Unforgettably Immersive. Past Review

By A student (Visual Arts and Theatre Design Technology, SUNY Purchase) - abroad from 06/27/2012 to 08/01/2012 with

SUNY Purchase: Pisciotta - Municipal Schools of Pisciotta

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

Don't be afraid to talk to strangers, trust people, lifelong friendships, unreal memories, and a cultural immersion like no other. Yes it was totally worth while; it feels like I've only chipped the surface of what I can gain from the town and the culture.

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.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?
* 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)
* 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?	160 euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Cook your own food.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language? 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language	There was no choice no one spoke English in the town.
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?	Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	Spanish 5 (5 years of Spanish)
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants?	Don't be afraid to talk to the locals; they want to learn your language as much as you want to learn theirs.

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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	The Food; tasting it, making it, watching it be prepared. Making friends; feeling like a family. The encouragingand inspiring environment
* What could be improved?	Loneger trip; can visit more of Italy
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	That I didn't need so many clothes.

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 Outright Urbanite A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	italian theatre in the 20th Century
Course Department:	Theater and Performance
Instructor:	Lenora Champagne
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Yes we used the town Piazza for performance scheduling and production and talked and worked with the locals to perform the scenes from various plays in the correct Italian grammar and pronounciation.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No I did not considering that my college is the host.