Living abroad in Italy was the turning point of my life! Past Review
By James C (Journalism, Rowan University) for
Italy Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
More than worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This program was phenomenal and it's a shame it's not more popular. The students I traveled with I still keep in touch with and, those who I live near (Greater Phila/NYC area) I meet up with two or three times per year, still. The professors were nothing short of brilliant and the workload gave us a perfect balance of learning and providing free-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? |
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| * Food: |
Food? I studied in Italy. Hello! It was the best food in the entire world. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Each weekend we went to overnight trips to various cities in northern/central Italy. Too numerous to mention and too grand to describe. One exciting event was the Festival of St. John at the end of our trip, fireworks shot off a bridge and over the River Po. I wrote about it on my blog at http://torino2009.onsugar.com |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
It's a normal city like Philadelphia, New York or Detroit. I felt about as safe as I do in those cities. Beautiful cityscapes, but be careful at night in the more residential ghetto areas. |
| 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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Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Any student will benefit, hands down. If you go to Turin, you will have difficulty at first with the language. Don't worry, you'll pick it up quickly. Bring a Frommer's guide. Eat everything, drink everything, go everywhere, and have the time of your life. Live without limits. |
