Milano: Modernized yet customary Italy Past Review
By Susanna V (Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations., University of Rochester) for
IES Abroad: Milan - Study Abroad With IES Abroad
It was so worthwhile. I learned so much about the Italian culture. I learned a lot about myself as well. Amazing experience.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload was minimal for the majority of the semester. My Italian class was the only class with constant load of homework. That class was a good challenge. The rest of the classes I ended with As by only doing work a few times in the semester. It was much easier than my home university. The teaching and grading systems are different, but they've tried to Americanize it as much as possible. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The faculty at the Milan center was beyond helpful and personable. They are a great group, and they do all they can to help all of the students. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We were in a great location. Whatever wasn't provided or was necessary was easy to find very nearby to the apartment. |
| * Food: |
The food is the very last thing anyone would complain about after being in Italy. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I spent my whole time abroad in Italy. I loved every part about learning about their culture. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
I always felt safe. There were only a couple small problems with students, but nothing drastic, and it was handled quickly and efficiently. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
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? | It depended on whether I went out to eat a lot during the week or not. I would say I spent an average of 70 Euros per week on food and personal items. When I traveled on weekends, it was more expensive. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Know that you'll be broke when you come home, but it will be well worth it. I was happier to return with little money and have done as much as I did than to have returned with a lot of money. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Italian 151 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
My CA/roommate was Italian. I spoke Italian with her and my other roommates as we were all learning the language. I also had a language exchange partner who I met with a few times a week. It was necessary to speak Italian in Milan. Most Italians there don't know English. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I say go for it! I absolutely loved everything about my program! You need to be willing to get into the culture and learn the language. |
