Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The best trip of my life, hands down. Past Review

By (Elementary Education, Stephen F. Austin State University) - abroad from 05/14/2012 to 07/25/2012 with

Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA): Traveling - Early Childhood Education, Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much while on this trip, about schools and how they teach in Italy and about the history of the cities. I gained a new respect for ELL students, as I just experienced what its like to be in their shoes. I also gained the knowledge about cultural influence, the arts and music put into schools, which is something we don't do enough of in our schools.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

We visited so many different schools and learned so much about the way things are done over there, and how they are different from our school system and it was great.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The hotels for the most part were wonderful, except for the hotel at Rome. I felt very unsafe and uncomfortable at that particular hotel.

* 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:

There were some concerns on metros and trains about our safety when a man came and started trying to get information on us. Again, the hotel in Rome was uncomfortable.

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 had to make smart decisions to help save the money and make sure it lasted but for the most part it was easy to live on a student budget over there.

* 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? 150 euro a week, about 200 dollars.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Be aware about the service charges that are put on your bill at restaurants.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* 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?
  • I liked getting to experience how the Italians live and their food and dress and culture.
  • I also liked visiting the schools and seeing how they differ from ours.
* What could be improved?
  • The schedule got changed and some events ran over, some ended really earlier so it made it confusing for us.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I would make sure to read a little more on dining etiquette and whether to tip or not tip, about the service charges and things like that we aren't taught in the course.