An Opportunity of a Lifetime! Past Review
By Noelle H (Business, Alfred State College - SUNY College of Technology) - abroad from 01/19/2015 to 05/08/2015 with
Sant'Anna Institute: Sorrento - Live, Learn and Immerse in Italy
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Don't be afraid to venture out on your own. Be smart, and take care to be cautious, but travelling on your own provides the opportunity to see more that you want to see, but it also allows you to learn more about yourself.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
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? |
|
| * 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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | close to $100.00 each week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | It really helped to plan out my budget and then keep track of my expenses through an excel spreadsheet. Each week I knew how much I had spent and whether or not I was on track. |
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? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | no experience with my study abroad country's language, but five 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? | Practice every day. It doesn't have to be for very long, but review vocabulary and pronunciation each day. Also, try to branch out from your school group. It can be easy to stay with your friends and only communicate in English, but if you are really interested in improving your Italian then you need to step outside of your comfort zone and talk to the locals. You will see an exponential growth in your language skills. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Choose to live with a host family rather than American students. You will broaden your horizon and gain the opportunity to improve your language skills. |
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.' |
Featured Program Providers
