Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

My Experience in Milan, Italy Past Review

By (Business, Trinity University) - abroad from 08/30/2017 to 12/15/2017 with

IES Abroad: Milan - Study Abroad With IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned to see the world through a different perspective and became a more adaptable and flexible person.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Studying abroad was a great experience that gave me exposure and flexibility to travel and learn from different cultures. The classes were easy to learn, and understand, but had the essential learning components. Overall, it was an amazing learning experience!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administration of the program was well-organized and this made the entire experience easier. The program had trips and events planned. If I have to think about potential ways to improve the program, it would be to create more program sponsored events so that we can interact with the participants of the program constantly.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The living arrangements were great as I expected them to be. The only negative aspect was that sometimes I felt that the place was far away from all the other places and there was not much to do in its surrounding area.

* Food:

I liked the food, however, I felt that the quantity was not proper.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Since it was an American-based program, sometimes it was difficult to interact with the local culture because you were trapped in this "bubble". Luckily, I took courses at Italian universities and I felt that this helped me to interact with local italians.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had no experience related with health care.

* Safety:

I felt safe at all times and I had no issues or problems with anything.

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

My experience was really good, so I would do it again! You learn a lot from experiences like these one.

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)

Money can be an issue, but you need to prioritize your spending habits and decide how to allocate money efficiently.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About $10 per day.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? In general, it is important to choose your priorities and spend on those priorities. Whether it is travel, entertainment or simply hanging out, one must decide what you prefer to do first and spend on that.

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 encouraged me to learn more about the Italian 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? None, I had no experience with Italian
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? Try to immerse in the culture, and avoid switching to another language. Another tip is learn from your mistakes.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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?
  • I liked to travel, speak a new language, understand another culture.
* What could be improved?
  • Trips and activities organized.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I would have liked to know that time flies extremely fast, so it is important to take advantage of every second.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.