A crazy-wonderful artistic adventure! Past Review
By A student (Illustration, University of Hartford) - abroad from 08/28/2015 to 11/22/2015 with
University of Georgia: Studies Abroad Program in Cortona, Italy
This trip was so worthwhile. I made friends that I will never forget. I saw some of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen in my life. I learned how to embrace other cultures, try new things, see the world from other people's perspective. But I also learned how to slow down, how to enjoy the little things, to savor life.
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? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I sprained my ankle pretty badly toward the middle of my study abroad program. Program handled it fairly well. Was prepared to not have as high a level of healthcare as back home but did think I was going to injure myself then. Kind of a rude awakening once it happened but I adjusted. |
| * Safety: |
Cortona is a really safe town. Just watch out for holes you can't see and loose cobblestones, the WILL injure you if you aren't paying attention. |
| 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) |
I was able to live on a student's budget fairly easily. The only trouble I had was at the end of the trip when the program sprang a surprise of "donations" to the wait staff and the "angels" who cleaned our rooms. If they had warned us that the beginning of the trip I would have budgeted and set money aside for that instead of having to scrape for money at the very end of my trip. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About 50 dollars |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Share laundry detergent, you won't need a whole bottle for just you for your entire trip. Make communal meals on nights that you have to cook for yourself, it saves money! |
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? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | In Italian, 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? | I didn't take a language class on my trip so the best advice I can offer is to go into town and talk to the locals. It is scary at first, but they are much more receptive when you talk to them in Italian than in English. Plus Chinzia at Bar Signorelli (the Cafe at the end of Villa Natzionale) will tell you what words in English are in Italian. |
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? | Bring an external hard drive just in case your laptop dies mid trip (mine did and I didn't have one, lost everything!!!!) Sit toward the front of the bus if you get motion sickness! |
