Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Fun city, bad school Past Review

By (Oklahoma State University - Stillwater) - abroad from 09/17/2018 to 01/07/2019 with

University of Bologna: Bologna - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely worthwhile. I grew a lot as an individual and became much more independent.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

no resources, high rigor

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

terrible

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I paid too much to share a flat, with one bathroom, with six other students that was outside the center.

* Food:

pizza was incredible and affordable

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt somewhat integrated, but more so with the other international students.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did not require healthcare while abroad. No and no.

* Safety:

I felt very safe in Bologna. The only area that I was not comfortable in was the north part of the center.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I would have chosen another program because the classes were extremely difficult to navigate, the professors did not speak English very well, and the university did not provide any help or resources.

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)

Bologna is expensive.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? cook for yourself

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

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

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • the city
  • the other international students
  • the public transportation
* What could be improved?
  • everything school related
  • having a real orientation for exchange student
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how little help or contact I would have with the university, as well as my professors. The earliest a professor answered an email was two weeks later.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.