An Italian Semester Past Review
By Clara O (University of Minnesota - Twin Cities) - abroad from 01/09/2012 to 06/30/2012 with
Indiana University: Bologna Consortial Studies Program / BCSP
It was very worthwhile! I learned that it is possible to adapt to more situations than you can imagine, and that your view/attutide is what makes the difference. It sounds cliche, but so true!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Università di Bologna, BCSP Institute |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The program was very helpful in choosing classes and working for them, but don't expect to do no work... |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Great administration! Navigating the Italian permits and visas is not easy, but thankfully the program took care of everything |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The programs puts you up in a hotel for two weeks, and in that time we each found an apartment. It can be a stressful experience, but totally worth it to get to know the city in a short amount of time, and just about everyone loved their apartment in the end. |
| * Food: |
Food in Italy is good. Food in Bologna is the the best! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I choose to live with 3 Italian girls, and became good friends with her, so I feel very integrated, Italian 24-7 |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no issues. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt safe in Bologna, but since you go out more instead of going to house parties so how you are getting home is always something to think about. |
| 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) |
I spent about $1000 a month, including rent, food, and travel. the program does not include housing or food so you can choose to live as frugally as you would like. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Keep track of what you are spending on...a coffee every couple of days really adds up! |
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 |
5. We had to speak Italian, if your goal is not to practice Italian this is not the program for you. |
| 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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 1004 (but I am a native Spanish speaker) |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Take as much Italian as possible before you get here, and try to get familiar with the city you will be in before you get here. |
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? | How to navigate the University of Bologna website(s) |
