Past Review
By Maria Y (International Business., Trinity University) for
IES Abroad: Milan - Study Abroad With IES Abroad
My experience was extremely worthwhile and one that I know will only come once in a lifetime. Going abroad during college is a perfect timing because it prepares you for almost everything that you will encounter in the world once you graduate. I experienced everything ranging from difficult times, which only made me stronger and independent, to the best times of my life, which will be memories I will hold on to forever. The people you meet and experience you gain, is incomparable and unforgetable.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universita Catolica and Bocconi |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Academics were fair and not too heavy. The only heavy workload is during the language intesive program at the beginning. If a student is organized and does all that is asked, there is not doubt he will receive the A. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
At times it lacked a little bit of organization however overall it was an excellent program to go on and I really enjoyed my stay with IES. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We were one of the luckiest. Our apartment was extremely central; a walking distance from everything and a good size. <br /><br /> We lived with an Italin who became our close friend and who helped us practice Italian. |
| * Food: |
I love Italian food and the food over there exceeded my expectations. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The trips were great! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
We had the Catolica health program available to us for free and the hospital was right around the corner of the program building. I felt safe in Milan. There was only one encounter with a couple of drunks that were following my friend and I but that can happen anywhere and it was our fault for being alone at that time in the streets. It is important to take precautions always, especially in big cities. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | After adding the social aspect, trips, shopping, and food.. it was about 175 euros a week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | This is more of a personal level. It all depends how much traveling one wants to do. However, I ended up increasing my monthly expenses once I go there. Italy is much more expenive than America. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I did not take any classes in Italian before going |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I went to Italy without knowing any Italian. I came back knowing how to defend myself and understanding most of it. I did not reach the level I would have liked but that was my fault for not exposing myself. The program does its part on providing the students with the necessary tools to learn the language. The student's part is practicing and exposing himself to the language as much 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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | To prepare and open himself to a completely different lifestyle. Also to embrace the differences and make the best of them because they will probably only come once in a lifetime. |
