Summer in Siena Past Review
By Elizabeth B (Spanish and Iberian Studies., University of Arkansas - Fayetteville) - abroad from 06/16/2012 to 07/15/2012 with
Italy Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
I really, really gained confidence in speaking Italian, which was my whole goal going into the program. So it was definitely worthwhile :)
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I loved my Italian class at Dante Alighieri - because it was such a small class and the class was so focused on actually conversing, I feel like I learned so much in a short amount of time. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my homestay family!!! I can't wait to go back to Siena and visit them :) |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
SPI does a great job of making you feel involved in the culture! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $75-$100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Splurge on one or two souvenirs to take home with you, but don't go crazy shopping. |
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? | 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? | Spanish I |
| 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? | Definitely take every chance you get to talk to the locals. It's the only way you'll learn how to actually carry on a conversation in the language, and eventually become fluent!! |
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? | You only get to be in Italy for a short time in your life, and you can be in the States anytime. So try not to speak any English! |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
