TAKE ME BACK Past Review
By John C (Mathematical physics, Cornell University) - abroad from 01/09/2012 to 06/24/2012 with
Indiana University: Bologna Consortial Studies Program / BCSP
It was the best experience I have ever had in my life, and I can say that without being hyperbolic.... I learned how to be comfortable being me while being surrounded by people who are most certainly not you.. It gave me the confidence to be able to go to any uncomfortable situation and enjoy every second of it (in fact it inspired me to travel to China with a girl I met abroad a few months after I had returned from Italy)
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes were on really interesting topics, developed italian grammatical skills, professors quite easy to talk to (especially in the BCSP run ones--everyone hangs out in the office), taking classes completely in italian made it more challenging but unbelievably rewarding |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Dr. Ricci and Danielle di Leo are really great-- super helpful and very in touch with our experience and age group |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
finding housing on our your own can seem daunting at first but once you make the first call its all down hill from there and its a great way to get your feet wet (the landlords are used to stammering nervous abroad students and are very nice about everything) |
| * Food: |
Bologna "La Grassa," enough said. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
great student life, the town itself is comprised mainly of students so the bars and clubs are great at night... also there are great drink deals/ reduced cover charges for clubs if you are part of the exchange student groups (costs maybe 10 euro to get a card) but that can lead to hanging out with foreigners over local Italians-- don't always just do that |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
A girl studying with me from cornell as well had to make an emergency trip to the dentist and not only did one of the program directors ride on the bus with her to make sure she didn't get lost and to translate but she also got the problem fixed that day |
| * Safety: |
Lots of pickpockets but if you have your head on straight you won't have problems (wallet front pocket, keep the head on a swivel), also girls don't walk home alone at night: some girls had a serious problem with harassment etc. |
| 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) |
It can get pricey but you can limit that by shopping smart at coop etc. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | depends on what I was doing |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | cook some nights with friends and split the cost of everything |
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 |
full emersion or bust. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 5 semesters of 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? | its amazing how fast things come to you when you're in the middle of it.. classes in italian sharpen your listening skills like you wouldn't believe |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | It does end at some point, so make the 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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
