Un sogno italiano Past Review
By Francis B (Italian Studies., University of Massachusetts Amherst) - abroad from 08/31/2013 to 12/21/2013 with
CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Semester in Perugia
I learned how to be more independent and feel more comfortable with myself. Definitely a worthwhile experience!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes weren't very difficult. Weren't too interactive, were more lecture based. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were all awesome and were pretty helpful, but it is difficult for everything to be clear with the Italian system. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Not bad living situation, but would have preferred to live with Italians. Got stuck speaking too much English, with my international roommates |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Perugia is probably one of the best cities in Italy to feel integrated in the culture, but it is still pretty difficult to get out of the American bubble. |
|
* 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
|
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) |
Money disappears so easily! probably spent around $3000 in total, I traveled to 3 foreign countries, and traveled a good amount around Italy, so I'm pretty content with how much money I spent. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 20-30 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | write down when you're spending your money! it always just disappears! |
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? | Upper level language courses |
| 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? | Participate in tandem! Make friends in class, you can speak Italian with them. Maybe try joining a group or club. I did the UNICEF volunteer program and I was able to speak Italian with the women that worked there since they didn't speak English. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The amount of hills in Perugia, how the classes were structured. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
