Great Experience! Past Review
By Kyle Buchanan (University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign) - abroad from 09/01/2015 to 12/20/2017 with
Gustolab International: Rome - Institute for Food Studies Semester and Programs
I learned all about food and culture of Italy. It was also a great opportunity to travel around Europe. It was a great experience
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff is all very friendly and helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We had an awesome apartment, each with our own rooms, balconies, and it was in a great location. Our apartment was nicer than anywhere I've lived on campus here in the states. |
| * Food: |
I miss the food everyday. We would get 4 course meals all the time and it was all fantastic. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We were able to meet people but it was difficult to meet local Italians. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got sick at one point and it was pretty easy to get antibiotics |
| * Safety: |
I felt pretty safe most of the time but if you wander into the wrong neighborhood at night it can be dangerous. Use common sense and you should be OK |
| 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) |
Food wasn't too expensive, especially if you buy it at the grocery store |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Because I was abroad I was eating out a fair amount. Probably ~$40 |
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? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Entry level Italian |
| 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 can't think of anything. |
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. |
