A crash course on renaissance art. Past Review

By (Business Administration and Management, Berea College) - abroad from 12/26/2015 to 01/06/2016 with

KIIS: Italy - Experience Italy, Winter Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was a nice experience just to be immersed into a different culture and language. It gave perspective to current issues.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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:

Florence was very nice, never felt on edge. Rome was a different story. I wouldn't feel comfortable walking alone at night.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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? 140
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Plan for your semester well in advance so that you can save money.

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? 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? None
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* 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?
  • The Local Food
  • The Language
  • The Craftsmanship
* What could be improved?
  • Professor Organization
  • Choose one city, not both (preferably Florence)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I would have been nice to have known how fast paced this class is. I would have rather have seen less, but spent more time at each. Quality over quantity.

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 Adventurer
The 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.