Loved the people, not so much the program Past Review

By (French and Global Challenges in Alternative Energy, University of Tulsa) - abroad from 05/29/2015 to 06/10/2015 with

University of Tulsa: Calabria - Global Challenges in Alternative Energy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I really loved the students who I went with. They were fantastic and some of them I would not have met otherwise. Also, the faculty who came from TU were excellent and that was probably my only chance to be able to take a class from them.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I really wish we could have experienced all types of renewable energy firsthand. We only got to see solar and wind and we spent a lot of time in the classroom, which are all things that we could have done in Oklahoma for a lot less money. However, the faculty who taught this course were wonderful!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

We were told that we would be able to live together and when we got there we were living all in separate suits with Italian students who did not speak English. It would have been nice to have been aware of that beforehand.

* Food:

it was good, but still cafeteria food. The description we were provided was a little misleading.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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? No

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)

There wasn't really anything to do in Calabria or any easily accesible places to go out to eat and the bus system was not clearly explained to us, so I really did not spend much money while I was there.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Faculty
  • TU Students
  • Fields trips on the weekends
* What could be improved?
  • Location of Program
  • Housing
  • More Renewable Energy firsthand experience
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I realize that we were the first ones to go on the program, but I wish we would have known what Calabria was really like and what the city we were going to be staying in was actually like. We knew that the university was kind of far away from everything, but we did not know what the town by the university was like. All the Italian students who talked to were really confused as to why we had decided to go there instead of somewhere else in Italy. They themselves did not even seem to like the area. Also, it would have been nice to know beforehand that we were living with Italian students.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'