Traveling in Italy for school credit... best decision ever! Past Review
By crystal p (University of Northern Iowa) - abroad from 05/11/2012 to 05/29/2012 with
University of Northern Iowa: Traveling - UNI Cross-Cultural Capstone in Italy
This experience was worthwhile and I learned how to communicate with people using a different language. I learned how to navigate in another country. I learned that I loved Italy and that I would go back in a heartbeat!!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | N/A |
| 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. |
Experiencing a new culture in the host country was amazing. There isn't a better way to learn about another place until you are witnessing their culture and lifestyle. A great learning experience and I never thought I would take so much away in only a two and a half week course. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
We didn't have a host country program administrator from Italy but the Professor that was from UNI was great. She was a great guide and knew exactly where to take us and what we should experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We traveled from hostel to hostel and all were great experiencing. We all had our own space and workers were very helpful. |
| * Food: |
Food was amazing every where we went. It was great experiencing Italian food throughout the program. From homeowned resturants to Italian food chains and Supermarket experience was an event all in its own! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We were constantly involved in the local culture and not having a person with us who spoke fluent Italian made things a little difficult at times but it was a great part of the experience. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
We had a few people who didn't feel the greatest on some days but there were locations to get medicine near all of the time and it wasn't hard to communicate when something specific was needed. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt safe but there are always times when I was on high alert because we were in a large group of people but I never felt I was in an unsafe place. |
| 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 didn't really set a full budget but I think it would have been hard if I hadn't saved money up. I don't think $100 a week is reasonable when going abroad and having to pay for meals out everyday/night. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try to remember that its okay to bring a lunch on day trips. It was really helpful when I realized I didn't need to pay for lunch EVERYDAY we were there. I was able to save money and had extra money coming home. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? | NA |
