A Semester in Italian Paradise Past Review
By A student (EXS, Brigham Young University) - abroad from 08/29/2012 to 11/17/2012 with
Italy Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
The cultural experience was amazing and I would go to Italy again in a heartbeat.
Personal Information
| 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. |
Very intense studies. Good teachers but too much work. The cultural aspect was the rewarding part of the study abroad. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I loved the director of the school there that we attended. Very friendly and nice |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my host family! They treated us like family and taught me many things about the culture and language. I also loved my roommate and we had very comfortable living arrangements. |
| * Food: |
AMAZING food!! Everything I ate was fresh and prepared excellently. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I rode the bus every day back and forth from school so I interacted with the public on a daily basis. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't really have an experience with the local health care other than getting some extra contacts. That was easy and efficient. |
| * Safety: |
My advice is never to trust the old Italian men: I had an experience with an old man that made me feel very violated. Don't let your guard down, especially girls!! |
| 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) |
It was very expensive in Italy. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Go to the grocery store for lunch instead of eating out at restaurants every meal. |
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 |
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| 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? | Beginner |
| 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? | Just force yourself to use it and don't feel stupid. We all make mistakes, and as long as you try with the locals they will be very nice. |
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? | 0 |
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? | Pack light - you want to buy lots of things while you are there. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
