Un semestre meraviglioso a Bologna Past Review
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/06/2019 to 12/21/2019 with
Eastern College Consortium (ECCO): Bologna - Università di Bologna Study Abroad Program
My time abroad was definitely worthwhile. I learned a lot about the culture I was in, about myself, and about the language. I gained new, wonderful relationships and an experience that is very different from what my life is like at Wellesley (which was nice).
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
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 |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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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? |
Healthcare was accessible and the program was a great resource for figuring out where to go. |
| * Safety: |
The city was very safe (even at night). |
| 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) |
I was able to live on a student's budget very easily. It really depends on what your costs are. I really only bought what I needed and some souvenirs, so my costs weren't as high as other students'. I used the stipend money for food (I mostly cooked for myself, but ate out for lunch about 3 or 4 times a week) and train tickets to other cities. I didn't give it a full five stars because during Lecce (in August), our food stipend was very low because they said they would be feeding us during the weekends, but that wasn't really the case. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cooking for yourself or with friends is a great way to save 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? | 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 273 |
| 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? | Speaking with your suite mates will help you practice and ordering in Italian in restaurants even if they try to speak to you in English. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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 more about things to do in Bologna, but outside of the city center. |
