Traveling: a Priceless Experience Past Review

By Kristi B (Fine Arts, Northwest Arkansas Community College) - abroad from 05/26/2016 to 07/05/2916 with

NWACC: Study Abroad in Siena

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learn life lessons when it came to traveling. I really had to think on my feet and know exactly where to go and how to get there because it's not like you can call a friend to pick you up. I gained skills that I can use for the rest of my life.

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.	The Italian classes were difficult but challenging. The teachers did set up study day so that you could ask her questions and go over the lesson again. Definitely learn a little Italian (hello, good bye, how are you) before you go, it helps out a lot.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Elizabetta, one of the language teachers, was awesome, very friendly, and alway pushed us to do our best. I hope that she continues to work with the program.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I stayed at Hotel Monderno and they were fabulous. The hospitality was top notch. When I left, they were like a saecond family.
* Food:	The Italian food the beat part. Took some getting use to at first, but the pasta and the wild boar were great! A lot of their food and restraunts were affordable, but if you want the real Italian experience, ask the locals for recommendations. My favorite was Via Pasta.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Siena and the rest of Tuscany are very different from the States. By the time I left, I was making the same hand gestures as them.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	Siena was very clean and the water was safe to drink. The pharmacies are a little on the expensive side so I made sure that I brought my own allergy meds and ibprophan.
* Safety:	Siena is one of the safest cities I've ever been in. I didn't have to worry about gypsies getting in my bag or scared that someone would take oiff with my cellphone.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes Italy was a gorgeous and cultural country. The experience you will get from Italy is something that you can find in the States. It's something you can't pass up.

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)	If you really modernized what you ate and didn't eat out all the time, it was pretty affordable. Some of the touristy place were a little excepensive, but the local eateries where pretty cheap. Foods like pizza and pasta were probably the cheapest (5€).
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	50-150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Save your FASFA checks, always look for scholarships and sponsorships, and check out fundraising websites like GoFundMe. GoFundMe really came in handy because my family and friends could still send me money while I was overseas.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language? 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language	The language was extremely helpful while I was over there, but once you get State side, you have to keep practicing on your own time or study with a friend.
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?	Pre AP Spanish 2
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?	Flashcards are great. I like to rewrite my notes so I know that I am remembering the info.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Hotel
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Local Students
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	International Students
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?	Food Scenery Towns/Cities
* What could be improved?	Keep all the students together, not so spread out
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	The lack of WiFi connection. The WiFi was there, but you'd have to ask the people working there for it and normally you had to be a customer. It made it hard to communicate if you didn't have an Italian/International phone.

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 Blazer Craving 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.'