Total Immersian in Small Town Italy Past Review

By (Psychology, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh) - abroad from 06/30/2015 to 07/31/2015 with

Arcadia: Lecce - Italian Language and Culture Summer, Lecce

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to be independent, rise to the occasion in difficult situations, totally immerse myself in a language, try new foods, and attempt to speak to people in a language I barely knew. It absolutely was worthwhile.

Review Photos

Arcadia: Lecce - Italian Language and Culture Summer, Lecce Photo Arcadia: Lecce - Italian Language and Culture Summer, Lecce Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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 area was beautiful. Being so close to the ocean was incredible. I would've liked to be in a slightly more modernized area, but I think the experience made me grow exponentially because it was hard to be completely connected to people in America.

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? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? bring more than enough, bring some for technology things such as having to purchase wifi to communicate with people at home

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? 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? none
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? practice before you go if you can! not knowing any at all was scary and hard

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The town and beaches
  • growing as an independent person
  • meeting new people
* What could be improved?
  • communication about the wifi situation just so that I could be prepared
  • equal housing (some people had way nicer housing than others)
  • organization of the program directors
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Just that we most likely would not have wifi in our house, so that I could plan accordingly.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.