A hard lesson learned Past Review
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/07/2019 to 05/22/2019 with
Eastern College Consortium (ECCO): Bologna - Università di Bologna Study Abroad Program
I don't regret it because I explored different cultures and learned a whole new language, but I definitely think I could've had a better one.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were not very accessible, and not helpful at all. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
They definitely could have put us in better accommodations. |
| * Food: |
Food was decent, but had to cook for ourselves. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
There was a doctor available to us if we needed one, but there are no good over the counter medicine in Italy. |
| * Safety: |
Bologna was pretty safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I think I could have had a better experience in a different country. I think that Italy had too much racism there. |
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) |
But they could have provided more money honestly. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About 50 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | don't spend all your money. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Beginner Italian |
| 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? | try to speak only in that language and watch movies. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew that my unibo was going to be taught in italian instead of english. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
