Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Drink your coffee and explore Past Review

By (Santa Clara University) - abroad from 09/01/2015 to 12/18/2015 with

IES Abroad: Milan - Study Abroad With IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about myself and became a completely functional adult through my abroad experience. It taught me how to live in the city and how different American cities and city culture is compared to Italy.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 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:

It is Italy, bad food does not exist.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Beware of pickpockets and petty theft, I heard two stories of students being mugged. Was also in Milan during the Paris attacks and dealt with security issues from that afterwards, but otherwise safe.

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

It was so much fun and I had such a great time that I would definitely do it all over again.

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)

Milan isn't the cheapest place to be in Italy or Europe, but it was pretty cheap overall. Consumables like food and drinks are pretty cheap in grocery stores. Also because the Euro is decreasing against the dollar it is become cheaper and more economical.

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Spend your money for travel, it is definitely worth it.

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

It depended on the person and where you lived. I know one student who actually became worse at Italian because he lived with all Americans and did not use his Italian. In contrast, I had a friend who did not know Italian before coming to Italy, lived in a homestay and learned a year's worth of college Italian class in just three months.

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? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Italian 3
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? Live with a homestay and speak Italian everywhere you go. Most people speak English so if you get stuck you can use English. The more you speak the better you get. Once you can hold a conversation and get a date with an Italian all in Italian, then you know you are good at Italian.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The unique opportunities
  • Ability to travel a lot
* What could be improved?
  • Administrative organization
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Bring a pair of shorts and a thick jacket. It can be very hot when you first get there and can be very cold just before you leave.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.