Chocolate, Gelato, and Music Past Review
By Emma Julia T (English, St. Mary's College of Maryland) - abroad from 05/20/2013 to 06/03/2013 with
St. Mary's College of Maryland: Alba - Signature Semester in Italy
I learned so much about music and performance. I met many professional musicians and learned from them. I loved performing in the churches because the sound quality is unparalleled to any spaces in the United States.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very helpful for such a small staff. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed in the hotel, Leon d'Oro. Overall, it was a nice hotel, but there were problems with ants in the rooms and bathrooms. Also, it was difficult to socialize at night in the hotel since it was so small. I spent a lot of time in the apartments which were MUCH nicer. I would have preferred to be in the apartments for my stay. |
| * Food: |
Every meal I ate in Alba was a little piece of heaven. The food was ALWAYS delicious. The cafeteria food for lunch was even very good. My vegetarian friend did not have any trouble communicating his dietary restrictions. The only trouble with eating was trying to eat with a large group. Many of the restaurants could not easily accommodate over 20 people and we felt like a burden sometimes. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
The city was very safe, but basic precautions should be taken, such as not walking alone at night. |
| 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) |
|
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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 |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew how much fun I was going to have, it would have saved me a lot of worrying. |
