Two Incredible Weeks in Italy Past Review
By A student (Berea College) - abroad from 12/26/2016 to 01/06/2017 with
KIIS: Italy - Experience Italy, Winter Program
Going to Italy was an incredible experience. I saw things I had learned about in classes over the years in school and experienced places I had only dreamed of. I learned so much about the history of Italy and about the culture. This trip was beyond worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
There was a fair amount of work that helped me understand the history of Italy, but it was a manageable amount that enabled us to see many things and enjoy our time abroad. |
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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: |
The food in Italy was wonderful! The only downside was having to pay so much out of pocket for meals. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I wish there was more free time to be able to enjoy a more local feel in both Rome and Florence. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
N/A. Did not access or experience healthcare in Italy. |
| * Safety: |
We never had any instances of our safety being compromised, but there were times where we were slightly uncomfortable at night on the streets. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Italy was a truly incredible experience. My professors were wonderful, the people on the trip were great, and the experience was a dream. |
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) |
We ended up spending quite a bit of money out of pocket on food, mostly. Breakfast was provided at the hotel, which was wonderful, but we were only budgeted 100 euros for lunches for the time we were there, which seemed less than what we needed. Therefore, I ended up spending about 200 euros on dinners and extras for lunches during our ten days there. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100-150 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't buy sodas at restaurants - way overpriced. |
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 |
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| 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 in Italian |
| 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? | I encourage students to learn common phrases and greetings, especially restaurant phrases to communicate with the Italians. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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? | That learning even just the smallest amount of another language that the locals speak can go a long way.l |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
