Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Great Culture Shock Past Review

By (Studio Arts, Berea College) - abroad from 06/08/2013 to 07/09/2013 with

KIIS: Italy - Experience Italy, Summer Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I believe Italian culture, being old and set in their ways, was one of the hardest cultures for Americans to adjust to. The first 2 weeks were awful. However, I pushed through and adjusted to that strange culture, by myself. It taught me about myself and made me a stronger and better person. I learned to relax and adapt and it was 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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I absolutely loved the administrators and directors. They were very helpful and great.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The first hotel we stayed at in florence, Hotel Patizia, was awful. It was hot and dirty and loud and awful. It was not a good learning, working, studying, or living environment.

* Food:

We had one dinner together, and it was fantastic.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

n/a

* Safety:

At first I was frightened, but Florence seemed pretty safe over-all. The second host city, Ostia, was not-so safe and lots of drug and gang activity.

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)

Florence was so expensive for food!

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 300
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? delis!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Free Weekends
  • Italy as a country
  • Directors
* What could be improved?
  • Hotel Patrizia!
  • A mini fridge to save on food cost!
  • Hotel Patrizia!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That it was going to be tough as crap, but it was going to be the best experiene of my life.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'