Italy is Where the Heart Is Past Review
By Nitsa D (Anthropology, The College of Wooster) - abroad from 01/11/2016 to 05/13/2016 with
IES Abroad: Milan - Study Abroad With IES Abroad
I gained a multifaceted range of personal, professional, and academic skills while strengthening my cultural competence abroad. I learned to step outside my comfort zone, apply my major in a culturally diverse setting, travel, and found plenty of opportunities to enhance my abroad experience. This time in my life was worthwhile in the upmost ways because the eye-opening experience made me stronger, independent, attentive, adventurous, and more. Milan and Italy itself has become a second home to me. I look forward to my return in the future to visit my host family, local friends, and explore other hidden gems in Italy. Upon my return home I realized travel never ends.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
My overall educational experience was fulfilling. I had reasonable access to resources for moderate to high intensive coursework depending on the subject. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The on-site administration were enthusiastic and did not hesitate to help any student if they had a question or needed assistance. The Milan IES staff were truly enjoyable to work with while abroad! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a homestay and was satisfied with my living arrangements. Living with an Italian family helped me learn the Italian language quicker, as well as learn more about the culture and way of living. |
| * Food: |
The food has a fresher quality and is easily accessible in supermarkets and farm markets. The best part of my Italian food experience was whenever I had the opportunity to cook with my host family, eat daily meals with them, and celebrate special events. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt integrated into the local culture because I put in the time and effort to understand what the local culture is, utilized the local language (e.g. verbal and non-verbal, such as hand gestures), and attended public events (e.g. festivals). |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have an experience with healthcare, however, it was easily accessible. My program took the time to assist students who needed healthcare attention. |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe walking alone and utilizing public transportation. IES Abroad required all students to have a working and charged phone that could be used in case of emergency. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I enjoyed the Italian culture, meeting locals, and exploring the streets of a historically rich city. The destinations I visited within Italy and other countries were life changing experiences. I was able to meet relatives in Slovakia for the first time and re-visit other relatives in Greece. From Milan, there is easy access to public transport and train stations that made traveling to new locations with more ease and spur of the moment adventure. |
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) |
Living on a student budget is possible with any dollar amount. You have to be aware of where you spend your money, what you spend it on, and how frequently. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent less than $50 a week on food and other expenses since I lived with a host family and meals were provided. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be mindful of your budget by the time you land at your abroad destination. It will be easier to spend money from the get-go rather than pacing your spending habits for other expenses later on. |
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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | N/A |
| 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? | The best way to practice the language is to speak it at any possible moment you can, especially while out in the city. You will build confidence as you go, build a stronger vocabulary, and have fun speaking the language throughout the process. |
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? | I knew of some global news that was currently taking place in Europe but I wish I had known how it influenced the city I was living in before hand. Some moments I encountered raised a lot of questions that I did not necessarily expect, such as certain social issues. |
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.' |
