Torino è bella! Past Review
By Anna L (Art History and International Business, University of Maryland - College Park) for
USAC Italy: Torino - International Business, Politics, Architecture, and Italian Studies
My experience abroad changed my perspective on Italy, culture, and personal aspects of my life. Italian food in America just isn't as good as the real deal in Italy. Italians are some of the nicest most lively people I've ever met. Sharing the Italian experience with other study abroad students created lifelong bonds of friendship. The beautiful places in Italy are inspiring and healing. Studying abroad allows you to leave the comfort of home and life as you know it to experience something new. You have to adjust and you change in subtle ways. You gain experience with traveling, meeting new people, and confidence in yourself. There are many people too afraid to study abroad. There was also someone who came abroad but left after a weekend. Find the strength to stay and you'll return home a different and better person.
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The work load was light enough to experience the country through travel but heavy enough to remind you you're not on vacation. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program gave students a lot of opportunities to explore the city, the country, and surrounding countries. There was freedom to travel on your own or with the group. Academics is a priority and class schedules during the week alloted enough time before and after class to work on assignments and projects. Resources, computers, and staff support were available during the week. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We were able to request the location of our housing. I chose apartments closest to the school (Via Genova). I was hardly ever late, only had to walk around the corner and down the street to reach the University. The was a beautiful apartment with windows, a full kitchen, living room, and TV. We had to buy food weekly but there was a market within walking distance from the apartment. The area around our apartment wasn't too lively but had pubs and a mall around to pass the time. |
| * Food: |
I had the best mean of my life in Italy on a group trip to the Piedmont region. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The staff of USAC Torino did a great job of feeding the group while on group trips. As a group we were able to see beautiful places including the Mediterranean Sea and historic palaces, even castles. The program arranged short day trips and overnight trips that we could choose to go on. We mostly stayed together as a group but when we had free time to explore we were able to really discover the culture of the place we were visiting. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Torino is a wonderful city, but still a city. City life comes with a certain level of crime. There are prostitutes who stand at street corners and dark alleys. USAC staff made us aware that there was a lot of drug use downtown by the Po River. Overall I did not experience any danger in the city. I was able to stay healthy, but there were pharmacies and free healthcare in the city. The staff was also on call if we needed any help. |
| 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 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Most people in Torino did not speak English. The Italian language class was very useful in everyday interactions. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Studying abroad is not easy, but it will change your life in amazing ways. You have to be the type of person who is willing to put yourself in a situation that may not be comfortable at first. Know that after 2 weeks it will become your city, and you will become an Italian. You have to go to the market and take public transportation. The city has an element of magic in the air and if you're open to it, it can transform you. Let go of America, just for a little while, and make the most of your experience! |
