A wonderful and interesting Italian cultural and educational experience! Past Review
By Jo Anne F (Stephen F. Austin State University) - abroad from 05/14/2012 to 05/25/2012 with
Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA): Traveling - Early Childhood Education, Italy
I learned that not everyone is aware of other's cultures, however, when visiting another country, you must be respectful of their values and culture. It was very worthwhile!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Although it was not focused towards my major, I still learned many valuable aspects about education majors which is a part of everyone's learning experience while in school. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our travel guide was amazing. She was very helpful in any emergency or incident. She was also always on time. However, some of our bus drivers were late, which caused our schedule to be quite hectic at times. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
All hotels were convenient except for the one in Rome (Hotel Milo). It was difficult to get luggage up six flights of stairs. And the location of the hotel also seemed unsafe. |
| * Food: |
Food was great. It depended on what exactly you like to eat and what you ordered. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very comfortable with the local culture. Although I dsid not understand their language at times, I was willing to learn. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Whenever someone was sick, our travel guide made it a priority to get to a local pharmacy or doctor and/or provide medications. |
| * Safety: |
I believe we were safe the majority of the time except in the location where the hotel was in Rome. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
1. I was able to spend wisely on food. However, personal expenses, such as clothes and souvenirs depended on how much I felt like spending. |
| * 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? | $200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make sure to save weeks and possibly months before you leave. Also, order your foreign currency at least two weeks before you go abroad in case there are any delays. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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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? | To spend wisely and learn more Italian! |
