There are no words for my study abroad experience in Sicily. Past Review
By Jill T (Biology Ed, University of Northern Iowa) for
University of Northern Iowa: Capstone in Southern Italy
I've decided I want to travel everywhere now. I've understood how a completely different culture lives and works together as a community. To be able to see thousands of years old buildings and think about what we have in America was priceless. It was definitely a culture shock realizing, oh, nobody speaks English. That was fun. I felt like I got to see a culture from their side almost, and it was like I was one of them.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This program was amazing. Hands down the best two weeks of my life. It can not even compare to any of my classes I have taken at UNI (and I love those as well!). Being able to experience a different culture firsthand underneath a great professor is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I will never forget what I've learned through this experience. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everything was a strength except for very hard to communicate or find a phone if you buy a calling card, LOTS of exercise (which I enjoyed, but may not be something others would like) and it would definitely help if you knew some Italian before you go! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Places we stayed were incredible. Friendly people all around. |
| * Food: |
Hello - Italian! Lots of carbs. Everywhere Dr. Heinzel took us was great. Make sure you know what to order before you leave! Many times I would stay on the safe side and order a simple ham and cheese sandwich because I got alot of things that I had no clue what they were and it didn't turn out so well. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Way too many to type... |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The basics - don't speak to stranger danger, the mafia, etc. etc. As for insurance, the study abroad office was very adament about getting copies of our health insurance policies and whatnot. |
| 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) |
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Language
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | DON'T LET THE PRICE AFFECT YOUR DECISION! This program would benefit almost any student. The obvious would be history or science majors. The professor is a geoarchaeology guy so he is full of science facts, but Italy is also full of history for that history buff. The trip was not so much based on either of these things but what you thought about everything you saw and how you took it in. |
