The artist's equivalent to going to the moon March 28, 2022
By A student (ART, University of Hartford) - abroad from 08/26/2021 to 11/20/2021 with
University of Georgia: Studies Abroad Program in Cortona, Italy
I could not possible fit all of the things I gained and learned while abroad. It was undoubtedly the most worthwhile thing I've ever done.
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. |
Amazing Professors, amazing learning environment. Mark Taggart did an outstanding job filling in to teach 2 of my courses. His and Jeremiah Patterson's courses were very transformative for me. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Kris Schramer is the greatest program director I've ever interacted with |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The school grounds were gorgeous. Who doesn't love fig and olive trees in their backyard? |
| * Food: |
Undoubtedly the best part of the trip |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Cortona is a fantastic community. I was shocked with how quickly I adapted to their culture, and how graciously they accepted me into it. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any experience on the matter |
| * Safety: |
Never once did I feel unsafe for the entirety of my time in Cortona |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
UGA Cortona's structure was built around giving you the absolute best, most dynamic experience possible. The program direction absolutely blew me away. |
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) |
Studying abroad was so much cheaper than attending the University of Hartford that my expenses were pretty much covered by all of the money I saved. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Roughly $70-$90 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Get groceries from the local butcher shops and delis rather than eating out every meal. The food is just as good and you save money over time. |
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 |
They even provided a direct translator to teach us some casual Italian once a week |
| 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? | 4 years of Spanish |
| 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? | Just go out and talk to people. Most of the people in Cortona speak English pretty well and would be more than happy to teach you useful phrases and whatnot |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | How crazy the art we saw was actually going to be. There were a few moments on the first few tours of places that I didn't absorb as much as I could have. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
