Go to Viterbo! Past Review
By Coreen C (Information Systems, University of Nevada - Reno) for
USAC Italy: Viterbo - Intensive Italian Language, History, and the Arts
I still tell people that my study abroad experience was the best time of my life. It was great to study but still have so many great opportunities to travel and see Europe! If you are frugal, your money will go a long way in taking you anywhere and everywhere you want to go. I recommend study abroad to everyone I know. USAC was really helpful with all of my questions, and always ready to lend a hand in making all of my arrangements as easy as possible. Study abroad, it'll change your life for the better!
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universita della Tuscia |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I loved my Italian professor in Viterbo. I took an intermediate class, basically skipping one semester of Italian so I could advance. I was nervous, but she was great and during our lessons, only spoke Italian. By the end of my trip I was able to definitely communicate in Italian, almost better then Spanish, which I'm basically fluent in. The workload was perfect for learning but also kept in mind that studying abroad isn't just about taking classes, but also having the opportunity to travel every weekend and experience different cultures. I also liked how small the classes were. We definitely got to know our instructors. The only thing I would complain about it that we didn't really seem to get the best of the facilities, which was frustrating because we are spending a lot of money. Other then that, I would do it again in a heart beat! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were great! Very supportive and helpful, great knowledge of the country, since they were Italian. The program size was perfect and they took really great care of us. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My apartment was in a building that was almost 900 year old! It was great, and I felt at home the moment I got there. The most important thing to know is that utilities are SUPER expensive, but once you have that under your belt, you can manage them well, even in an ancient building made of stone during the winter. We had to buy sheets and some cookware, though there was some stuff still in the apt. The landlords were really nice, and there was just one super crazy neighbor, which at times made life "exciting" though a little scary. |
| * Food: |
You can't eat anywhere like you can eat in Italy!! Also, meals at the university are super cheap and really filling and delicious. Not only that, but grocery shopping isn't too bad because a big bag of pasta and some delicious sauce only costs about 2 or 3 Euro total, which makes it really inexpensive to cook your own meals. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Viterbo is a historic city, so there are a lot of great festivals and things going on in or around it. Italy is rich with history no matter where you go, so go everywhere! We went to a fire festival in Bagnaia, which is awesome! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Safety was good in Viterbo. Always keep a close eye on your belongings when traveling though. I had a friend that did become sick while we were traveling in Napels. The healthcare in the south isn't very good, but as soon as we got back to Viterbo, he got much better care. The doctor in Viterbo that my boyfriend saw for an ear infection was ok, but it's not the US, so be ready for that. |
| 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? |
I practiced with the people in Viterbo, almost no one spoke English. I would suggest having a beginner year in the US, so that you can really learn the language in country. |
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? | If you are looking for a great, new experience and love to travel, go to Viterbo!! It's filled with rich culture as well as great people. It's not too big which is really nice, yet you can get to Rome in 2 hours and go anywhere from there! It's a great place to come home to after a weekend of traveling. The staff is awesome and I still miss it almost every day! |
