More than I could have imagined! Past Review

By (Fordham University) - abroad from 09/03/2018 to 12/03/2018 with

IES Abroad: Siena - IES Abroad Center

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much about Italian culture and the food and wine industry, all things that I have found to be helpful in my time so far back in the states.

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.

All of my courses were very informational and not something I could have gotten at my home university.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The on-site staff in Siena were all so caring and it was obvious that they would do anything for all of us to have a perfect time abroad in Siena.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Living in apartments I felt like I was able to feel like I was actually living in Italy. Because Siena is a smaller city as well, I felt like I was able to practice my Italian language skills more than I would have been able to in a larger city in Italy.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

There was never a time when I felt unsafe in Siena.

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)

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? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The professors
  • The students I traveled with
  • Siena
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew more about how living abroad would be different from my experiences at school and at home.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'