Siena: Amazing but Challenging Past Review

By Tom S (International Relations and Affairs., SUNY - College at Geneseo) for

SUNY Geneseo: Siena - Medieval and Renaissance Italian City States

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I was able to get a first-hand look into another culture that is completely different than the one that I am used to, which is something that I would never have been able to experience by staying in the US and studying it. This experience has made me even more excited to travel more and experience other cultures world-wide.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	Huge workload, nice change of pace to be able to see the things that we were talking about
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Everything we needed was provided for us, our class took place in the lobby of the hotel, and was right next to the city center
* Food:	We had to buy our own food, but the food in town was amazing
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Seeing some of the events leading up to the Palio di Siena gave us a good look into some of the cultural aspects of the city we were staying in
* 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)