GO MILAN September 14, 2022
By Max H (Marketing, Indiana University - Bloomington) - abroad from 01/19/2022 to 05/13/2022 with
IES Abroad: Milan - Study Abroad With IES Abroad
Don't be afraid to lead your own path. Don't be a follower, do what you want to do. I am now much more independent and confident because I stepped out of my comfort zone frequently.
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. |
Professors were all very nice, helpful, and proficient in English. They provided a great international perspective in the business classroom and a good variety of course offerings. The required Italian language class was both fun and beneficial. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They always encouraged making the most of our experience through field trip offerings, weekly newsletters, and friendly advice. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was cool and fun living with Italian students in a dorm that provided food. It was a little far from city center, but the metro system was easy to navigate. |
| * Food: |
Do I have to say anything? Always the best quality and most fresh. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Very integrative. Classes were in the city, I lived in an Italian dorm, and people were friendly. Professors and faculty always pushed for talking to locals and gave advice whenever possible. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Always watch your pockets, don't leave valuables in an easy place to snatch (floor, restaurant table). |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I chose to go to Milan for multiple reasons, all which held true. First the food. As an Italian food fanatic, living in Italy was heaven. Only the best and most fresh food every day. Second was the location. Milan's central location in Europe and three major airports makes flying to any other European city quick and easy. Lastly, Italy's diverse geography and culture provided for an amazing new destination every weekend. An hour train ride north got you to the Alps and south got you to Tuscany. The IES staff were always very nice and supportive, and ensured that I had the best experience possible. They always made an effort to give advice for both our travels and academics. Speaking of academics, all the professors were great at English, easy to communicate with, and provided a great international perspective in the business classroom setting. Studying abroad was the best experience ever, and Milan was the best place to do it. |
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) |
While things can get expensive, don't hold yourself back on this once an a lifetime experience. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | PLAN WEEKEND TRIPS AHEAD OF TIME TO GET THE CHEAPEST FLIGHTS. DONT WAIT TILL THE LAST MINUTE. |
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? | Hebrew III |
| 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? | Locals like when you genuinely attempt to use Italian, so try using in public. |
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? |
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? | Plan trips wayyyy ahead of time for much cheaper prices. |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
