Best four months of my life Past Review
By Joseph R (Business Administration and Management, Quinnipiac University) - abroad from 01/04/2015 to 04/24/2015 with
Umbra Institute: Perugia - Direct Enrollment in Semester, Summer or Academic Year Programs
I learned to embrace new challenges and try to go into a new culture with an open mind. Everything about this trip was worthwhile.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration took care of every student and made sure we had a great overall experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My apartment was right in the heart of Perugia and only a three minute walk to our university and the city square. |
| * Food: |
Living in Italy it is hard not have good food... there was no "school cafeteria" but we were able to cook in our kitchen and eat at restaurants and pizzerias throughout Perugia. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt at home in Perugia, the community was very embracing and if you made an effort to learn the language they would treat you like one of their own. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Umbra Institute helped me when I acquired a virus abroad. They got me to see a doctor the next day and I had antibiotics that day. |
| * Safety: |
I never felt worried or unsafe at my time in Perugia. Perugia is like any city, if you act in a smart and safe manner then you will stay safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I don't regret a single part of my abroad experience. Every part of it was special. |
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) |
I think when you go abroad you have to realize you are going to spend more than if you were at school. There is travel and you want to eat well, so you make an exception for a semester. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Yeah, open your wallet. It sounds silly but it is the only chance you will have to live abroad most likely and don't be afraid to spend if it means you get to travel |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I did not take an Italian language course prior to departure but I did take French through high school. |
| 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? | Learn the basics, and always put in an effort. The locals will appreciate an effort. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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 wish I knew how special traveling can be. I believe that I would have picked a college farther away for a bigger travel experience. |
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.' |
