Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Studying in Italy was an Unforgettable Experience! Past Review

By (Stephen F. Austin State University) - abroad from 05/11/2012 to 05/31/2012 with

Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA): Rome, Florence and Venice - Psychology in Italy, Maymester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
This trip was definitely worthwhile and has been such an educational, amazing, fun experience. I was able to learn new things about so many different subjects, see amazing sites, and make a few really great friendships. I feel like traveling and living in another country has given me a new global perspective and it has definitely given me a passion for world travel.

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.

I felt very fortunate to be able to learn about many diverse subjects on this trip.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I don't think this area applies to our professor led trip?

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I loved staying in apartments rather than hotels, it made it feel like we actually lived in the cities we were visiting.

* 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

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)

I was able to budget food pretty well when grocery shopping for meals, I planned for quite a bit of spending money for souvenirs and I still felt like I was able to live on a student's budget.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $75-$100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Plan on cooking your dinners and eating cheaply for lunch and breakfast and you will have much more money to spend on extra things to do and buy. If you see something you want to buy, wait a while and you can probably find it cheaper somewhere else!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No
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

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Our professor's experience that he was able to share with us.
  • The opportunity to explore on our own.
  • Living in apartments in the lively parts of town.
* What could be improved?
  • Possibly add a couple more free days.
  • Stricter guidelines on suitcase sizes, the smaller the better!
  • MORE international cell phones the students can use!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known precautions to take for bed bugs, but we only had a scare.