Milan: An Amazing Adventure Past Review

By (Management, Providence College) for

IES Abroad: Milan - Study Abroad With IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was amazing. I gained so much from it personally, socially, and academically. Just such a great experience that i think everyone should have.

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.

Had amazing teachers really enjoyed all of my classes. Teachers wanted you to do well and tried to help you if you needed it.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Program was amazing. The housing could definately have been improved but besides that I wouldn't change anything about the program.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Some students had very nice apartments and others had not so nice apartments. I feel like there should have either been a choice to pay less or more for your apartment or more equal living spaces for everyone.

* Food:

I liked having to make and figure out my own meals.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

So many its hard to list. Just going out to dinner at local restaurants or walking around the city. Make sure to explore as much as you can and not just sit in your apartment.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I always felt safe as long as I was with another person. Milan was pretty safe never got pick pockted or anything but definately be aware of your surroundings.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't forget the conversion rate!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Had to use Italian every day in order to get through everyday life. Not a lot of English was spoken with locals. This program encouraged you to speak italian so much, it was such a positive experience.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't be scared you are going to have the time of your life. Explore as much as you can. A person who really wanted cultural immersion should go to Milan. There are not a lot of american students like other programs and you get to know the real Italy and you have to speak the language to survive. It is AMAZING, and I encourage everyone to study abroad.