Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

We saw more sights than I knew Italy had! Past Review

By (Communication (Currently exploring TEFL or Global Studies Majors), University of Northern Iowa) - abroad from 07/21/2014 to 08/05/2014 with

University of Northern Iowa: Traveling - UNI Cross-Cultural Capstone in Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned that seeing sights can lose its luster after a week or two. It was worthwhile because we saw so many places. But interacting with locals would have given us more experience with the culture, instead of just seeing the sights that all tourists see! But we had the time of our lives at each place!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Loved the program! It was quite informative. The only thing I would change is the exposure and contact we had to locals from Italy. I feel that we had very little interaction with them, although with as many places that we saw, it was difficult to find time for it!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

The food was rarely bad. But I was surprised to find the lack of options in restaurants. It was either pizza or pasta. Which for the most part was good! But I hoped for more options.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I would have liked more interaction with the locals. I felt we could have learned a lot more about the culture by interacting with Italians more! In the markets were always foreign workers, so it was difficult to find people who were nice and friendly as the Italians were!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Food was much more expensive than expected.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Around $150.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Split pizzas/dishes! One regular sized pizza probably costs $10 USD. Drinks are $5 and water isn't free.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Vast part of country seen.
  • Freedom to venture as we wished.
  • Flexibility of instructor.
* What could be improved?
  • Amount of time interacting with locals.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The price of the food. How much time we would spend traveling in a bus.

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 Urbanite
A 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.