Unforgettable Past Review
By A student (University of Maine - Orono) - abroad from 06/30/2018 to 08/04/2018 with
USAC Italy: Viterbo - Intensive Italian Language, History, and the Arts
Yes, I learned how to live more on my own, how to interact with those who do not speak the same language as me, and how to appreciate another culture besides my own.
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. |
Wonderful professors, interesting material |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Luisa and Francesca were wonderful in organizing and planning everything out so that we did not feel overwhelmed in a new place. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Everything was walkable and accessible from my location, and my roommates were wonderful. |
| * Food: |
Amazing!! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Everyone was very nice, but I felt we often hang around with only USAC people . |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Personally, I did not have any health issues, but for those who did, it was addressed and taken care of right away. |
| * Safety: |
In this small town, I always felt safe, and I could walk alone at night and have no worries. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I loved my program, but I would like to try something new in a different country. |
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) |
Overall, I spent more money than I thought I would have. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About 75 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Check with your bank before you leave what fees there are for using your card/an ATM in a foreign country. Also, always have euros on you as smaller towns rely more on cash than credit. |
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 |
They also encourages using/learning the native language, but they understood we were not native speakers and would try their best to work with us. |
| 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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | AP French in high school |
| 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? | Know the typical phrases/greetings before coming. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
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? | Make sure to bring at least one pair of pants (something that covers your knees) and something to cover your shoulders (scarf, jacket, short sleeve shirt). |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
The Sociology of Food: A Cross-Cultural Comparison |
| Course Department: | Sociology |
| Instructor: | Dr. Amy Blackstone |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Challenged us to really think about the material and questions presented, easy to voice my opinions, accommodating to requests/obstacles, awesome field trips |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No |
