A chaotic and beautiful city: Naples, Italy Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

This is a highly academic program with a challenging workload. The grading system, based on individual progress, comprehension, and participation, is evaluated by the professor throughout the semester. An oral final exam solidifies or changes (in the case of exceptional performance) the grade that the professor is thinking of giving you. A term paper is assigned in some classes with an open prompt, while daily workbook assignments comprise the courseload of other classes. Class attendance is required without question, something different from the normal Italian system and many of my classes at my University. Teaching methods were similar to my home University as the result of educated and highly motivated professors, but I found that they do not "teach to a test" as much as the American system does.

On-site administration of your program

Weaknesses: The program size was extremely small and resulted in a micromanaged administration style that was too personally involved (when compared to American higher education). I learned that this also had to do with the Italian education system. The program lacked professionalism and leadership. Strengths: My expectations were met as a result of the city of Naples being so amazing and the caliber of the academics.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The housing was arranged for me. My apartment was beautiful, with 2 bedrooms, a living room, 2 balconies, a large kitchen/dining room, and a laundry balcony/courtyard. The view was incredible, overlooking the Piazza Plebicito, the sea, and Vesuvius in the distance. The neighborhood was nice, with everything I needed within walking distance-- a flower shop and bakery downstairs-- small side streets where fresh fruit, bread, meat, and other groceries each had their own store-- the large Via Toledo where you could do all the shopping you wanted-- and Via Chaia with all of the posh stores you wish you could afford (Dolce and Gabbana, Hermes, Salvatore Ferragamo). Classes were 20 minutes away but a bus ride cut the time in half, and nightlife was a funicolare-ride away. I didn't need to buy anything to get settled-in and my roommate, an Italian student, treated me like a dear friend, helped me transition, and introduced me to many other students. We still stay in touch and my experience wouldn't have been the same without her.

Meals were often an awesome social gathering with wine, too much delicious food to handle, and lots of yelling. For breakfast, I grabbed an espresso and breakfast pastry to-go at a coffee shop outside of the university. I had lunch with the other American students often, grabbing a 2 euro pizza, folding it in half and eating while walking, or we would make food at their apartment.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The field trips to Cumae, Pompeii, Rome, and Matera were incredible and very educational with informed guides. The first dinner arranged by the program was something I'll always remember. And the weekly social and art events that the program informed us of kept us up-to-date on fun things for young people.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I got sick once while I was abroad and my program was very nice and offered to take care of me, but healthcare wasn't needed. I rated Naples overall safety as 5 stars because I feel it receives an inaccurate reputation for being highly dangerous, which keeps students from studying abroad there. Every city is dangerous if you put yourself in dangerous situations. Naples felt less dangerous than New York and definitely more safe than Rome. This idea summarizes it: In Napoli, if someone is robbing you, you can give them your cash and tell them you want to keep your purse, and they will not have a problem with it. In other cities in Italy, you are much more likely to be seriously injured or the victim of a malicious act. That being said, during my stay in Naples, my apartment was broken into while I was at the University. Nothing was stolen and we were never able to discover why someone was interested and took the time to break in, but we moved apartments shortly after, just to be safe.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I went into this program knowing absolutely no Italian. Practice Italian everyday and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Begin by talking about yourself often and conjugating the verbs that you acquire in first person present tense. This helps you get used to conjugating. Learn verbs first! You need them. Then, branch out and make sure to use other conjugations in present tense (3rd person singular, 1st and 2nd person plural, etc.). Start to throw in some other tenses when you learn them, but if you can't remember the correct tense, say it in the easy present that you know. You can practice language with anyone, and need to a lot of the time, although most people at the school spoke English.

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• Apartment

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• Local Students

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• Americans

• Napoli and Neapolitans
• Living with an Italian student
• The sage and philosphical advice Camilla (resident coordinator) gave me

• Change the attendance policy
• Add a trip to Venice
• Encourage more student/professor communication that doesn't require the mediation of the resident director