Satisfied, not the best Past Review

By (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/03/2018 to 12/21/2018 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned the language 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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

ECCO staff was generally helpful. They provided support throughout the stay and they were responsive via email.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing facilities were in poor condition. The building was old, the window was broken and I had to tolerate the coldness during the winter because it wouldn't close. The water stopped several times through the semester and the bath and toilet was unclean. The dorm was far from classes and the city center, preventing us from having a cultural experience in the city. The porter (the maintenance security people) who were always at the dorm was unnecessarily intimidating and rude and unhelpful/

* Food:

Although I had to cook for myself, the overall food experience in Italy was great.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It was hard being a person of color in a country almost all white, but I somehow adjusted to the culture by learning the language and customs.

* 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)

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? Italian 202
How many hours per day did you use the language?

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

  • Americans
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?
  • Friends
  • Culture
  • Staff
* What could be improved?
  • Housing
  • Discrimination
  • Organization
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish there were more international students.