Venice: A whole new beautiful world. Past Review
By Kim B (Criminal Justice, Psychology, Italian, Towson University) for
Towson University: Venice - History of Venice from the Maritime Republic to the Modern Day, Italy
I have gained a more open mind about the world. It made me realize that American culture is definitely different from each country's culture.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Compared to American Universities, there was a lot less emphasis on homework and exams, because they really encouraged the students to learn the material through participation and discussion. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The support services were very accessible. It was very easy to get things done because we had to have most of the research completed anyway before studying abroad. I felt very knowledgeable about Italy by the time of completion of the program. The program size was perfect of 12 people because it was not too big. All of my expectations were met. I only wish I was a little bit more forced to speak Italian. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The neighborhood we lived in was extremely safe. There was not much of a night life. Class was about 25 minutes away and we did not need to buy any items other than food. |
| * Food: |
Definitely ask ahead of time about the ingredients in the food if you have any allergies because many countries do not have allergy problems. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The Florence weekend trip was amazing. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Venice was very safe but remember to stick with the group an professor. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I probably spent about 200 dollars each week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Not really any. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Italian 202 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Try practicing a foreign language with a native because you are forced to use it and can learn from them. I did almost have to use Italian in everyday interactions. Most people did know English but not fluently. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Do not be afraid to jump into a completely new environment, it will be the best time of your life exploring it. A student who loves to travel and just learn would benefit most from this program. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
History of Venice in the Maritime Republic |
| Course Department: | Italian 496 |
| Instructor: | Margherita Pampinella-Cropper |
| Instruction Language: | Italian and English |
| Comments: | It was a little challenging but very stimulating. It made great use of the location and offer relevant field trips; therefore, it gave us the opportunity to go to the actual places themselves of where the history took place, like visiting the Palazzo Ducale. The teacher was extremely knowledgeable and well-prepared. I participated more often than I would have at my home institution because the material was so interesting and a large portion of our grade relied on participation. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No, not at all. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Italian Conversation and Writing |
| Course Department: | Italian 302 |
| Instructor: | Marina |
| Instruction Language: | Italian |
| Comments: | It was very challenging and helped to perfect conversation in Italian and writing in Italian. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No, not at all. |
