Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An Authentic, Full-Immersion Bolognese Experience Past Review

By (Art History; Italian Studies, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/10/2014 to 05/30/2014 with

Eastern College Consortium (ECCO): Bologna - Università di Bologna Study Abroad Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The ECCO program was extremely worthwhile because it gave me the chance to become fluent in Italian by requiring me to use it on a daily basis and in a variety of settings. I also learned valuable information about Italian history, art, literature, food, music, and culture!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

All of the classes on this program are taught in Italian, which immensely helped my language acquisition. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Italian literature, history, art, music, and culture through the classes I took, and many of them involved site visits around Bologna and to other cities, which greatly enhanced my learning. Additionally, the ECCO staff was so helpful in guiding me through the University of Bologna course sign up!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Everyone in the administration was so friendly and helpful, and was always available to answer questions and offer guidance. They were in constant communication with us, updating us regularly regarding program events and deadlines.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with three University of Bologna students who helped me practice my Italian and acclimate to Bolognese culture. My Italian improved immensely because I was always learning something new from my housemates!

* Food:

I had a wonderful culinary adventure this past semester! By living in apartment-style housing, we were all encouraged to cook for ourselves. ECCO gave us a monthly food allowance which greatly helped in subsidizing food costs. I learned so much about Italian cuisine in the cooking classes at the beginning of the program, and tried many new recipes while abroad. I also had a lot of fun sampling traditional Italian cuisine in the many restaurants I visited throughout Italy.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

This full-immersion program made me feel extremely integrated with Bolognese culture. It required me to speak Italian on a daily basis, whether I was spending time with my housemates, in the classroom, or out in the city of Bologna.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Fortunately, I did not have any health problems while in Bologna!

* Safety:

Bologna is a very safe city of about 500,000, but one should follow the necessary precautions one would take in any city, and make sure to travel with someone else or in a group after 11 PM.

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)

ECCO offers great financial assistance by providing monthly food allowances and monthly reimbursement for Italian cultural activities (i.e. museum trips, church visits, soccer games, etc).

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Writing down my expenses in a journal helped me to monitor my budget.

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

We signed a language pledge and were required to speak in Italian at the ECCO office, on trips, and in the apartments.

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? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Intermediate Italian / 200-level Italian
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Practice with friends, and change your phone, computer, and Facebook settings into Italian!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Living with Italian students and speaking Italian on a daily basis
  • The opportunity to travel within Bologna and throughout Italy
  • The opportunity to learn so much about everything Italian, especially art and history!
* What could be improved?
  • Internet access in the apartments
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Progress happens in the long term, especially with language acquisition. In my experience, it took the full 5 months of my program to achieve fluency in Italian. Everything will come together - patience and hard work are the best virtues! Every opportunity you come across on this program is a chance to learn something new!

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 Linguist
You 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!