Food, fashion, friends: the perfect semester abroad Past Review
By Madison Morsch (Wofford College) - abroad from 01/10/2016 to 05/13/2016 with
IES Abroad: Milan - Study Abroad With IES Abroad
I learned how to live on my own and support myself when I became homesick or yearned for normalcy. I learned that different and change are a good thing and healthy for the young mind and body. I learned that I love to travel and there is nothing I would rather spend my time doing than seeing the world. I learned that there is more out there for me than what I expected. My study abroad experience was beyond worthwhile. It was life changing. And not in the cliche life changing way; in a way so personal there are not words to describe how absolutely perfect and incredible it was.
Review Photos
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. |
The professors were extremely helpful and hands-on. All of our field studies and group projects helped me both immerse into the Italian culture, as well as learn how my studies apply to my everyday life. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administrators and professors created incredible programming which helped me meet students both in and outside of my program. They also were very kind when it came to situations that I and other students needed their assistance with. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My roommates became my best friends abroad. My Italian roommate, Ilenia, is still one of my closest friends and helped me adapt to the Italian culture as well as help improve my language and communication skills. |
| * Food: |
Italian food is the best there is. It doesn't get better than pizza, pasta, and gelato every day. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved the Italian culture. Drinking espresso in the morning and rocking the newest and edgiest fashion trends were some of my favorite parts about living in Milan. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no health problems abroad, however the school doctors saw students regularly and fairly efficiently when it came to small health issues. One friend of mine, however was forced to wait in an Emergency Room waiting room for 10 hours before being seen because his case was not urgent enough to be seen right away. While the health care is up to date in Italy, its efficiency is not up to par with what American students are generally used to. |
| * Safety: |
Stick to the buddy system and you are good to go. I never ran into any safety problems while abroad. Even using public transportation late at night is generally okay as long as you do not go out of your way to provoke anyone who would try taking advantage of you. It's honestly all about self awareness and being in full control of your situation and when you are traveling in a group it makes that easier. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I would never give up my experience with IES Milan. My professors changed the way I viewed the typical college experience. I made friends that will last a lifetime. And Milan was the absolute perfect city for me and my interests. Fashion has always been a passion of mine and being present during Milan Women's Fashion Week was one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life. Not only this but being in a city so centrally located in Europe, flights were inexpensive thus making travel throughout the continent and even to Africa fairly easy. |
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) |
I was a little out of control with my spending while abroad, however this is something that could have been fixed if I had reigned myself in and laid out a weekly budget. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~$100 per week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | During the weekdays, eat lunch and dinner at home. Save your money for traveling and weekend meals. For museums as well as bars/clubs find the student deals because there are so many out there! |
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 |
We had a four week Italian intensive four days a week upon arrival in Milan. This class continued during the regular semester dropping to two days a week. This class helped me learn the basics and allowed me to speak enough Italian to get by in every day situations. |
| 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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had completed a 300 level Spanish class prior to this semester. |
| 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? | Practice with your friends outside of class. Never ask for the English menu in restaurants. Practice with your host family/Italian community advisor. Practice is ultimately the only way you can improve. |
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? | Budgeting is hard and its easy to get caught up in the moment, so try your best to plan ahead. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
