Sorrento is now a part of me! Past Review
By cristiana.velasquez.50 (philadelphia university) - abroad from 05/27/2012 to 06/29/2012 with
Sant'Anna Institute: Sorrento - Live, Learn and Immerse in Italy
I was able to reconfirm my love of traveling and learned how much I can identify with Italian culture.
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. |
I took a single independent study course and was challenged. I definitely came out of the program a stronger student. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The on-site administration were very helpful, kind, and friendly. I was told where I could find an internet cafe, a nail salon, and even a place to dance! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host mother was very sweet and motherly. She kept our surroundings clean and comfortable. The location was ideal; central yet close to school and the beach. The location could not have been better. |
| * Food: |
There was absolutely no shortage of delicious food. All price ranges are represented to suit all tastes. I enjoyed dining at expensive restaurants as much as stopping at a bar for a panino on my way to class. Practically every waiter/waitress speaks English and is willing to help you if your Italian is not too great. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I had so much fun imagining that I was a local! I found it easy to feel at home and as if I had been there my whole life. I'd developed friendly relationships with the people I would pass everyday when walking through the narrow streets. I had become so familiar with my surroundings and the people that I felt very integrated. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I could stroll around at night with my room mate until anytime. The last night before our program ended, we stayed out at the marina all night to watch the sunrise. The highlights of our midnight fiasco were meeting the very happy party of an English wedding, and watching a chubby, older man go diving in a skin tight wet suit. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Go to the public beaches, do not pay for the private ones. There is no need to take a taxi anywhere when there is the bus and train system that's cheaper! There are also free internet cafes, do not use the ones that charge. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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?
Select all that apply |
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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? | I wish I'd known that the time would fly by. I would have spent more time traveling outside of Sorrento on the weekends. |
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.' |
