Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Program Development Intern for my Host School Past Review

By (Alfred State College - SUNY College of Technology) - abroad from 01/21/2018 to 05/12/2018 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I’m currently studying across the globe from where I have lived my entire life. I said goodbye to Niagara Falls New York to complete my final semester of a Human Services Management bachelor’s degree at Sant’Anna Institute located on the Western Coast of Italy. 5 days a week, I spend my days interning with the administrative team of this school to create programs that ensure students’ success. Sant’Anna is offering me a unique experience of program development to address needs brought about by the newly installed residence halls on campus. With the brand new on-campus living option, Sant’Anna is met with a number of opportunities for development that I get to explore and take on. Since I’m only here for a semester, the goal is to create programs that can be carried on by interns doing a 2018 Fall semester in Sorrento, Italy. It’s a unique challenge creating sustainable programs for relatively new organization like Sant’Anna Institute. This internship is a great exercise in pulling together learnings from dozens of classes, extracurriculars, and work experiences that have spanned my entire educational career. If I can offer any words of advice for other interns, it’s to trust your abilities, and take on as many opportunities as you can. Every experience is a learning opportunity if you take the time to learn from them.

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

Great professional experience, very self directed.

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? 40
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make your own food, learn to cook on a budget

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? AP French in Highschool
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 as often as possible, immerse yourself

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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?
  • Self-Direction
  • Motivated Coworkers
  • Pleasant Work Enviroemt
* What could be improved?
  • Communication
  • Organization
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The only thing I wish I knew would be how self-directed the study would be. Luckily for me I work well with little guidelines, but the independence may be challenging for others.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.