Torino is my home away from home. Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload was on par with my other college courses and yet still allowed me time to travel on the weekends and experience the many things that the city of Torino has to offer. The Italian language professors are amazing, their grading is fair and they spend lots of time making sure that each student understand the language. There are plenty of facilities at the SAA that also allows the students to get the support they need with the tutors and the language lab. The architecture design classes are taught by local practicing architects and they give you an opportunity to learn how lke an Italian. The Italian Film course was a wonderful class where I saw and discussed films I had never heard of but which have made me a fan of the Italian cinema. The Italian Cuisine classes were an interesting adventure into the culinary culture of Italy and the classes were a fountain of great knowledge, experience, and recipes to help me cook there and at home when I returned.

On-site administration of your program

Alyssa Nota was an amazing administrator of the program because she truly cares about the students for which she leads. She also wants each of her students to take part of the Italian way of life so that everyone will have a broader scope of life and culture. Eliana Silvestro manages all the class schedules. She is always there to help figure things out and offer a friendly smile. Daniele Cataldo handles the housing and activities for the program. He helps the students with anything and is often seen helping the students with their apartments or arranging sporting events such as bowling, volleyball and other sports. The three of them spent an enormous amount of time trying to create the best learning environment for the students from the classes, to the local activities, to the school lead excursions. Over the course of the year I became good friends with them, especially Daniele, and I am incredibly thankful that I was able to study abroad with them.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in mid-town according to the USAC staff, city center by most residents of Torino but regardless, I could not have asked to have stayed in a better area. The first time studying in Torino, I lived near school, but this time I wanted to stay nearer to the city center so that I could easily commute to my internship, so that I could participate more in the city functions and nightlife, and so that I could explore the city more. The apartments all vary but the one I was in was very nice and since I lived with an Italian the experience was amazing. The apartments are small when compared to American standards, however, it has everything that is needed and you quickly learn one can live with a lot less than what we are accustomed to in the US. The places are great as long as you approach with an open mind and a willingness to embrace another culture. I loved every minute of my time there.

The food was amazing. It is Italy after all. There were a great restaurants everywhere and I had an awesome Chinese/Pizza directly below where I lived. The market was a 5 minute walk away, a butcher and bakery around the corner, and there where many more restaurants if I wanted to wander. Another great place was the SAA Bar. The baristas are great people and it is a nice place to practice your Italian and eat lunch since the food is great and cheap. Also in regards to food, if you get the chance to take Italian cuisine, especially with Professor Bottero, do it. You will not regret it.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

After spending time in Torino I hope to go back often and maybe one day have a second home there. There are tons of amenities. It was the first capital of unified Italy, it is home the the second largest Egyptian museum in the world, it has the National Cinema Museum (in the building that is one of the symbols of the city), a great Oriental Art Museum, amazing piazzas, beautiful parks, and I could go on. It is also located near the Alps (which is great for snowboarding in the winter), only a 2 hour train ride from Milano (your hub for most flights), 3 hours to the beach, and 5 hours from Paris. The people are nice and friendly and there are enough English speakers that everyone is willing to help you learn Italian. There is plenty to see and people to meet in Torino.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The health issues there were taken care of by a doctor that handles all the USAC students. He is closely located near the school and speaks English so everything is taken care of with ease. If things should need more attention, there is a hospital close by the school too. As far as safety, I never felt unsafe. I have traveled and lived in large cities often so I am quite comfortable in those environments. Like all large cities, if you are aware of your surroundings and make wise decisions and you will be fine.

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

This time around I was in Italy to participate in the Architectural Internship so Italian language courses were a big part of what I studied while I was there. Over the course of the year I took every Italian language course offered at the time and by the time I left, I had an intermediate to advanced grasp of the language. I might have been better if I spent more time talking to Italians rather than native English speakers (which you find even outside of the program) but after I returned to the US, I have met other Italian speakers and I converse with them quite fluently. The Italian language classes and teachers helped me to become practically fluent in about a year.

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