Italy was great, but had some serious issues that could be fixed easily Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

On-site administration of your program

Smilja, our professor, was hit or miss. She is great at teaching the things she is interested in, but unfortunately that seems to be only 2/3rds of the work. The rest she is clearly put off by teaching and it is obvious. She is very disorganized and got us lost regularly during outings, which could have easily been remedied by giving her TA a 20 euro sim card for cell phone data to get bus schedules, maps, etc. We were more often than not having to skip meals during outings because we didn't get to the bus stop on time and had to wait for the next bus, or we got lost trying to find the cemetery when on a charter bus, etc. Things that made the outings arduous when they did not have to be but for a little forethought or technology on her part. The feeling among the group was that she has been doing this for 20 years and enjoys the outings but no longer feels that she needs to prepare for them (but things change year to year and she does need to prepare!). Even the itinerary of the semester was static for 6 months leading up to the trip, but was changed after we got to Italy, causing many to have to change plans or miss school due to already booked trips over long weekends that were taken away. She also played strong favorites with our group, giving some of us lots of love and attention, and virtually ignoring others, or showing clear dislike. Many teachers do this, but it was amplified by the situation and felt inappropriate at times (living in close quarters and having there be little distinction between school and life).

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

We had to hike a mile up and down a significant hill to do laundry, there were no screens on our windows but significant mosquito problems (and not air conditioning or fans). We were provided a desk top fan after much effort (local stores did not sell them), which broke after a day or two - they have not been maintained and are many years old. As I mentioned earlier the people who run the facility seem to do so begrudgingly and made us feel like we could not go to them for anything without getting shamed or blamed, which is not a good feeling when living in a small town in a place that you don't speak the language.

The food provided by the facility was solid. Amazing at times, weak at others, but overall fine. There is good access to restaurants and markets close by, but the facility only provided one small refrigerator for 120 students, which was not adequate, and no microwave, toaster, oven, burner or tea kettle etc.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

They set up some very nice classes and time with local families and artisans that were really special. The local town really seems to embrace the program and made us feel welcome.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

We had doctor and pharmacy access close by, but for the most part we were on our own to figure out how to commuicate with them. If there was a serious issue the host facility would provide a translator.

We felt safe pretty much everywhere we went, but particularly so in the Castiglion Fiorentino

There is another Architecture study abroad program that travels more throughout europe and has a residency in paris at the end. We felt stuck in a small town (no car rental, etc) and were told the trip would be relaxing and we would get to know a town and people, but in hind site that did not happen as much as we thought and the seeing more, and being in more places sounds better. The other trip sounds like it was run much better as well based on student feedback.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

We had optional Italian classes but studio took precedence.

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• Dorm

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• Americans

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• Americans

• Travelling
• Food
• Living in another culture

• trip organization
• hosts more accommodating
• more ability to travel and experience the area

The Avid Adventurer