Italy is a means to understand your global position and how to attain it. Past Review
By A student (Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California - Irvine) - abroad from 07/01/2016 to 08/10/2016 with
UC San Diego Global Seminars: Parma - Social Cognition and Drugs in Italy
I gained a generous amount of maturity as well as open-mindedness from this study abroad experience!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It was a pretty tough class, but with the right amount of time management and traveling. It is definitely doable. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Really attentive and able to get you through the whole process! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I liked the arrangements as they provided an authentic form of Italian living. |
| * Food: |
The food was delicious and I am very grateful for the program to give us the opportunity to try new cuisine. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt like it was definitely a struggle to integrate as Italian culture is a bit difficult to mesh with American culture. However, it was helpful that our co-instructor helped teach us the ways of Italian culture and what we could do to more readily fit in as Americans. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
There was only one issue with the program's choice of stay. In Rome, it was very hot and that led to the Air Conditioners breaking down. As a result, we were left with no Air Conditioners for a whole day after having arrived. We were then transferred to another stay, but it was quite a journey to arrive at the new place. |
| * Safety: |
Safety was put at first priority and I am very grateful for that! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I am in love with the program and with Italy. However, this is only the beginning and this taste of wanderlust wants more new and exciting places to visit! |
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? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Pasta. Bread. Balsamic Vinegar. Paninis. Gelato. Fin. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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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| 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? |
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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? | I know that I should have brought my unlocked phone to Italy before trying to unlock it at Italy. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
