Learning how to love every day from my Napolitan host dad. Past Review
By A student (English & Anthropology, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities) - abroad from 01/13/2014 to 05/10/2014 with
SAI Study Abroad: Sorrento - Sant'Anna Institute (SA)
I learned more about how important it is to experience a culture and language to really know it. It is always worthwhile to travel and try new things!
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. |
Most of the syllabi are not completely accurate so you don't get exactly what you sign up for. However, most of the teachers can be very accomodating with schedules and interests. Be warned, it is not as easy as some other study abroad programs! You might not have homework daily, but you will have work! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Serena is amazing at answering allyour questions in a timely manner. You will never have to worry about having your questions or problems unheeded! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived with an incredible host family and they really made the program what it was. I recommend always living with a host family while abroad. |
| * Food: |
Come on, it's Italy! However, eating is much better in a host family (and more economical!) |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Sorrento is very small so there isn't a lot of nightlife or college age kids, however people are friendly to tourists as long as you don't act belligerant. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I bought international health insurance through the U of M. I did not need to get any vaccines nor did I have any healthcare issues while here. There are many pharmacies in Sorrento to go to for minor coldsand a hospital within walking distance should an emergency occur. |
| * Safety: |
Sorrento is pratically crime-free. A very clean and safe city. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
I lived with a host family so most food was paid for. Besides that I bought food only at grocery stores and was careful for my budget. Living abroad doesn't have to cost a fortune if you are smart with your money. I will say however travel in Italy is expensive, even slow trains! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Without travel, $40. My travel costs throughout the whole program totaled about $2000 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Grocery shop! Also, grocery shop before 12 or after 430 because grocery stores close for siesta and then you either can't buy anything or you have to buy it at a salumeria (qwik-e-mart type) and it is expensive. Live with a host family. Plan ahead when traveling so you get discounts on train and flight tickets. Don't go out drinking every night because tabs add up quick. |
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 |
I was in a host family so I obviously used Italian a lot. Other students in apartments almost never did and only the Italian courses were in Italian. I would have liked to try taking more classes in Italian. |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had taken 2 semesters of Italian before(and 5 years of Spanish) |
| 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? | Live with a host family! and make Italian friends! Don't spend all your time with other study abroad students. |
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? | What we would actually learn in classes ! |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Creative Writing |
| Course Department: | Literature |
| Instructor: | Marco Spiezia |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Most of the class was reading slides about certain authors. While that can be useful for understanding their writings, it can be bland and unhelpful. Tests have many trick questions. The creative writing assignment was a good project however and I got a lot from it. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
