A eventful and productive experience Past Review

By (Johnson & Wales University) - abroad from 06/03/2018 to 06/29/2018 with

JWU: Summer on the Italian Coast: Hospitality Operations Management

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so many different things about Italian hospitality compared to American hospitality and it was very mind opening.

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.

I think we focused on including our persona experiences in every lesson we had with our professors. They pushed us to evaluate each trip and connect the relationship between the real world and our lessons.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Serena did an amazing job coordinating our personal arrangements and was really helpful if we had any questions.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My roommate and I were lucky to have received an upgrade room after the first reservation was way too small for two people. They were helpful personally with us but it had terrible wifi which was a huge complication to communicate with our families and finish school work.

* Food:

There was a point where anybody would get fed up eating the same style of food everyday. A bit of diversity is out of our hands but alot of our money was mostly spent on food for lunch and trying to find diversity which was always more expensive.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We connected with the employees of the hostel as well on our trips we got to ask questions on the everyday work they do for the community and their company.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Our professors were great to make sure we felt 100% and if we were feeling under the weather they took the right course of actions. We had a hospital on the corner and many helpful pharmacies around us.

* Safety:

This city was very safe to walk around with friends and as well through out the trip I felt really safe with my group.

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

I would like to focus on more hotel management and communication with local families.

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)

2.5

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50-$120
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make sure you budget every week and save up as money as you can before the trip.

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

5

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
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? Spanish
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? Make sure you study ahead as well participate in class.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Professors
  • Trips
  • Food
* What could be improved?
  • Time management
  • Team building
  • less rest days
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? More research on the language and culture

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.