The best five months of my life!!! Past Review
By Jade B (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Barnard College) - abroad from 01/08/2014 to 06/06/2014 with
Brown University: Bologna - Brown in Italy at University of Bologna
I've matured as a person, gained a profound love for a culture other than my own, and learned what I want my life to look like.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The Italian academic system is extremely different from the American. There are no structured assignments, small classes, and oral exams. Be sure to manage your time well and get very close with your professors! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Unbelievably supportive. No matter what you want to pursue whether it be joining a swim team or taking cooking classes, the administration will absolutely be there for you. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I adored living with Italian students my age. I got the full immersion experience while feeling comfortable. |
| * Food: |
Italy is the food capital of the world. Bologna is the food capital of Italy. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I'm officially an Italian. This program makes you feel more like a resident than a tourist. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The healthcare specialist attached to our program is a wonderful American man who assures you that you are in very good hands. |
| * Safety: |
There were no problems whatsoever. Just be sure to lock up your bicycle! |
| 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 |
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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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Find a close group of friends from that country who do not speak english! |
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? | Travel as much as you possibly can. This will be the best period in your college career. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
