My Italian Experience: My Diversity Abroad Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Everything about the program flows well together. Classes were Monday - Thursday, and Friday - Sunday was always different. There were mandatory site trips, free weekends, and optional out of town trips. The grading system was the same (the +/- system). The teaching method was very different, because we were able to go to the site that we studied. This rarity is what made the study abroad so special. My "textbook" was not pages bound together. It was churches that were hundreds of years old, villas that belonged to important families, and important public architecture. Even our school, Palazzo Taverna, has a rich history behind it. Being able to experience the architecture and then learn from our experience with it made learning not only fun, but also tangible. The workload was very manageable. We had a "curfew" for studio hours, which is very different from my home university, because studio never closes (hence architecture majors being known as the students who never sleep). This curfew forced me to manage my time on studio work very well.

On-site administration of your program

Our program helped us handle all legal matters that were required by the Italian state. They helped with mailing and apartment issues if there was a large one. There were approximately 60 students overall, and it was a great professor: student ratio (considering our level of independence). Teachers were always willing to help, even if it had nothing to do with their class.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Proximity to all necessary facilities was pleasant. Located very close to major attractions. My only complaint is that me & my roommates' apartment was uncomfortably small in comparison to all of the other students in our program.

I love to cook, so having fresh markets and several markets nearby (less than a 5 minute walk away) was great.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Weekends on which there were no assigned trips, I went many places with my roommates and other students in the program. This allowed us time to just explore the city, and see things as everyday Italians would, not just as tourists.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

There were no safety-related incidents for me. There were not prevalent health issues. I never had to use my insurance.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I practiced the language in my Italian Composition class, with everyday people on the streets, in stores and restaurants, and while watching television. Most people did NOT speak English.

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• Apartment

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• Americans

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• Americans

• Meeting students from different places (Rome, Philadelphia, Alabama)
• Teaching style: learning by experiencing monuments.
• Location of the school and apartments

• Pre-departure information accuracy