Would not recommend January 21, 2025
By Emma G (Sociology, American International College) - abroad from 01/05/2025 to 01/24/2025 with
Sant'Anna Institute: Sorrento - Live, Learn and Immerse in Italy
I learned nothing and gained nothing
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Too much information in so little time |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Not very helpful, told me that I have to find my own transportation to the airport and no ride to the bus station |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Had to purchase my own toilet paper and food was not included in the meal plan I paid for. Cleaning services was done a week late and gave no notice on when they were coming |
| * Food: |
Food was not included even though I paid for a meal plan. Many restaurants were closed which made it extremely difficult to find food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Enjoyed the field trips and had chances to explore on my own, All though many shops and restaurants were closed |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Very helpful when I injured my back |
| * Safety: |
The alley at night is not well enough lit and I did not feel safe walking alone at night. Was followed when with another person at night |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
An awful experience, had to buy my own food, toilet paper, and find my own way to the airport. Found it hard to make friends due to people who go to the same school coming here together. Didn’t have time to do my laundry because the cleaning staff use the same washers and dryers for all the students sheets. Was excluded from multiple activities due to not being part of a program called CIS. They did not tell us that most of the restaurants and stores would be closed due to the season |
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) |
Everything was affordable but did not plan to have to buy my own food |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy food to make lunch on campus, don’t eat out every night |
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 |
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| 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? | None |
| 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? | Do not use duolingo, instead take an Italian class prior |
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?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Wish I had the chance to contact the other students before coming |
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. |
