Cortona: Trip of a Lifetime 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
I learned a lot about myself and triggered wanderlust. I met so many new friends alongside my established friend group and I'm very proud of the work I did during the program and I have so many photos of beautiful Italy!!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This program helped give e the confidence to travel even when I am just learning Italian for the first time, and Cortona is a beautiful city with so much to offer and the hill keeps you in shape! This program specifically gives you a support group with all the students and you make lasting friendships with others. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
UGA is great although I would have liked to have more information at the beginning of details like churches in Italy require shoulder and knees covered, and in August, I would have packed longer dresses or longer shorts. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing is great, "the angels" really take care of you and they are so sweet! the view of the valley is spectacular, although an oven might be nice..4 hot plates for 40 students is rough |
| * Food: |
Cortona restaurants participate with UGA's voucher system so yu can immerse yourself in Tuscan cuisine. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Very much so, traveling in the group and on our own in places. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no issues but friends sprained ankles, and they were handled accordingly. |
| * Safety: |
Very safe and secure |
| 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) |
We were to tip the waitstaff at Tonino's and the angels and it would have been nice to know up front, as well as only 4 dinners were provided, not 7 like the majority of us thought. Some places required bus tickets and whatnot which is expected. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I budgeted 150 - 300 euros a week, I definitely spent that much some weeks |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Share meals and pot luck any, that helps a lot. |
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 |
Always which helps! |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 0 in 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? | Watching Italian films, keeping the TV on in a hotel for a bit, even the infomercials help. Also listening to music in the language is a great way to subconsciously study! |
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? | Bring longer shorts to cover knees and have a travel bag that fits a water bottle! |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
