Glad I studied abroad Past Review
By A student (Finance, Financial Services, University of Maine - Orono) - abroad from 05/21/2015 to 07/01/2015 with
USAC Italy: Torino - International Business, Politics, Architecture, and Italian Studies
Biggest thing I gained was an incredible amount of independence and experience.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
-Workload was more than expected for the marketing class -Professor was knowledgeable -Wi-Fi at the school was spotty and made assignments difficult |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
-You do not get to pick where you live, but the apartments were all very nice |
| * Food: |
It's Italy!!! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was hard to connect with the Italian students as the classes were only for USAC students. Local storekeepers were welcoming for the most part, and many would remember you and try to get to know you. Some locals wanted nothing to do with you. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Be careful when out at night. Don't be dumb, plain and simple. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100-150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Decide what you absolutely do not want to miss out on and don't hesitate to spend your money on those aspects. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Try to speak Italian when ordering food. Locals want to practice English as much as you want to practice Italian so try and help each other out. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | I wish I had known more about the actual classes and who would be in them. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
