Catania: City of a Thousand Experiences with CET Past Review
By Marino P (Italian Studies., Brandeis University) for
Italy Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
I was always planning on doing an Italian major, which is why I went on the program. I'm really glad I got to see new aspects of Italian culture, and make new friends abroad.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Decent workload, particularly for the Sicilian History class, overall there was enough time to get the work done, and time to explore the city as well. Grading system is not so different as much as the exam structure. I would have preferred more clearness on how much of a percentage each assignment and test was counting for. Aside from this, the teachers were excellent. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
RD was excellent and made sure that everyone was having a good time. Program size was excellent, small class sizes and individualized attention. My expectations were completely met. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Everything we needed was in the house. The only thing I needed to buy was a towel for the beach. The housemates were friendly and were really one of the main reasons why my Italian improved. |
| * Food: |
Food in Catania was beyond excellent. The street north of Piazza Teatro Massimo has the best restaurants. Everything is pretty inexpensive, but remember that they add a €2-3 service charge known as "coperto." |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Trip to Etnaland, Catania's waterpark was really fun. We went with the Language Partners and spent the whole day relaxing and having fun before finals. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Very safe city, there are always people around, so you never feel unsafe. I never had to take advantage of the healthcare system aside from quick trips to the pharmacy, but they are incredibly helpful in getting products for you. |
| 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
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced my Italian in class, but it was applied with the Italian Housemates, language partners, and everyday interactions in Catania. Very few people speak English, so its the perfect place to apply your Italian. You can really feel the language when you have to speak it every day, and I feel as though it help me because now I speak Italian much more naturally with more colloquial phrases, rather than speaking like a machine. |
| 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? | I was a rising sophomore going into the program, younger than everyone else in the program, so that was a little difficult at first, but it was all the more rewarding that I could go to the country, get around without someone holding my hand and really improve my Italian language skills. It helped me grow up a little, and so I would say that this is for more than just rising Juniors, if you're passionate about the language, look into it. |
