Best Summer Ever Past Review

By edward.murillo.37 (Foreign Languages and Literatures, University of Delaware) - abroad from 05/27/2013 to 08/02/2013 with

Sant'Anna Institute: Sorrento - Live, Learn and Immerse in Italy

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

I learned a lot about Italian language and culture. The opportunity to have to practice my Italian outside the classroom definitely helped improve my communication skills in the language. I also learned a lot about traveling, which is something that I have always wanted to do. This experience has definitely made me want to explore more of what the world has to offer.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	My host family was really nice, making me feel welcome and at home since the very first day. They took the time to take me out to a few places around the city and gave me a lot of advice for whenever I went out traveling on my own.
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes

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)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Because Sorrento is a touristic town, there are times where it can get pretty expensive. It is best to get food at cafes, delis, or smaller restaurants, rather than the larger ones where all the tourists go. The smaller, homier places usually have better food than the large commercial places and for a better price.

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
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
How many hours per day did you use the language?	10+

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans
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?	Courses/Teachers Host Family Sorrento
* What could be improved?	Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I'm originally from Southern California, so I'm generally used to warm weather. But this summer was definitely the worst heat I have ever felt. It was also pretty humid. Because Sorrento is along the shore, I expected a more breezy, dry heat like in Los Angeles. I was not really prepared for this kind of weather, and there was no real way to have been prepared for it since I had never experienced it before. And that's really what it's all about: experiences. It's an experience that I learned from, and one that I'll keep in mind for the next time I go back to Sorrento.

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.'

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