Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Personal growth through independent travel and cultural immersion. Past Review

By (Berea College) - abroad from 05/23/2018 to 06/21/2018 with

KIIS: Italy - Experience Italy, Summer Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about international travel and travel within Italy independently. I also learned about another culture from hands on immersion, which I have never experienced before. The experience was definitely worthwhile and I would hands down recommend it o perspective students.

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.

The academic experience provided constant stimulation as I was writing journal entries and completing assignments throughout the entirety of the program.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The program directors were very familiar with each place we visited and provided students with opportunities to be immersed in the culture.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Each of the hotels we stayed in were very nice and the directors were accommodating to roommate preferences the entire trip.

* Food:

I spent a month in Italy so its safe to say I did not have a bad meal.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Some areas provided more immersion with local culture, such as Siena and Trastevere, while others were very touristy.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe while walking the Italian streets and the directors did a good job of providing a safe atmosphere.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

The KIIS Italy trip was a very good experience for someone who had never been to Europe before or someone who hadn't spent serious time out of the country. The directors were very experienced and accommodating in providing the right amount of guidance while also letting students learn from experience. I saw and experienced so much in my month in Italy. I was able to grow from the independent travel experience and from absorbing so much of a new culture.

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)

I spent quite a bit of money each week, much more than I was expecting to. At the beginning of the trip I did not spend money with a budget in mind and after blowing through some money I had to become more conscious of the money I was spending.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 200 euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't let the excitement of being in a new country and having the ability to eat all kinds of foreign food get the better of you, start with a budget and stick with it as best you can.

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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Individual travel
  • personal growth
  • italian food and cultrue
* What could be improved?
  • art history course
  • finding housing to accommodate the whole group/lessen the size of the group
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I would have treated myself more to souvenirs, there are some things that I wish I had purchased looking back. I would participate in every optional excursion given. While I attended most of them I would have taken advantage of them all and every free weekend travel opportunity.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.