A once in a lifetime experience. Past Review

By Abbey LoBello (Pennsylvania State University - University Park / Penn State) - abroad from 01/14/2019 to 05/10/2019 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 of skills like adaptability and especially how to adapt to another culture respectfully. I also think I learned a lot academically through my classes it was definitely worthwhile.

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:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes The program is incredible at giving students opportunities to meet peers and also experience the culture of Milan. The variety of courses is amazing and the IES trips are also awesome ways to travel throughout Italy.

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)
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	I spent the most on trips so probably around 50-$75 on a good week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Cooking is so helpful because of the grocery stores being really affordable in Italy. I was able to save a lot of money by cooking a lot of my meals.

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
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?	Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	I had never taken Italian, but took Intermediate Spanish in college
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 6-course Italian class really helped with this! But before leaving I downloaded the app duolingo to learn the basics.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Apartment
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Local Students Americans
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?	10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	Friends and faculty Opportunity to Travel with IES The planned activities
* What could be improved?	more detailed communication about the living beforehand a better system for taking students to the doctor more planned student activities
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Probably how incredible but also accessible Milan is!

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Investigating the Mafia in Literature, Cinema, and Media
Course Department:	LT/CU
Instructor:	Maria Sepa
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Such a fascinating course in my opinion and something I would never be able to take at my home university. It challenged me to think differently than I typically do and I enjoyed the group work and final presentation and felt extremely prepared for the exams.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No transfer credit issues