Milan: Old, New, Beautiful. Program = Music, Tradition, and Innovation Past Review
By Haley Stevenson (Butler University) - abroad from 01/15/2018 to 05/11/2018 with
IES Abroad: Milan - Study Abroad With IES Abroad
Over the course of my time in Italy, I learned conversational Italian language skills by communicating with locals in their native tongue. I had the chance to demonstrate independence and immersion in a new culture through living in downtown Milan and taking classes from Italian teachers. My music classes encouraged teamwork and cooperation in spite of language barriers. Overall, the experience has definitely changed me for the better!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I loved the class options and the teachers were fantastic. Don't be afraid to take Italian even if you have never taken a foreign language. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
It was clear that the staff is experienced and able to handle any problem that occurs. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The apartment I lived in was a nice accommodation--we had a furnished living room and kitchen. However, I was unsatisfied with the fact that I had 6 roommates, none of which I became friends with. We simply had very different interests and lifestyles, and it would have been better if IES created an opportunity to live with people who have similar interests and lifestyles. Not to mention that the 7 of us shared a small kitchen and one washing machine, and our neighbors often complained that we were too loud, even though we were not, because of past American students who caused problems. |
| * Food: |
I received no food from the program, but it is impossible to eat bad food in Milan! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Perhaps if I had stayed in a homestay, I would have been more immersed, but as it was I felt that I was able to adequately converse with locals by the end of my stay. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never had a serious health issue, but there was a system in place for doctors to actually come to your home if you needed one. In addition, the healthcare system made it very cheap to buy over-the-counter medicine when needed. |
| * Safety: |
Milan is a very safe place to live. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I think IES is a very well-established program that listens to reviews and improves each year. I would make different decisions regarding housing and internships, but that is a personal decision and not related to IES. |
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 had to pay for all of my own food, but I managed well. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring less stuff and more money. Bring a smaller suitcase than you think you need, and that will prevent you from going over your suitcase weight limit at the airport when you return home. |
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? | None |
| 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? | I have completed six years of Spanish, and none of 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? | Speak it as much as you can. Practice with your roommates and your CA. If you live in a homestay, you will most likely be forced to use it to communicate with them. |
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 wish I knew that taking an internship in addition to my classes would have been a good idea. I had the time, and you can get an internship in pretty much any field you desire. The internship staff is extremely accommodating. I also wish I knew that the program would be bundled with the Business program and the other programs. It would have prepared me for the few amount of music students that would be there. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
