Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

What a great way to spend your summer! August 14, 2025

By (Culinary Arts, City College of San Francisco) - abroad from 07/02/2025 to 07/28/2025 with

The Experiment: Italy: Culinary Training and Culture

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained cooking skills, language skills, it showed me how to be independent and away from home, and it was very worthwhile.

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.

Italian language courses and food courses were provided

* 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 loved this program and all the adventures it brought

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? $30
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Know how much you want to spend on souvenirs and who to get them for, be realistic and ESPECIALLY make sure you will have room in your luggage for the things you want

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? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None
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? Practice with your group, practice in your hotel room, talk to people and try it out in shops

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* 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?
  • we got to see the differences between culture in the north and south
  • food, eating it, learning about it, making it
  • the freedom to explore
* What could be improved?
  • more activities because sometimes it felt like there was too much free time especially in places we stayed longer
  • a little more coordination and organization from group leaders
  • somehow having more alone time without disturbing the rule of 3
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Immerse yourself in the trip, the less you talk to people from home the easier the homesickness will 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 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.