Loved my time in Italy, but extremely disappointed with SAI June 29, 2022

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

On-site administration of your program

My host institute, Sant'anna, was helpful and had many resources available to us. However, I was extremely disappointed with SAI's lack of involvement in my time in Italy. I did not hear from anyone directly working for SAI in my entire stay. Many of the activities that we were told were offered by SAI and included in our tuition, did not actually happen. Sant'anna itself offered some activities, but most came with a small additional cost and were offered to all students, not just SAI. However, my friends in the other main program partnered with Sant'anna had lots of actives exclusive just for CIS students. Truthfully, I felt like I was given a key to my apartment in Italy and left to figure out everything else on my own. SAI did not have any smaller welcoming activities to get to know the other people in the program making it difficult to meet people outside of my class or apartment. Overall, there was absolutely no "on-site admin" of SAI and they did not offer many of the things I was promised.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Our apartment was large and beautiful but we had a million problems with it. I am not quite sure how it was ever a working livable apartment for 6 people. First of all, I requested to have either a double or single room; however, I ended up being in a triple room, despite being told the week before I was in an apartment with 3 double rooms and I would only share a room with one other person. Secondly, I was promised a working laundry machine, which was not the case at all. I have had to pay extra money to go to the laundromat about once a week because we have had so many issues with ours. Additionally, our wifi went out for 2 days, which is not ideal when you are studying and have assignments online. Our power went out countless times, we went several days with no hot water, and worst of all we had to go 10 days without a fridge because it suddenly stopped working. Also, SAI told us we would have weekly sheet and towel changes, but in my 5 weeks here that only happened twice.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I would choose the other main program that partners with Sant'anna Institute, CIS.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

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• Apartment

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• Americans

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• Americans

• travelling

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