Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Summer of Sun and Cultural Surprises Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 06/01/2018 to 07/28/2018 with

CET Siena

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about my own capabilities and strengths as a person and I learned how to really take care of myself. I wasn't alone, but sometimes I had to be responsible for myself and it was definitely worthwhile. I learned a decent amount of Italian and I felt I could understand a new culture better. I gained an appreciation for foreign and my own ways,

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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:

Siena was absolutely safe even late at night.

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

It was a very fullfilling program, I learned a lot of Italian, I really liked my host family, Siena was beautiful and perfect and I got to experience a lot of great things this summer. The teachers were great and the program directors very supportive. I liked the Italians better than the Americans on the trip.

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)

To be fair I chose to spend extra money on trips and personal expenses because I was only going there once, but it was fairly easy to maintain a cheap lifestyle in Siena during the week.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $150-$200/week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? $2000 was plenty of money to do a lot of trips around Italy as long as you're smart about how you spend your money and you share housing accomadations to make it cheaper. Other students spent a lot more to go to other countries but I thought it was a waste, they didn't get to see that much. I would save a little more than you think you will need, estimating about $150 per weekend trip and maybe $20-30 for food every week.

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? I'd never taken Italian before.
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? Live with a host family who doesn't speak any english!!!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* 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?
  • My host family
  • attending Palio
  • free weekends to go anywhere
* What could be improved?
  • Have some kind of orientation in the US for the American students in the program.
  • Tell us our schedules before getting to Italy.
  • More bonding activities for the group when we first arrived to encourage more friendships.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew the format of the classes beforehand because it was different from American university classes. I also wish I had known I would have every Thursday afternoon-Sunday off so I could have planned some of my trips in advance and save money.

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.