Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Time of my life! Past Review

By (Marketing., Bentley University) - abroad from 08/22/2012 to 12/14/2012 with

Italy Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Language, learned about the Italian culture, got to travel and learned so much from just that - it was amazing! Totally worthwhile! I had the time of my life it was unreal!

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:

I was robbed right outside of where I lived but it was late at night. Besides that I felt very safe.

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? 2000
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Keep track of your spending.

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? 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? High School (but it was a college level class through SUN Albany)
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? Use it! Use it with your host family, store owners, and so on!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Language
  • Travel
  • People I met
* What could be improved?
  • Insurance ( I was robbed and I made a report that probably went in a drawer somewhere and was never looked at again. I had to pay a lot of money because a man stole my clutch including everything that was in my bags and all new locks for my house. I really thought the school would have maybe covered some of the costs especially because it has to do with the student's safety and well-being.)
  • Make students have to use the language even more!
  • Place students home-stays closer together... at least 15 minutes away from almost all of the Bentley students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You don't have to go through Bus2Alps for everything.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'