Travel as much as you can, don't just stay in your host city! Past Review

By (Finance and Financial Management Services., Providence College) - abroad from 01/08/2012 to 05/08/2012 with

IES Abroad: Milan - Study Abroad With IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I became a more well rounded person after experiencing different cultures throughout Europe.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Cattolica University
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

More intense than I expected. Learned a lot of Italian for not taking it prior to going to Milan.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Location was great, right near the IES Center.

* Food:

Italian food gets old after a while, but that is why you need to travel and try different foods.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

Finances

* 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 spent $5,000 abroad. A lot of that was due the fact I flew somewhere every weekend for 3 days.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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? Intermediate
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? Talk to the people who live there and use as little English as you can.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Seeing all of Europe.
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that Milan wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be. Looking back I wish I chose Barcelona.