Amazing. Better than I ever expected. Most beautiful city, best teachers. Past Review
By Sydney (Boston University) - abroad from 05/26/2018 to 07/13/2018 with
Umbra Institute: Perugia - Intensive Italian through Culture Summer Program
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I wanted to be fluent in Italian, and I got as close as possible in 6 weeks because I really pushed myself to practice.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
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 |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
So immersive; field trips galore, and tons of exposure to cultural experiences I never would have known to seek out without the help and support of the school. They planned everything and all we had to do was show up and make the effort to speak Italian. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved everything about this program. |
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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you set a budget it's very easy to stick to it. But don't limit yourself by not going to restaurants, I was able to go out for bfast, lunch and dinner and not spend very much money. (Breakfast at a cafe was 2 euros, lunch was 1-5 euros, and dinner could be anywhere from 10 to 20 if you go out. Or you can go to the grocery store which is SO cheap.) |
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? | None |
| 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? | none |
| 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? | It's about how much effort you put in. Everyone's trying to encourage you but that doesn't mean you'll learn it unless you FORCE YOURSELF to speak the language. and if you do so, others will follow. be the leader. |
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
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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 could have placed out of the intro level class sooner. |
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.' |
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