USAC Torino was the best experience of my life!! Past Review
By Megan M (Civil Engineering, University of Idaho) for
USAC Italy: Torino - International Business, Politics, Architecture, and Italian Studies
This experience really helped me grow up. I had never lived on my own and this experience made me figure out how to do that and I made great friends!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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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? |
They have apartments there that they rent for you, and while some are better than others, it is a great experience to have to go buy your own groceries and cook your own food. By the way, I had one of the not-better ones and I absolutely loved it! |
| * Food: |
There is a cafeteria at the school that serves lunch, but it is a million times better than any American cafeteria. They serve fresh pasta or a meat dish and also have a cafe and sandwiches you can buy any time. As for other meals, you buy your own groceries and cook your own food. And of course, it's Italy, so any food from a restaurant is fabulous! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
They have trips planned where you can learn about the surrounding area and there is a Riviera trip between sessions that is great. Like I said earlier, Torino is not a very touristy city so it really makes you experience the true Italian culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I know of one health issue that occurred while we were there. One girl got a stomach virus giving her a horrible stomach pain. The program director took her to the hospital and stayed with her the whole night. They made sure she was well taken care of and help comfort her since she was in a different country and so far from home. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
The class they offer is great for teaching you what you need to know to get by in every-day life in Italy. Because Torino is not very touristy, it makes you learn the language because not many people speak English. But, it is still easy to get by if you don't speak the language, but are learning. I didn't speak one word of Italian when I went went, but learned quickly and was able to get by just fine! |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would recommend going for the whole year! I only went for a summer and that is the only thing I regret about my experience. The program is great and so is the country and community of Torino. I HIGHLY recommend this program! |
