Learning from Living Past Review
By Mariah Bensley (Hope College) - abroad from 01/15/2018 to 05/04/2018 with
IES Abroad: Siena - IES Abroad Center
I learned how to be more confident in myself. There is a thrill that comes from going abroad on your own and making a life. My time abroad left me feeling as if I could truly handle myself in more ways than I previously believed.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The courses were very rewarding, and the wonderful part was that I rarely felt stressed out for any assignment! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
I have celiac disease and Siena was a hard city to live in to accommodate this dietary restriction, though it was doable. Rome and Florence were wonderful cities to travel to because they had a lot more options for me. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Siena is a very safe feeling city. Do not go here unaware of danger, but while on my study abroad trip I never felt scared walking the streets by myself, even at night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
Though I loved my program and would not change my first experience for any other city, if I went back to study again in Italy, I would like to try Rome. Siena was a good gateway into the Italian life. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About $80 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy groceries and go out for appertivo! |
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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Basic 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? | Go to any place with locals and try holding a conversation. LISTEN to others and learn from what you hear. |
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? | That it is okay to figure things out as you go. Not everything detail has to be planned out ahead of time. |
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. |
