Past Review
By Katherine N (Political Science and Government., Wellesley College) for
Eastern College Consortium (ECCO): Bologna - Università di Bologna Study Abroad Program
Yes. I gained significant oral language skills, although I find my grammar to be a little lacking. Because I stayed a full year, I've practically fulfilled all the requirements for a secondary Italian major, so I'll be adding that to my first and thereby becoming a double major.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
| The term and year this program took place: | Fall 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Less day to day work but just as much to study. Less personal connection between professors and students - expected in a large university rather than a small one |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Local program directors are very knowledgeable, with many years of experience. They were highly accessible, caring, and had high expectations of us so that we could better enjoy our time abroad. Love them! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Ghigi2 <br /><br /> Good neighborhood, a little on the far side of the city center. Walking distance, but not alone at night. I was the first person in my apartment so I had to buy a few things to get settled but anyone who comes after will be set. Roommates and I got along very well. Very interesting and fun. |
| * Food: |
I cooked for myself a lot the first semester, I suggest getting into a dinner-cooking rotation with friends to help yourself get adventurous and enjoy company. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Great possibilities in a university town for socializing, nightlife, and cultural events. Program organizes wonderful cultural excursions. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Though I personally never had any issues, other students had issues with strangers approaching their windows to steal things or generally being creepy. The complex we lived in should change its security approach to worry more about late-night outsiders than hassling people for having friends over. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Approx. 400 Euro a month; included all food, everyday expenses, and some travel. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Keep track of your spending. Don't expect it to cover habitual excessive drinking and everything else. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 200-level |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Not a tourist city so english is less common; spoke to all locals in their language but could have used more between program participants |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | DO IT! It'll be a great semester as long as you continue to put yourself out there and you'll learn a lot! |
