Ortigia- Small Island, Big Experience Past Review
By Christina F (Hospitality Management, Kansas State University) for
Italy Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
I am thankful from where I come from and I would love another opportunity to travel and learn about the world.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The grading only consisted of tests and quizzes and the final was a huge portion of our final grade. The work load wasn't too much, but we did have to study and keep up in order to do well on the tests. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
API did an amazing job showing us around Syracuse and beyond. Our adviser, Joanna, was amazing. She was like a mom in Italy. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We needed to buy basic cleaning supplies and food. Our apartment was fully furnished. Our appliances broke constantly and that was the hardest part of living there. |
| * Food: |
Buio was a great place to get appetizers and drinks. Everyone was very welcoming there. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Hiking Cava Grande was my favorite. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The Island of Ortigia was small and the locals were honest with us and let us know if we were in danger with a specific crowd. |
| 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 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Everyday interactions. Almost all the shop owners did not speak English. |
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 did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | A student who was closed minded to open their minds to the world. |
