Be a Traveler, Not a Tourist Past Review
By Kelsie S (International Business, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, University of South Carolina - Columbia) - abroad from 05/26/2013 to 08/03/2013 with
Sant'Anna Institute: Sorrento - Live, Learn and Immerse in Italy
This was my fourth time studying abroad and each time I grew as a person and learned different things about myself. While at Sant'Anna I figured out what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I realized how important international education was to me and started to figure out how I can make it a career for myself in the future.
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 an Italian class and an archaeology class while at Sant'Anna and I had amazing teachers for both. Archaeology was the coolest class I've ever taken in my life. We visited the Archaeology Museum of Naples, ancient ruins of Pompeii, Herculaneum, Pozzuoli, Baia, and Cuma, and stood in the crater of an active volcano! It was the most hands-on learning experience I've ever had. I had been to some of those places before but having our teacher with us (who is also a professional tour guide) was like having our own small guided tour. It was AWESOME! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The all of the people at Sant'Anna were so helpful. Not only did they help with school matters but they helped us plan things on weekends, find us places to stay, take us to the pharmacy, the list goes on... |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Food in Italy...it doesn't get better than that. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I'm allergic to bees and was stung before school one day and I was immediately taken to the pharmacy by one of the staff and she was able to find me medicine. |
| * Safety: |
I've lived in multiple European cities and the safest I've felt was in Sorrento. |
| 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) |
Sorrento is a little expensive but there are ways to make it cheap; shop at the market, go to surrounding smaller towns for clothes, etc. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $250 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make a budget!! |
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 |
The staff was always trying to help us practice 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 300 level |
| 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? | Put yourself out there. Don't be nervous. They appreciate you trying. |
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?
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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? | It is very hot here in the summer and I didn't need to pack all the pants and sweaters that I did. :) |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
