love the town, not the program Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/10/2018 to 06/18/2018 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Ferrara

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
language skills, a sense of independence, and a sense of empowerment.

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?

* Safety:

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

The program was incredibly isolating. While I am sure that I could have made social connections by not talking to erasmus students, the friendships I forged with them are the most enduring and they are the most meaningful part of my time abroad. Stop telling us not to socialize with them.

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? $150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook in as much as possible

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 380
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

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
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?
  • The people I met
  • The chances to travel through Italy
  • The language
* What could be improved?
  • More student support
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Not to be afraid of erasmus students

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Sociologia della salute

Course Department: studie umanistici
Instructor: Non mi ricorda
Instruction Language: italian
Comments: Yes, but it was very interesting and I feel like the professor and tutor were very helpful
Credit Transfer Issues: no
Course Name/Rating:

Sociologia di genere

Course Department: Studie umanistici
Instructor: non mi ricorda
Instruction Language: italian
Comments: yes; the professor was unapproachable and infantilizing of me because I did not have the same grasp on the Italian language as the Italian students
Credit Transfer Issues: no