Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Once in a lifetime oppurtunity Past Review

By (Saint Louis University) - abroad from 01/13/2016 to 04/30/2016 with

Italy Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Abroad was incredible and definitely worth while. My thing that I am going to try and bring back most with me is the simplistic lifestyle I lived in Europe. Before I always kept myself way to busy and never got to just take a minute and relax and that is something that I learned while in Italy.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

The Bologna program did an excellent job with us and made us feel right at home since day 1. Living in a dorm gave us freedoms to make our own choices and living with international students in the dorm made the immersion experience into the Italian culture even better.

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? 100 euros
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? It is pretty easy to spend wisely and pretty cheap on food, I limited my other spendings for special occasions or gifts.

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Third level French
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? Nope

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Administration
  • Students
  • International Dorm
* What could be improved?
  • Communication class instructors
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Leave some weekends open for spontaneous traveling with friends last minute. I had planned all my trips out in advance(which was still nice and I loved everywhere I went), but the spontaneous trips I went on I had the most fun on.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.