Siena: The politics of wine and revelry Past Review
By Jacob S (HISTORY., Western Washington University) for
GEO: Siena - Study Abroad Programs in Siena
I have an amazing life change, the totality of which I cannot explain on this small blob of whiteness.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Talking about paintings, then going to see the actual pieces is an amazing experience that you can only get in Europe or the East Coast. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were really good about helping out. I fractured one my toes during Judo while in Italy, and the coordinator came over to my house with bandages and pain relievers. They were incredibly well-meaning and nice. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Being basically the only guy in the program, I had the incredible fortune to live with all non-Americans. Thank god! Instead of being cloistered with a bunch of American girls, I got to truly experience Europe by living with Europeans. I say Europe because most of my roommates were from Central and Eastern Europe, including the Middle East. The nightlife is absolutely amazing and with 10-15 minutes of brisk walking I was in the center of the city. I was treated honorably and had an amazing experience getting to know my roommates, who quickly became some of my best friends. |
| * Food: |
Uhhhhhh, its Italy. The food everywhere is pretty much amazing. Just don't go to the restaurants in the big plazas because they are obviously very expensive. Explore! Go into alleys and side streets and you will find the best food you've ever had in your life. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The field trips were INCREDIBLE. Venice, Florence, Rome, Etc. But go places by yourself, don't just do the field trips. I went to Venice by myself (well, there was a female with me, haha) and it was pretty much the best trip ever. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Everything was very safe. Italians are pretty pleasant people who avoid confrontation even when really drunk. I never really saw any fights or anything. |
| 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 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
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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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Have exact change. God do they hate it when you hand them large bills to cover something, I have no idea why. Oh and always pour a ladies wine first, even though that's something you should learn in America as well, boys! If you are a girl walking by yourself, you are asking to be hit on. A lot. Walking with any guy will dissuade that to some degree. As a guy, going out with girls was awesome because the guys came up to me first to shower me with liquor and alcohol. Its a sign of respect, and if they come over to you while your with a girl and don't give you props, its the equivalent of getting slapped in the face. Prepare to fight. Haha, I'm being a little sarcastic about some of this. |
