Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Immersive and balanced experience in Bologna! Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/03/2017 to 12/21/2018 with

Eastern College Consortium (ECCO): Bologna - Università di Bologna Study Abroad Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Very worthwhile. I gained further language skills and exposure to more of the world than I'd seen before, as well as the experience of living and cooking alone. Plus, exposure to students from other colleges alone was remarkable - Wellesley can often feel like a bubble.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

The program was wonderful and wonderfully balanced, leaving us with enough freedom to actually enjoy our experience AND dig into the language/academics. We were very well taken care of. Great program!

Finances

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Food was far less than $100 / week and other costs too were fairly minimal.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to save up by cooking for most of your meals and having GOOD MEALS when you eat out! Vegetables are AFFORDABLE, don't be afraid.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 300 level seminar
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Balanced living
  • Academics
  • Foreign exposure
* What could be improved?
  • Opportunity to choose to take classes for a grade or not
  • n/a
  • n/a
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing - going in not knowing everything is part of the experience.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'