Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Perugia, Italy's Best Unknown Study Abroad Program Past Review

By (Business, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo) for

Umbra Institute: Perugia - Direct Enrollment in Semester, Summer or Academic Year Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Absolutely. I've been planning ever since to return either to Italy or Brussels for a few months. These were both places I was exposed to while studying abroad.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I enjoyed my Italian class. However, my elective classes were hit and miss. While I'm sure the professors were very knowledgeable, they didn't create an engaging class environment. Most of the professors were neither American nor Italian, but from various other countries, which had its pros and cons. Overall, I didn't feel challenged by my classes. I enjoyed art history because I had prior exposure to it and loved my Italian class.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The program was small, but organized. I felt that the student body wasn't well balanced because out of a class of about 90, about 15-20 were from the same university.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was actually impressed by the apartment I lived in. I could have had better roommates, but that's nothing the program can control. My apartment had heaters, a washing machine, and a background with a grape vine. Plus, my room had a small balcony onto the street!

* Food:

It's Italy, the food was awesome! Though, being in the center of Italy, don't expect to find much seafood here. The gelateria Via Gabbia is the best!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The school offered a couple of organized trips. I went on one and really enjoyed having all the travel plans figured out for me, since all of my other trips were self-organized.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

One student needed to see the doctor and got help immediately through the school. Though Perugia is now known for the infamous Meredith Kercher murder (I was there at the time), the school reacted well and assured our safety.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Occassionally, we had mixers with Italian students to practice speaking. I mostly used Italian in my daily living situations (i.e, shopping, traveling, eating out, etc.)

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Be flexible and ready for anything! Make the most of your time in another country. It's easy to maintain your American lifestyle when going to an American school. However, make the effort to acclimate to new place: speak the language, eat the food, meet the people.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

International Marketing
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: english
Comments: Very disorganized. The professor had some interesting perspectives but could not offer a cohesive lesson plan.
Credit Transfer Issues: no
Course Name/Rating:

Intensive Intermediate Italian
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Italian
Comments: Loved it! The professor was fun, patient, and very helpful.
Credit Transfer Issues: no