Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best four months of my life! Past Review

By (Undecided, SUNY - College at Geneseo) - abroad from 09/04/2012 to 12/17/2012 with

International Center for Intercultural Exchange: Siena Italian Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes it was very worth while and I learned many life skills that could not be taught in a classroom.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100 per week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Take smaller amounts of money from the atm at a time. I found that the more euro in my wallet I had the more i spent.

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? None
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? High school spanish
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? Participate in the conversation at dinner time.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* 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 friends I made.
  • The environment at school.
  • The teachers are very helpful.
* What could be improved?
  • Students should know that all classes are in italian
  • More information about travel dates should be supplied
  • Traveling options should be arranged for departure home (Siena to Rome)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that things were air dried because some of my clothes got ruined.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Italian
Course Department: Language
Instructor: Prof Alice Vannucci
Instruction Language: Italian
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Art History
Course Department: History
Instructor: Prof Anotnella Fillippone
Instruction Language: Italian
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Studio Art
Course Department: Art
Instructor: Prof AnnaMaria Gonzalez
Instruction Language: english
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Social linguistics

Course Department: Language
Instructor: Prof Fiora Biagi
Instruction Language: Italian
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: