An immersive program that develops the whole person. Past Review
By A student (Saint Louis University) - abroad from 01/13/2016 to 04/30/2016 with
Italy Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
It was absolutely worthwhile. The new perspectives that I gained have challenged the way I view the world and I believe I am still changing from the experience as I have more time to reflect on what it has meant to me.
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. |
I felt like all of the classes were both appropriately challenging and very interesting, especially for a study abroad program. |
|
* 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 quality of the education I received while I was in this program is unparalleled to anything I have ever experienced and it is hard for me to imagine having the same experience in other programs. |
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) |
I was able to live very easily because I was prepared to live very simply. I hardly spent my money on anything other than food and travel. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent about $20 a week on food and if I traveled on the weekend that would add an additional couple hundred dollars to my cost for the week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make sure to budget. You can study abroad on almost any budget but if you don't make a plan for yourself you'll be tempted to spend all of your money too early. |
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? | I studied latin in High School |
| 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? | I encourage students to get apps like duolingo and other language learning tools to give you a small platform to build on if you have never studied the language before. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I was very stressed about my financial situation while I was there and I wish I would have known how well it would all work out. |
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.' |
