Go abroad - only your bank account will regret it Past Review

By Corrie R (Anthropology., University of Vermont) - abroad from 01/28/2013 to 06/21/2013 with

ISEP Exchange: Milan - Exchange Program at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

It is absolutely true that the best things you learn about during study abroad are about yourself: what you like, don't like, how you act in certain situations, what matters to you, and how you see the world. You become so aware that there is a whole other world out there with cultures that have amazing differences and surprising similarities. Italy was amazing and has a bit of everything, and Milan is a city that grows on you more and more.

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?	I visited one of the school doctors, who spoke English and was helpful. I also visited the Italian hospital a few times, one for myself, and the system can be aggravating and long.
* Safety:	You have to be smart in the city, especially after dark. While I never had any problems with theft, others I knew had phones and wallets pickpocketed off of them.
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)

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?	Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program?	Intermediate
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Apartment
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans International Students
* 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?	10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	Opportunity to take both Italian and English classes
* What could be improved?	More integration into local culture without such an effort More use of Italian
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	If you take courses outside of the international school - and good for you if you do - talk to people in those courses! Most of the Italians you talk to will be friendly and interested in you.

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 Academic or Linguist You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Storia e Critica di Fotografia
Course Department:	Lettere e Filosofia
Instructor:	Willinghton
Instruction Language:	Italian
Comments:	Great class for the international student learning Italian and very interesting as well.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Storia e Linguaggio di Cinema Internazionale
Course Department:
Instructor:	Fumagalli
Instruction Language:	Italian
Comments:	I was in the second half of this course and we talked a lot about Pixar films. There were 2 books required reading, but the exam could be taken in English.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Federico Fellini and Contemporary Cinema
Course Department:	International School
Instructor:	Mara Perbellini
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Culture and Language Lab: Becoming an Italian Masterchef
Course Department:	International School
Instructor:	Barbara Bettinelli
Instruction Language:	English/Italian
Comments:	One of the best experiences of my study abroad semester.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Museologia
Course Department:	Lettere e Filosofia
Instructor:	Arrigoni
Instruction Language:	Italian
Comments:	Interesting material, but professor was not interested in and not helpful to international students. The lecture style does not vary and can be tedious.
Credit Transfer Issues: