The Summer That Changed My Life: Two Months in Sicily with CET Past Review

By (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Brandeis University) for

Italy Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes. My Italian has greatly improved, as well as my understanding of Italian culture. I have become more interested in studying Italian and want to go back to Catania soon.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Manageable but challenging workload, fair grading, excellent teachers.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very helpful coordinators, anything that needed to get done was pretty promptly done. Very well organized trips and outings. My expectations were more than met.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing situation was great. Good to live with two Italians. Centrally located apartment. Almost all supplies were provided.

* Food:

Catania has great food that isn't that expensive. Eat in small places and lots of street food.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Great experience to Mount Etna and to Palermo. Really interesting outings in Catania, too.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Never had a problem with safety. If there was a problem, it would be fixed pretty quickly.

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

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
Language acquisition improvement?

I practiced with classmates, teachers, and local people. I spoke Italian almost everywhere. The locals' English was average.

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
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It's great if you want to learn Italian and spend time in an amazing new place. Someone who is really interested in Italian language and culture would love it.