Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Perfect Abroad Experience Past Review

By (University of Pennsylvania) - abroad from 09/01/2011 to 08/13/2012 with

Indiana University: Bologna Consortial Studies Program / BCSP

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Incredibly worthwhile, best year of my life, learned how to communicate fluently in Italian, how to cook, improved my personal and professional skills.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Italian classes are organized very differently from American courses: there will generally be much more reading, very little written work and one exam at the end.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Always friendly and helpful, hands-on if you need it but gives you freedom if you want it.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

You have to find your own apartment with Italian students --> the absolute best part of the program! Living with native speakers will increase your language skills and help you adjust to the new environment.

* Food:

Bologna is the gastronomic capital of Italy, so there is an embarrassment of riches for food. Incredible stuff.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Bologna people are very friendly and appreciative of foreigners making an effort to speak the language. I felt VERY integrated by the end of the program.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

If you want to live very cheaply it's definitely possible, but not at first. It takes time to find out the cheapest places to go and best ways to manage the budget.

* 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? 40-50euro per week

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? Fluent
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? Live with native students!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Living with Italian students
  • Learning to cook
  • Balance between feeling at home in Bologna and having time to travel
* What could be improved?
  • I didn't have this problem, but for those that are more introverted the program might help by organizing tandem conversations and more informal ways to meet Italian students. However, they do make an effort and most people will want to make friends on their own regardless.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? People are very interested in learning in-depth aspects about American culture, so it would have been wise to know more about my own country's political, educational systems.