Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Challenging but exciting! August 31, 2022

By (Theatre, Berea College) - abroad from 05/26/2022 to 06/23/2022 with

KIIS: Italy - Experience Italy, Summer Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was worthwhile but I certainly would have done some things differently next time. I think I relied too much on expecting the professors/administrators to give us all the information we would need and they really left it up to us to research transportation/food in the cities we visited.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

My class with Kevin Gardner was both enriching and challenging. It was a lot of work, but it all helped me reflect and capture my experience.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Both of the members of the administration were incredibly unprofessional and unprepared when there was a Covid outbreak during our trip.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I never really stopped feeling like a tourist.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

We had to eat every meal except breakfast out and that cost racked up quickly. Also, there was no assistance with food when many of us were quarantined and the cost of delivery was substantial. I bought maybe 10 euros worth of souvenirs and I spent around 1000 on food in the 4 weeks.

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
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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? Highschool Language requirements
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? practice conversationally rather than trying to memorize vocab. Learn phrases and important words.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* 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?
  • Food
  • Art class
  • The museums
* What could be improved?
  • The administration
  • Context for different cities
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Get bus passes for Rome.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.