Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

What A Journey Past Review

By (Education, University of Dayton) - abroad from 08/17/2015 to 12/11/2015 with

Italy Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained such a perspective other cultures as well as my own. I realized how fortunate I am to have had this opportunity and I hope that many others can share in the Florence study abroad experience or their own journey similar to this. If you have the chance take it and learn something new such as a perspective, skill or something about yourself, you won't regret it! Explore, experience wanderlust and give yourself the opportunity to say "I have lived."

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.

I really enjoyed my classes. I had a wide variety from World Religions to Cooking class. There was a lot more writing than I had been used to at my home institutions, especially during exams but the small classroom feel was very welcoming and comfortable.

* 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:

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? anywhere from 120 euro to 300 euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Do not buy gelato every night, it really adds up. Also allot yourself a grocery budget and try and get in touch with anyone else you know abroad so when you visit you can stay for free.

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? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 200 in college, nothing in Italian
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Talk with the locals, even if they talk back to you in English really try and challenge yourself in Italian.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • We only had a few days of class providing lots of travel time
  • The program was helpful and very organized
  • I liked the school. living arrangements and location of the program
* What could be improved?
  • more integration with locals
  • more information about the Permit of Stay
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish knew more Italian before going on this trip so I could have interacted with the locals better.

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 Adventurer
The 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.