An Unforgettable Italian Adventure Past Review

By (Accounting and Financial Management, Bucknell University) - abroad from 01/11/2016 to 05/27/2016 with

IES Abroad: Milan - Study Abroad With IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a sense of confidence and independence. I now feel comfortable traveling all around the world.

Review Photos

IES Abroad: Milan - Study Abroad With IES Abroad Photo IES Abroad: Milan - Study Abroad With IES Abroad Photo IES Abroad: Milan - Study Abroad With IES Abroad Photo IES Abroad: Milan - Study Abroad With IES Abroad Photo IES Abroad: Milan - Study Abroad With IES Abroad Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* 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? Yes

The people I met on my program are now my lifelong friends. I visited places I've always dreamed of visiting. I took thought provoking classes with dedicated professors.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 30 euro on groceries per week. A typical meal would be from 15-20 euro if I went out to eat. It varied.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Book trips early so the airfare and housing is cheaper.

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? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None in Italian.
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? Try and ask for everything in Italian when you go to restaurants/stores/meet someone on the street/etc. Practice whenever you can and if you need help, odds are they know a little bit of English.

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The people I met through the program.
  • The fun and thought provoking classes.
  • The flexibility to travel frequently.
* What could be improved?
  • More immersion programs.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I planned my travel a lot earlier. I planned a lot of trips last minute, which ended up being a lot more expensive. I also didn't travel a lot in the beginning of the program, which meant I missed out on going to some places I wanted to go because I ran out of time.

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 Urbanite
A 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.