KEI Milano è molto buona Past Review
By Nicole W (English/Teaching, Eastern Kentucky University) - abroad from 02/01/2014 to 05/31/2014 with
KEI Abroad in Florence, Italy
I was independent before studying abroad, but I gained a larger sense of it during my semester in Italy. Life is about seizing opportunities and making the most of them, and I feel like I certainly did while in Milan. I would encourage everyone to study abroad.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The professors are all highly distinguished in their subject areas. They are current professionals, so they have insider knowledge and regularly share any advantageous tips with their students. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Ivana is the IED contact for international students. She is very friendly and eager to help in any way that she can. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Our apartments were impressive, but the apartment staff was not. However, KEI has changed housing providers and current/future students will not experience the same accommodation issues. |
| * Food: |
It's Italy; I don't think an explanation for my five-star food rating is necessary. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
With KEI, you are fully integrated into the culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
The apartments had kitchens, so we were able to purchase food at the supermarket and store it, saving money by eating at home. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $75 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try to travel on Saturdays. ItaliaRail will usually run a 2-for-1 discount. You can split tickets with a friend and pay half price. Also, check Ryan Air and Easy Jet regularly for good deals. |
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 |
Near the city center, most people know English. As you get farther away from the Duomo, less and less people will be able to understand English. |
| 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 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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? | Bring two suitcases and only fill one! It's better to have too much space than not enough space-- I definitely learned that the hard way... |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
