Amazing experience that changed my life Past Review
By Anna Franzen (Northwestern University) - abroad from 04/07/2013 to 04/21/2013 with
Laboling Language School in Sicily: Milazzo - Italian Language and Culture Courses
I met incredible, generous people that welcomed me immediately and have stayed friends with. In fact I met my future husband!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The teachers were well prepared and the resources were fun and challenging. |
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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? |
There's an apartment over the school where you can meet other students from all over the world. Or you can stay with a family which is fantastic and you're guaranteed to eat well! |
| * Food: |
There's nothing better than Sicilian food |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It's a small city and people are always out and about. Everyone was friendly and accommodating and rarely knew English so it was a great immersion experience. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The teachers and secretary were always available 24/7 |
| * Safety: |
The school is right on the water with a lovely boardwalk. People were out and about till late at night and I never felt unsafe going anywhere. |
| 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) |
Sicily is very affordable especially for eating out. |
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? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Low intermediate |
| 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? | Read books and watch programs or listen to the radio. Montalbano is a great TV show and you can find RAI on the computer |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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? | To take advantage of every opportunity to travel around the area. There was so much to see! |
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.' |
