Trip of a Lifetime Past Review
By A student (Ohio University) - abroad from 05/26/2019 to 06/29/2019 with
Sant'Anna Institute: Sorrento - Live, Learn and Immerse in Italy
It was worthwhile. I've always been independent, but this trip taught me to be independent in new ways. I learned how other people lived their daily lives, and I have a new appreciation for that.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I took FVA 276 - History of Italian Cinema. This course was definitely one of the more rigorous courses I've taken in my whole collegiate career. 4 page papers due after each movie can become a lot, but it was enjoyable. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Olga, Serena, and Maria Anna were all very helpful. There were times when I felt like more could've been done, but for the most part they were wonderful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was thrilled to have been placed in one of the Sant'Anna dorms. I feel like it was safer, and I was able to meet more people who have became my friends. However, there are always people who don't understand shared living spaces, and that happened with my neighbors. I had neighbors who would come in making noise at 4 or 5 in the morning and they were just constantly loud and disruptive. Quiet hours aren't hard to follow, and I think for the next summer session they need to be enforced more. |
| * Food: |
The food was one fo the best parts of this whole trip. Italy is known for its food, and people really weren't kidding. It was incredible! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I made friends with a few people at a local café, but I didn't reach out like I probably should've. Everyone in Sorrento though is super helpful and willing to talk to you for hours if you let them, and I appreciated that! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I feel safer in Sorrento than I do at home. This place is pretty tight knit and everyone seems to know everyone. I never feared of someone following me home or like someone was going to do something to me. Although I did have a mishap with my bank account, everyone was helpful and understanding, and I felt safe always. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Being in Sorrento was unlike anything I've ever done. Being in Southern Italy is different than being in any other part of Italy I think. Traveling can become hard, but it is doable, and I enjoyed everything about living in Sorrento. |
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) |
2.5-3 is about where I am. Laundry is ridiculously expensive here, and the whole no split the check thing is crazy. The money spent on food was worth it, but I should've not spent so much my first week. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100-$120 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Work your butt off before you come over and save as much as you can. International withdrawal fees are wild and will catch you off guard. Also just bring American money and exchange it. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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 |
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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
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 0 |
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? | How much money I would actually need for food |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
