Venice, Italy: My new home away from home! Past Review
By Lauren C (Accounting, Towson University) for
Towson University: Venice - History of Venice from the Maritime Republic to the Modern Day, Italy
YES, this experience was worth every dime and every minute put into getting there. I would without a doubt do it again if I weren't graduating! This experience changed the way I think of the world. Every part of it definitely has its pros and cons and the people are just people when you get down to it, even though they've always seemed so different before. I now plan to move to Italy for a year or two in order to learn the language. I learned so much Italian (I had one year of experience prior to the trip) while there and now am even more passionate about learning as much of it as possible! This trip also made me learn more about myself. I became more independent and was able to actually have a calm moment to myself, not like in America. There is nothing here that even comes close to Venice.
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. |
The language class was practically all oral, compared to American classes which do not demand one to speak during the class time. The Italian method worked much better and I learned more within these two weeks than I probably would have in a whole semester in America. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
She was amazing. I had taken a class with her before so it helped to be a little familiar with the professor, but she was so helpful and patient with everyone. She was so organized with our culture portion of the program, very knowledgeable about the area and culture, and cared very much for our well-being. The program size worked well; it was small enough to get to know everyone and large enough to not have any real conflicts within the group. My expectations of the program overall were met and exceeded! It was an amazing and unforgettable experience! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Everything was given to us, we only needed electrical appliance converters. It was amazing to be able to stay in a real Italian apartment while there, very few people can say they've ever been able to do that in Venice. |
| * Food: |
The food was amazing! I personally do not eat red meat but I didn't have too much trouble ever finding something to eat, in a restaurant or snack bar. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Visiting all of those churches in Venice was surprisingly one of my most fond memories. I did not come from a family that ever went to church and I never thought being in them in Venice would affect me so much spiritually and, at times, emotionally. It was definitely an experience. Just getting lost in Venice was an experience all in itself. That is how I found most of my favorite areas to eat, photograph, shop, or just plain relax. The museums were all amazing, particularly Piazza Ducale. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Venice was relatively safe throughout. I personally walked home at night a few times (about a 15 minute walk) on the island of Guidecca. However, I probably wouldn't have done that on the main island of Venice. I personally did not have any health issues there, but one girl did (a bad food-related allergic reaction) and the professor helped her get to the hospital asap and all was well. No vaccines were needed for this trip. |
| 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 spent about $800 over the entirety of the trip, and that was with me trying to be a "penny-pincher" as much as possible. So about $350 the first week and $450 the second week. Food was very expense there, since Venice lives off of tourism so they tend to jack up prices around touristy areas. I probably spent almost half of my money on food (including groceries) alone. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | BUDGET before you get there or when you figure out about how much food costs so that you make sure to have enough to spend on souvenirs and entertainment. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | ITAL 102 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Most locals spoke English, but we were encouraged to speak as much Italian as possible. We practiced within groups of friends (the students in our program) and with locals (professors, other students, store clerks, etc.). |
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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | There is probably no other place in the world quite like Venice. It's a good place for a independent person and/or a student that is passionate about learning the Italian language and about its culture. Immerse yourself in as much of the language and culture as possible while there! |
