Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Wonderful Experience! Past Review

By (Italian Fashion Industry, Colorado State University) - abroad from 06/01/2013 to 07/06/2013 with

Study Abroad at SRISA: Accredited Semester - Fine Arts, Liberal Arts and Design

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot in class, but also travelling, visiting museums, eating food, talking to locals, shopping etc. It was worth every penny and I would go again if I had the time.

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.

Wonderful teachers, I refused to miss a class because it was so engaging!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

A little rustic, no air conditioning, which was hard in the summer heat. Yet it was nice to know I could survive it and function very well.

* Food:

We went out for a few dinners with the program, all were AMAZING! Other than that I was in ITALY, who complains about the food in Italy?

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Instant connection with locals, and our guide in Florence was a great way to break the barrier since he spoke Italian fluently.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Minor cold, easy to go to the pharmacy and get medicine.

* Safety:

Don't go out alone at night, but other than that no issues. Watch your bags for pick-pocketers, pay attention, don't stand out.

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)

Italy was expensive, especially with food and my allergies and the exchange rate. But I got by, and even bought some really nice gifts for myself.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About $150- give or take, but my food allergies increase the cost.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook at the apartment as much as possible, visit the markets for GREAT deals on produce. Don't eat/buy meat unless you REALLY need to. I saved money being pescatarian.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Living in the country
  • classes
  • program directors
* What could be improved?
  • N/A
  • N/A
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Wish I had known what to expect from roommates, I was very different from the two that I lived with. They were friends from previous and we sometimes did not get on well, at all.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

History of Modern Italy
Course Department: History
Instructor: Lorenzo Publicci
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Wonderful class, I am a history buff so maybe I am bias, but I thoroughly enjoyed the course and information given to me in lectures. I feel like I UNDERSTAND Italy a little more now.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Italian Fashion Industry
Course Department: Fashion
Instructor: Enrica Guidato
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Enrica was so much fun, smart, informative, giving and kind to her students. She took us to museums, events, and encouraged us to explore on our own. The class was engaging, challenging and wonderful.
Credit Transfer Issues: