It is what you make it, the more you put in, the more you take out Past Review
By Caitlin M (Special Education, Illinois State University) - abroad from 01/31/2013 to 05/18/2013 with
Lorenzo de’ Medici – Tuscania
Mainly communicating with other people from all over the world, including the Americans. I think it was worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
wines and foods class were by far the best with awesome teachers! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was an all right location but my apartment didn't have an oven and wasn't made for tall people... I am 5'9" and hit my head on everything! Also, my roommate situation is pretty bad |
| * Food: |
I mean come on, it's Italy! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Since it's such a small town, you really are forced to get to know the locals and speak Italian which I absolutely loved. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Safest town ever! I walked home alone at like midnight several times and felt completely safe. Everyone knows everyone in Tuscania and they keep tabs on everyone, especially the Americans. They definitely look out for us. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | If you really wanted to, easily about 10 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | USE ALL OF YOUR MEAL VOUCHERS |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Not many people speak English here so we didn't have much of a choice |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | For Italian- none |
| 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? | Just really get to know the locals, I definitely wish I had done that more |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | February is the coldest month in Italy and March is bipolar!!! Bring lots of layers and an umbrella |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
