Five years later, I still say it was the best 3 months of my life! Past Review
By Alison W (Kutztown University of Pennsylvania) - abroad from 08/17/2008 to 12/20/2008 with
Lorenzo de’ Medici – Tuscania
I learned about Italian culture and fell in love with it. I gained Italian language skills which I no longer use but certainly helped in learning other languages. I now teach English abroad and I often reflect on my time spent in Tuscania as the best language learning situation I have experienced.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Very enjoyable, but not quite academically rigorous. |
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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? |
We stayed in Via del Olivo and loved having such a large terrace with grapevines! |
| * Food: |
While the university didn't provide food, the food throughout Tuscania was amazing! I still miss it to this day! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There were so many young people who helped make our stay more enjoyable! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Tuscania is a very safe place to stay. Not once did I feel unsafe walking around town, regardless of the time of day (or night). |
| 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) |
Um, I took out a pretty big loan. Still paying it off, but it was worth every penny! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I have no clue. It was over 5 years ago. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Just save a lot! Or take out a big student loan. |
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 |
Tuscania is a rather small town, so many locals didn't speak English, making the language much more important to use. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | High School Spanish (3 years) |
| 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? | If you know where you're going to study, start learning the language ahead of time. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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? | the Italian 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 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.' |
