My trip to Italy was lifechanging and I wouldn't of changed anything. Past Review
By Jacque P (Elementary Education, University of Northern Iowa) - abroad from 06/02/2013 to 06/27/2013 with
University of Northern Iowa: Capstone in Southern Italy
It was totally worthwhile. I gained so much insight on how much cultures have changes through the years. The beauty of all the buildings in Rome took my breath away. Learning all there is to know about those buildings and then seeing them still standing today is amazing. It is a whole other world.
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. |
I felt that I learned so much information about various places we went to and my professor answered any questions I asked him. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My program assitant was wonderful. She was very organized and helped us all speak in Italian if needed. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved all the places we stayed except for the last place. Our place in Salemi was pretty gross, but it made everything seem more real. |
| * Food: |
I tried so many different foods on this trip and loved it all. |
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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 didn't have any health care issues. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt safe during the day because we were with a big group. It was at nights a few times when I would get scared in Rome and Salemi. My advice would be to always have a buddy. |
| 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 spent more money than I was expecting on this trip. It really helped when we didn't have to pay for our meals towards the end of the trip. I would tell people to bring more than expected though. |
| 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? | I would reccomend to buy groceries and make lunches yourself so you don't have to pay to eat out. I did this a few times, but I had many opportunities to do it again and did not. |
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 |
I was very encouraged to use the language although I didn't know much so it was hard to learn it in just a few weeks. |
| 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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish III-High School |
| 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 would reccommend taking a short term Italian language course. I would of loved to be able to talk to the locals more and feel like I am in their culture for a month. |
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? | 0 |
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 know now that the more southern you go the less english they speak. Knowing a little more Italian would of benefited me majorly. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
