Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Taste of Italy Past Review

By (Trinity University) - abroad from 05/28/2017 to 07/28/2017 with

IES Abroad: Milan - Study Abroad With IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about European culture, specifically Italian culture and how it compares to my own. I think it was definitely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

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

I really liked being in Italy. The food was amazing and it was also fairly easy to travel to other places in Europe from our location.

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? $100-200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I saved my money for traveling but I know a lot of people spent it on going out to clubs and restaurants. So just budget for what you want to have more money for.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* 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?
  • Our host family
  • Opportunities to travel
  • Lots of guidance
* What could be improved?
  • Too many activities on the first day (everyone was super jet-lagged)
  • Class was aimed at students who have never been out of the U.S.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have known that I was not going to have to dress up for my internship because beforehand I was very stressed and trying to come up with very professional outfits and then I didn't end up wearing most of it.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'