Italia, My home away from home! Past Review
By A student (Humanities, Brigham Young University) - abroad from 08/27/2012 to 11/20/2012 with
Italy Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
Living in Italy for a semester has impacted my life in so many ways. I have a greater understanding and love for the world and its people. I have come to know and love Italian culture and the Italian people have taught me to be more loving and appreciate life more. This semester will impact me for the rest of my life and continue to help me become better. Not only was it so much fun and such an adventure, but an invaluable learning and growing experience as well.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It took some adjusting getting used to the Italian style of education but every one at the Dante Alighieri Institute were very helpful. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Dante Alighieri Institute took such fabulous care of us! We always knew if we had any problems or questions we could take them to Luca and he would do all he could to help. The program was very well organized and efficient. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living with a host family was probably the most nerve-wracking part of the program but also the most incredible experience! My host family was so loving and helpful, they truly treated us as their own children and became our little italian grandparents. Living with a family increased my language skills, cooking skills, and understanding of the Italian culture overall. It was the highlight of the entire program. |
| * Food: |
Authentic Italian Cuisine...need I say more? My host mother was an excellent cook and gave us the real "home-cooking" side of things. The 9 week cooking course provided us with a basic knowledge of traditional Italian food and was such a fun experience! We learned so much about the food and enjoyed too much of it believe me. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Living with the host family immersed me more fully into the culture and I loved experiencing it so personally. Having an intermediate understanding of the language also helped and provided me with opportunities to talk to people on the streets and in the shops. Once they saw you could speak it relatively, they were very helpful and wanted to speak with you. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any medical issues but I always knew where I needed to go and who I needed to talk to if anything came up. In Italy, the Pharmacy's always have a doctor on staff to diagnose the seriousness of a problem and direct you to further care if needed. |
| * Safety: |
Siena felt like the safest city I have ever been to. We still took safety precautions such as not being out too late at night, always have a walking buddy etc. but I never felt threatened or unsafe. The other cities we visited we had to be more careful, especially with the pick-pocketers. But if you are always being aware of the situation around you and protecting your belongings it wasn't ever a problem! |
| 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 like to shop so I spent more money than some but was still able to maintain a low budget. It is very easy to it cheaply day to day, especially if you buy groceries for a few days lunches. The larger cities it was more diffi |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | In Siena, we could live on about 20 euros a week and usually less. The larger cities plan on spending a little bit more. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | It is very easy to it cheaply day to day, especially if you buy groceries for a few days lunches. When you're traveling, pack a sack lunch if you can. Stay away from the real tourist-y streets and restaurants are usually cheaper and taste better for that matter too. |
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 |
Because we lived with host families that usually didn't speak any English, we were required to learn to communicate in Italian pretty quickly! The families were very patient and helpful though. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | Italian 102 |
| 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? | Speak, Speak, Speak! Conversational Italian is so different from textbook Italian and its the conversational stuff you need to communicate! Be confident and speak as often as you can. Also keep your vocabulary up, that's the first thing that goes if you don't practice. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | I wish I had studied my Italian more thoroughly before I went and was better prepared language-wise. Also, don't be too nervous about living with a family because it becomes one of the greatest parts of the program. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
