helpful and friendly. The apartment was right near a metro stop and was a 20 min commute (at most) to the IES Center. I loved this apartment it was right in the city which is amazing. <br /><br /> Apartments come furnished. Mine was also right near the soccer stadium which was awesome because europeans love soccer and it was simple to go to a game. The area is not dangerous but you always have to be aware and be street smart no matter what. It was a mix of a urban family neighborhood and shops. The metro as right by and easy to hop on for shopping or for going to clubs. |
| * Food: |
Not applicable. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The cubs are fun and the shopping was amazing. It was so neat to see how others m age live in a different country and what they do socially, it was fun. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Safety was fine, you honestly just have to look out for yourself and for others no matter how "safe" an area might be. There were no issues or threats in Milan, as long as you were street smart and stayed out of the shady areas (like with every big city) you were fine. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Babysit! I didn't do it because i was swamped with homework and my internship but it s a great way to earn extra cash while abroad, my roommates and friends did it ad enjoyed it. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
There was a language exchange program and I would meet a partner every eek and talk for around an hour with them. I also lived with an Italian roommate and could speak with her in Italian if i wanted to practice. Plus, being in Milan which is not really a tourist area, you needed to know some Italian because no one really spoke english. I loved it and improved my italian with my actual course as well. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Do not stick with all of the Americans in the program, go out into the city and explore! Yu are studying abroad to have new experiences and meet new people, not to do the regular American college kid thing, so go make some foreign friends and see how the rest of the world lives! |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
ITA 300/350 |
| Course Department: | Italian |
| Instructor: | Ilaria Muzzi |
| Instruction Language: | Italian |
| Comments: | Muzzi is by far my favorite Italian teacher (i have beeen taking Italian since the 7th grade). Her classes were challenging but helped me improve my Italan so much and she was very helpful and friendly. I would definitely recommend her. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | The issue with my credit transfer was that Providence would not let some of the credits count towards my major, rather just count as electives, which I find a bit frustrating because of all the hard work i did in Italian, which is my major. |
