Semester on the Italian Coast was incredible Past Review
By Catherine Mills (Colorado Christian University) - abroad from 08/27/2018 to 12/14/2018 with
Sant'Anna Institute: Sorrento - Live, Learn and Immerse in Italy
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot from my experience abroad! Ever since I was young, I've always wanted to study abroad. Travelling throughout Italy I’ve met so many unique people, including a musician travelling throughout Europe promoting his music, a writer from Naples, and a couple from Australia travelling the world, who I met when we both missed our trains (whoops). I’ve also had the opportunity to volunteer in Naples with Refugees from Pakistan and Nigeria with my International Politics class here. Sant'Anna is a great environment for someone who would like a small, community environment. I became very independent this semester, as well as more confident within myself.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Studying at Sant'Anna is such a different study abroad experience than studying in a large city like Rome, or Florence. It is more of a community that we build over the course of the semester, rather than just attending a University. |
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) |
I was able to budget very well, as long as I didn't eat out a lot. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $65 euro per week on food. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I sacrificed eating out and went to the grocery store. I still treated myself once in a while with a nice meal, but on weekend trips, etc. I made sure to only cook my own meals, and eat off of sandwiches that I've made. And I was able to find very cheap Air BNB's, as well as find cheap hotels on booking.com. Studying abroad doesn't have to be expensive if you just budget your money, and say no to going out every night, etc. |
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 |
I think it was hard to learn Italian, especially since almost all of Sorrento speaks English. I wish we would have spoken Italian in Italian class more, and focused more on how to have a conversation vs. the grammar. |
| 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? | I had never taken a language before. |
| 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? | I wish I would have done this, but try and speak Italian every single day for more than an hour. It's hard because you are surrounded by all American's who speak English, and it's natural to want to speak English instead of Italian. For me, I really struggled with learning Italian, as it doesn't come naturally to me, and many of the locals in Sorrento didn't have the patience to help me learn Italian, which was a big bummer! But, I learned the most Italian when I went to Naples, on my weekend trips to the Dolomites, Cinque Terre vs. it doesn't reflect my grade in my Italian class. I learned a lot more than my grade, and I think we need to focus on how to encourage and use the language a lot even in the Institute. |
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? | I wish I would have known to study some Italian before coming here, as well as been challenged to use the language more in classes. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
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