Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

It was the best 2 months of my life so far. Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 05/24/2017 to 07/16/2017 with

Temple University International Programs: Siena - Siena Biomedical Research

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I became fluent in Italian and I learned much more about my family's homeland and religion. I also met Pope Francis.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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

I would definitely choose this program again. It combined my two passions.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50 Euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't go out for dinner every night. Live within your means and spend the money you have on day trips.

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? ITAL 105 (4th semester of Italian)
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? Do not hang out with other American students. Make the time to go out by yourself and hang out around foreign students.

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 immersive experience of being in an Italian hospital.
* What could be improved?
  • There should be an Italian language requirement.
  • Organization of lectures, rotations, etc. could have been more structured.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have known just how unstructured it was going to be.

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.'