Bologna: 1000 years of a college town Past Review
By Miranda H (Political Economy, Tulane University) for
University of Bologna: Bologna - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I have always wanted to go abroad and this experience was not only EXACTLY what I wanted, but perfect for assimilation. I gained confidence and I feel like I am way more outgoing than I was before. I feel like I can move to any city in the world and be ok, since I came here barely speaking the language and not only found a place but chose roommates and I am not dead. Seriously. I want to come back to Italy, and live here again because I have fallen in love with the culture (and a boy), and I am not sure that America is going to cut it anymore. I am a better listener, speaker, and I can express my ideas a lot more clearly, than before I came here. The best thing about going abroad is that you learn about things you would never expect to learn about, and you become friends you would not normally choose. Being abroad forced me to open my mind, and make different choices and overall helped me discover what I like and don't like. I feel more flexible and can adapt to almost anything.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It is important to note that in this program you direct-enroll and you take classes with the italian students- aka the best way to do it. Everything is in Italian, and you make italian friends. Workload is a breeze if you choose the right classes, the grading system is different and on a scale from 0-30 and the exams are usually oral. Don't let this frighten you however, because professors are usually extremely helpful and easy on foreign students. Class is not required but it really does reinforce your ability to learn the language! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff are excellent and really want you to feel comfortable and love Italy. Dr. Ricci and Danielle are ready to talk to you about anything and everything, and help you get what you need, but they are definitely not going to do it all for you. They want you to try, make mistakes, and use use use italian. The size of the program was perfect first semester, and a little overcrowded second semester, but it's because it is becoming so popular! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Usually when you move into an apartment in Bologna, you have to buy sheets, towels, pillows etc but luckily there is an IKEA. I lived in the section of Bologna called Via delle Lame and although I never had any incidents, it can be a little eery. It is definitely more industrialized and it is not close enough to bars where there are always people walking around. Bologna is so easy to get around, you can walk from one side of the city to the other in 30 minutes, and I HIGHLY recommend living inside the walls. The nightlife is fantastic, and make sure that your roommates like to hang out as a group and go out. Basically you want them to adopt you. |
| * Food: |
I cant stress enough how great the food is. There are tons of excellent cheap places to eat, but finding food at night after going out is a little tricky. There is a place on Via Borgonuovo that sells pizza on the side at around 2, Bombocrep until 3, and another Osteria delle 7 Chiese that is open 24 hours but other than that you're out of luck. Some of the best cheap restaurants are Osteria dell'Orsa, Trattoria Rossa and Spaccanapoli. There is also a happy hour thing called aperitivo that comes with a buffet aka dinner. It's usually from 7-9 at a bunch of places around the city and you can usually get a drink and access to the buffet for 7-10€ The best places are 051, Cabala Cafe, Cafe Zamboni, SwineBar, and on and on and on |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The first semester we went to Ravenna and Urbino which were ok, and Verona, which was really cool. The second semester we went to Lago di Garda and then an overnight trip to Tuscany. They usually only do an overnight trip in the spring semester. I really wish we would have had more program events/trips scheduled so I could have gotten to know everybody more. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
We had a safety meeting at the beginning of the year...in italian, when none of us really understood italian. I think that could have definitely been in english, and would have, in fact, been more "safe." One time there was an incident where a girl was grabbed and the program did not handle it especially well, because "it does not usually happen in Bologna." She was fine but it still could have been handled better. Also there have been some issues with gypsies stealing wallets, but if you stay aware, you will be fine. Girls walking home from going out: expect to get hit on to the point where it's irritating, guys do not usually hold back on letting you know they're creeping on you. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 175$ but food and drinks add up. Train prices are going up. The euro is a cruel cruel mistress |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The permesso di soggiorno is way more expensive than you think. Water isn't free at restaurants and the tap water is kind of iffy. All the italians buy liters at the store. Trains get expensive. Clothing is ridiculously overpriced, but you really should buy more clothes here so you look more like a native and less obviously american. Makeup is expensive. covergirl mascara for 10€? no. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Italian 2500 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
1) talk with your italian roommates 2) read your book for class outloud 3) sign up for a tandem language exchange 4) listen to italian music 5) try not to think in english 6) get an italian boyfriend/girlfriend many people can say a couple phrases in english, but that's AWESOME because it really helps you learn. |
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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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 most of you have never heard of Bologna, but I promise you that is a good thing. There are not tons of tourist here like Florence and Rome, and you essentially have to speak italian to survive. In the more famous cities you can get by only speaking english, and what a waste of an opportunity. Unibo is the oldest university in Europe and the town really caters to students. It has fun night life, good places to study, and is an excellent place to leave from (airport/train station etc). The ideal location, I am not joking. The types of students that would benefit the most are those who are outgoing and flexible. You don't have to be particularly studious, but you really really really need to like your roommates and want to interact with them. Italians love to socialize, eat and just talk for hours, so if that is not your thing, don't waste your time in Italy. Also, you have to be outgoing to be able to direct-enroll in classes and choose your own apartment. It is critical. And if you're not outgoing, at least try! |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Storia Contemporanea di Africa |
| Course Department: | Letture e Filosofia |
| Instructor: | Irma Taddia |
| Instruction Language: | Italian |
| Comments: | She is batshit crazy. I haven't taken the exam yet but I am actually concerned she will go menopausal crazy. She brings in other people to present their thesis but then interrupts them half the time to make her presence and comments known. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | I am not sure yet! |
