Adventures in Italy Past Review

By (Finance and Financial Management Services., University of Arkansas - Fayetteville) - abroad from 05/15/2012 to 06/08/2012 with

CIMBA: Paderno del Grappa - Undergraduate Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about myself. Studying abroad is all about self growth and learning about other cultures. I learned that I like to take advantage of my free time and enjoy outdoor sports, like canyoning.

Review Photos

CIMBA: Paderno del Grappa - Undergraduate Program Photo CIMBA: Paderno del Grappa - Undergraduate Program Photo CIMBA: Paderno del Grappa - Undergraduate Program Photo CIMBA: Paderno del Grappa - Undergraduate Program Photo CIMBA: Paderno del Grappa - Undergraduate Program Photo

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?

I got food poisoning the last week I was there. I think it was from a bad pizza I ate in Bassano. Anyway, the nurse only spoke Italian and I had to get someone in the office to translate. The nurse thought it was something to do with my kidneys but when I got back to the states the doctor said it was food poisoning.

* Safety:

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

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I spent about 200 euros minimal traveling on the long weekends- train tickets, hostels, etc.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Stay at hostels and don't eat at restaurants for every meal while traveling. Some hostels include breakfast too.

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? I used it off and on with the cafeteria workers and locals. You need to know a few phrases for traveling to big cities on weekends. Find a few phrases and practice with your roommate.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* 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?
  • 3 day weekends for traveling
  • Great teachers
  • Large program with American students from all across the US
* What could be improved?
  • Not as many seminars
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have known that I would not have that much time to explore during the school week. Since it was a small village, there was only so much you could do after class and studying. But everyone made up for this when we traveled to cities on weekends. Since there was not much you could see in the village, it forced the students to become friends with other students in the program, which was a huge benefit.