SEINA E PAAAAAAALIO!!!!!!!! Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 06/05/2016 to 07/30/2016 with

CET Siena

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The world is wonderful and worth exploring. The troubles of being black in American don't have to cripple me if I remember that I can be black in the WORLD.

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?

Yo, they let us see and hang out in one of the Contrade museums! It's was bananas!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Seina is one of the safest cities to travel/study in. It's small and the people generally don't engage in crime. You'll esialy find the comfort to be yourself here.

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

I want to see Ida. I want to see Elana. I want to see Arellio and the guys. I want to see Marge and most importantly: AQUILLLLLAAA!!!!!! AQUILA FARÒ E PALIO!!!!

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)

It's not ImPossible. You might not travel all around Italy as a whole but you can definitely survive in Seina.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? €20-35
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? COOK AS MANY MEALS AT HOME AS POSSIBLE!

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? Intermediate
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? Level 2
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? Get lost. I know it sounds crazy, but if you want to put it to the test, get lost like I did. You'll be amazed by how much you pull out when you trying to explore.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Ida.
  • Being independent
  • John John The Don
* What could be improved?
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't put your travel institution in any bags. Keep them on your person at all times.

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.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Italian Languaga

Course Department: Italian
Instructor: Ida Ferrari
Instruction Language: Italian
Comments: My professor Ida was the best part of my entire experience abroad. Class stared with just 2 students and eventually only I remained. Still, Ida was BRILLIANT! Her attitude and her passion, her care and ability to assign the best in-class and out of class assignments helped me integrate into the wonderful city I was in. She used exams to assess me and always went over them afterward so that I could improve. Ida was the BEST!!!!
Credit Transfer Issues: Do your survey in time!