good but misadvertised February 14, 2023
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/17/2022 to 12/20/2022 with
Eastern College Consortium (ECCO): Bologna - Università di Bologna Study Abroad Program
I had a good experience abroad, but not because of my program
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
academically rigorous felt like expectations did not match what was taught in some courses. did not feel like particularly supportive or resources limited course choices, not made clear beforehand |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
not particularly supportive |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
housing was okay, maintenance was not great location outside of center, but I liked the location |
| * Food: |
food-cooking yourself or going out, food is not provided in a dorm setting kitchens |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
the program placed us with Italians in the housing, but I integrated myself in other ways, not through the program. The program encouraged interaction with other members i the program, but if you want to integrate with the local culture, you have to do that yourself |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
felt like some people had more assistance and positive experiences then others. through the program it felt okay did not have experience with health care outside of system pharmacy is very useful and helpful |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe, but I know that not everyone would feel that. Would say very important to be on a mobile network, having a working cellphone very important. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
the way it was advertised did not reflect what it was felt like there was also bias against and for certain students certain things were just very unbalanced. |
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) |
4 for food, grocery stores tend to be pretty affordable and in restaurants, compared to most places in the US 2 personal expenses, more expense, to travel costs but would say worth it for the experience |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | lot of people used budget trackers some things will be more expense and can build up quickly so need to consider what is more want/need justifying certain expenses very personal |
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 |
yes in the classroom or in the presence of the program, but outside not necessarily |
| 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? | itas 203 |
| 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? | media -music -shows -reading as much exposure as possible |
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? |
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? | that you only get to take one class at the university most of the people are humanities, so the courses through ecco are limited to humanities, and very limited options. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
