Living abroad in Italy was the turning point of my life! Past Review

By (Journalism, Rowan University) for

Italy Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
More than worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* 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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Food? I studied in Italy. Hello! It was the best food in the entire world.

* 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

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* 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

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)

Language

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

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.