Siena Past Review
By Lauren Pahmeier (University of Minnesota - Twin Cities) - abroad from 06/18/2018 to 08/02/2018 with
IES Abroad: Siena - IES Abroad Center
I learned so much about Italian food and the culture surrounding food in Italy. In addition, I developed my Italian language skills.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Overall, the experience was very educational, but still allowed us enough time to relax and enjoy it all. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff was very professional and helpful throughout the program! |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My apartment was very modern and close to the piazza - great! |
| * Food: |
Obviously, Italian food is amazing. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Since I was only there for six weeks, it was hard to get integrated, but I felt happy with how much I got for how short of a time I stayed. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Siena is very safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The content of the program was educational but lighthearted - perfect for a summer of travel at the same time. |
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? | $100? |
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? | Intermediate |
| 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? | 1002 |
| 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? | Don't be afraid to speak it as often as you can! That's the only way to really get it under your belt. |
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 |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That I would have lots more free time than I was expecting! |
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! |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
History of Italian Food |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | The History of Italian Food class was not very difficult, but was full of information. We had tons of tours of gelato laboratories, vineyards, cheese factories, bakeries and recipes taught to us first hand. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
