Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best experience (so far) in college Past Review

By (Economics, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/06/2015 to 05/21/2016 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 main thing I learned is Italian. There is no better or faster way to learn a language than living in the country in which it is spoken and in the process I learned about a different culture. The tempo, people, and way of life is so different in Italy than from the U.S.. I really see myself living here in the future. The program leaves enough opportunity so that I made Italian friends in the dorm and through classes so I got to stop feeling so much like an American tourist and more like a local student, which was important to me.

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.

* 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:

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Around $100 a week probably or less
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you pay attention and keep track (and don't eat out a lot) it's possible to stay within the 13 euro a day allowance they give us.

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? Beginner
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? a 200 level
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? Make friends with locals and other Italian students, especially your roommates if possible. Waking up in the morning and immediately having to speak in another language is hard but very helpful for learning quickly.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* 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?
  • That we got placed in dorms with other Italians
  • That we could take both internal classes and regular Unibo courses
  • The organized trips around Italy
* What could be improved?
  • A few too many rules within the program
  • Being required to take 4 classes even if you have enough credits to take less. I found myself in class almost all day from 11 to 6 or 7pm 4 days a week.
  • Mandatory for-credit project in January. I would happily teach an english class and explore all that Bologna has to offer on my own and didn't need the requirement or added essays and credit to do it.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That it's really not necessary to pack so much. It's also really important to be confident enough to put yourself out there and try to talk to people even if you think your language skills aren't that great, because most of the time people are happy and patient enough to listen.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'