Italy: La Dolce Vita Past Review
By Kelly D (Anthropology/Italian, Tulane University) for
Indiana University: Bologna Consortial Studies Program / BCSP
Being abroad definitely made me want to explore the entire world. I am so happy to have had this opportunity, but it made me realize that I am by no means done traveling and exploring the world and all the cultures and different people it has to offer.
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 program classes we had were fine. They were structured more like the classes we have in America, which was good. Meaning that we knew when the tests were, what the homework was, exactly what was expected from us. The university classes were extremely difficult to follow. Professors don't take an interest in the students like I'm used to, and I found it VERY hard to concentrate in class for more than 30 minutes. However, when it came time to take the finals, it seems that being American worked in my advantage. I feel as though my professors were way too easy on me with regards to the grades they gave me/the amount of work I put into the class. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program's greatest strength is definitely the fact that it is complete-immersion. I will be leaving Italy with a sense that I can really hold my own in this country. However, being in Italy, things are not always easy. This country doesn't make many things "user-friendly". After being here for some time, though, that it completely normal and nothing to worry about. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
In the first 10 days we were here, we were put up in a hotel and required to find our own housing with other students in the city. We made calls, set up appointments, and saw tons of houses during that time. It was INCREDIBLY stressful but definitely a good experience to have. Everyone eventually found housing that they were comfortable with. |
| * Food: |
You're in Italy, you'll be fine wherever you go, trust me. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We had some great field trips with the program (Mantova, Padova, Ravenna, Urbino). They were all well-organized and an excellent introduction to our time in Italy. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I think Bologna is a relatively safe city. Be safe when you're biking on the streets though, I've gotten into a little bike fender-bender before because everything is so close together. I didn't have to go to the doctor during my stay, but the program provides us with an American doctor, which is very reassuring. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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? | I probably spent about $25-$60 a week on personal expenses. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | In this program, you have to pay rent each month and buy all of your own groceries. I didn't find either to be terribly expensive. However, you do have to pay a whopping $250-ish for a permesso di soggiorno, which I was not aware of before arriving. Everyone in the program needs one to be able to live here. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Italian 325 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Our program was wonderful with foreign language acquisition. We had to find our own housing with other Italians and the directors of the program never spoke to us in English. From day 1 it was 100% Italian, and I am extremely grateful for it. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | If you want to know the language and culture and aren't afraid to jump right into it, this is probably a good choice for you. Bologna isn't touristy at all, and you really get to know Italians. |
