Rollercoaster August 24, 2022
By A student (Art History, Berea College) - abroad from 05/26/2022 to 06/23/2022 with
KIIS: Italy - Experience Italy, Summer Program
I believe it was worthwhile because I feel it is important to have certain experiences at certain stages in life and after being a college student, I feel experiencing another country to be a good step
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
They did not adequately prepare us for the pricing of food we would have to buy for ourselves, which made the trip very difficult |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The program directors occasionally aided in trips to the hospital (which unfortunately were multiple, but never severe), which is the bare minimum for escorting non-citizens who do not speak the language. |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Italy was important to me, personally, for my growth and studies and despite any bumps in the road along the way, Italy would always be where I choose, |
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) |
They definitely underestimated the cost of meals for each student during the week. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200 |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
We often had someone who spoke the language during group outings, but otherwise we were on our own to pick it up and use it for ease of living. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Finding a phrasebook for your language is a quick way to pick up on patterns in the language and feel like you can speak quickly. Numbers and money vocabulary are also important. |
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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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| 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? |
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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 little bit more Italian. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
