A Truly Integrative Environment Past Review
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/05/2019 to 12/21/2019 with
Eastern College Consortium (ECCO): Bologna - Università di Bologna Study Abroad Program
I made a lot of friends through the ECCO program that I will stay in touch with for a long time, as well as Italian friends that I am still in touch with. My ability to speak and write the language also improved immensely.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The program really pushes you to use your Italian skills because all the courses are taught in the language. |
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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? |
I lived in an apartment-style dorm of four people, however some people had to live in apartments of 12 people which seemed too much. |
| * Food: |
We got 13 euros a day to spend on food, which was definitely sufficient. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Taking classes at the University of Bologna really helped to meet other Italian students. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
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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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | ITAS 202 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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 how intense some of the classes were going to be - there is quite a bit of reading and more tests than I was expecting. |
