There is no better study abroad program than Cortona Past Review
By Perrine L (Illustration., University of Hartford) - abroad from 08/30/2011 to 11/20/2011 with
University of Georgia: Studies Abroad Program in Cortona, Italy
Nothing has affected my life as strongly as this program has. The people I met there are now life long friends. The professors were more than teachers. they were intellectual peers. This trip also helped me to learn to travel on my own.
Review Photos
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. |
All the classes were taken very seriously. The study abroad program mixes students from a wide range of art experience. Some people were taking their first painting class there or were surprised how many different classes were available. But the classes were equally challenging for people with maybe more experience. As with anything, its what you put into it. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I never felt in the dark about the program. Although at times I did feel confused, but I think that is true with any major change like a study abroad. Also while at the program the faculty kept us informed almost daily about the weekend trips and forms we needed to complete. There was always someone to talk to. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was pretty blown away with the housing. There are beautiful terraces around the back of the building. And the view from the dorms was ... beyond words. You know every picture you've ever seen of Tuscany? Well thats what you woke up to every morning. Cortona is on a hill that faces a valley, a lake, and a range of mountains. When the fog rolls in it feels like Cortona is sitting on clouds. My only complaints were that the internet was kinda crappy and the kitchen gets to be a mess cause so many people are trying to share one small space. And the "angels" were like our mothers away from home. They make your beds and give you breakfast. They don't speak any english, but that doesn't stop them loving you. Or you loving them. |
| * Food: |
The bread is weird. But absolutely everything else is perfect. When you are there you have to go to Mario's and get his Fumo. It is the staple dish in Cortona. The best pasta dish you will ever have. ever. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The first week we were in town our group was invited to a ceremony in one of the oldest churches in Cortona. They even stopped the ceremony to give us a personal welcome. Just because this is an American program doesn't mean that you won't get the Italian experience. You get to know the locals very fast. They welcome you as one of them and not as tourists. Although each group of students is only there for three months the locals take you in as family. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
There was a serious injury during my trip that landed my friend in the hospital for three weeks. The faculty was really good about keeping us informed and helping her out. Beyond that, I don't know. |
| * Safety: |
This is the kind of town where you can walk around on your own. Even late at night. I wouldn't wander outside the walls, though, late at night. |
| 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) |
This is tricky. Restaurants in Cortona range in price a lot. You can easily eat for less than 50 euros in Cortona. However, it was the weekend trips where we spent our money. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | lunches weren't included. But dinner was provided 5 days a week. weekends were on your own. breakfast was there for you everyday |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | do not try to eat out everyday. it gets expensive. when you are in other towns, try to find restaurants away from the main piazza as those are the tourist traps. dont buy imitation leather goods. you are in italy. save your pennies for the good stuff (in florence). |
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 |
It wasn't exactly encouraged, but you felt really comfortable using the italian words for things. When we were at the bar we would chat up the locals who were always willing to teach us italian. we tried to use italian in town and the locals let us. |
| 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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 100 level french classes. no italian |
| 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? | learn all the words for food. know how to order a cappucino and a glass of wine.make friends with the locals |
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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| 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 wish i had known some more basic italian |
