Take your experience into your own hands Past Review
By A student (Business and Anthropology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/29/2017 to 12/15/2017 with
IES Abroad: Milan - Study Abroad With IES Abroad
You need to go beyond your comfort zone, but never forget your values. Through this, you definitely learn a lot more about a culture, develop on your language skills, and see who you are as a person when you are away from those you are comfortable with or use to.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes are okay, nothing crazy that you can't handle. Just a lot of information, but professors are willing to help you out. Just don't ask for help at last minute because it's a lot of information to go through. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They are always responsive and friendly. Great people to have easy connections with. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in the college dorm, which was super cold (Fall 2017) in my own room. The building could only turn on the heat when "the government gave the approval." Other than that, the faculty were very responsive and friendly. They took care of your concerns when they could. |
| * Food: |
It's "school food," but you do have plenty and a variety. The college dorming, Collegio di Milano, only fed you for breakfast and dinner during the week. All three meals were provided on the weekends. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
If you're open to integrating into the culture, you won't have a problem because you can find people that are welcoming. But if you are not open to it, which some people unfortunately do, then you'll have a hard time. Knowing a little of the language really helps too. Even knowing Spanish helps when trying to speak to some Italian locals. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't personally have any health issues, but others did. Based on what I know about those people's situation, which is very little, they were taken care of. |
| * Safety: |
Make sure to be alert 100% of the time of your belongings (pockets and purses) because some people do get robbed. I fortunately didn't get robbed. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I didn't like being in a study center, and my city of stay was very small and did not have many sites. |
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) |
I personally received a huge scholarship (apply!!!!), so budgeting for food and travel was not a problem. I also brought enough toiletries to survive the whole semester. People (male and female) definitely spent a lot of money buying clothes, and Milan's clothing is pricey (but you can definitely find those cheaper places - food and clothing). Plus, student discounts really help when going into entertainment (museums) and public transportation. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | This is how l would budget for Milan if eating out for every meal: breakfast 3-5 euros; lunch 10-15 euros (there are definitely cheaper places); dinner 10-15 euros. For grocery shopping, I did 40 euros for the week. This is budgeting for comfortable eating (not penny-pinching or expensive living). |
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 |
I didn't receive any encouragement because I was around other American, English speaking students. However, that didn't stop me from practicing the language myself when interacting with locals at restaurants and stores. |
| 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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 2 semesters of Italian |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Take one semester/class at least, if you really want the basics of the language, and PAY ATTENTION in the language class!!! |
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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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
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? | That the people of my city of stay SMOKE A LOT |
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.' |
