The Country/Culture is the class room Past Review

By (Decorative Painting, Berea College) - abroad from 12/26/2015 to 01/06/2016 with

KIIS: Italy - Experience Italy, Winter Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The experience of another culture, not being able to fully read and understand labels, menus, and most ongoing conversations around me was beautiful, uncomfortable and exhilarating.

Review Photos

KIIS: Italy - Experience Italy, Winter Program Photo KIIS: Italy - Experience Italy, Winter Program Photo KIIS: Italy - Experience Italy, Winter Program Photo KIIS: Italy - Experience Italy, Winter Program Photo KIIS: Italy - Experience Italy, Winter Program Photo

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Be conservative, only buy quality gifts from local crafts people. They are cheaper than trinkets and the gifts are more valuable to all concerned. Share food when possible.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* 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?
  • The local people
  • The scenery
  • Seeing famous works or art and architecture
* What could be improved?
  • More time to self explore
  • immersion asignments
  • Language learning
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? More of the language.

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Decorative Painting for the Designer

Course Department: THR
Instructor: Shan Ayers
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Yes, the class was challenging, utilized the location, and the teacher was very knowledgeable. I probably participated more deeply in this class than in any home class. We were assessed on participation and the quality/effort that we put in to ten personal art works and a powerpoint presentation.
Credit Transfer Issues: The credit has not been applied yet. I am told that this will happen around mid April.