Hard first half of the year and great second half February 16, 2021
By Valeriia Vakhitova (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/09/2018 to 06/30/2019 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Rome
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I realized that it is really hard to build a friendship with Italians, you need to invest into your interactions
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I would just set different goals - make friends and not just be lonely |
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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I had to be very strict and only spend 10$/day - but it was almost impossible. COnsider 25$ a day is a normal price for food daily |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | be vegetarian - buy veggies in the markets and not in the stores |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 400 |
| 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 friends with other international students learning and eager to learn Italian |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Find a hobby - gym, dance class and make friends there |
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 BlazerCraving 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: |
Geomorfologia |
| Course Department: | Geologia |
| Instructor: | prof. Ciccacci |
| Instruction Language: | italian |
| Comments: | fun excursions and a lot of terrestrial forms |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Vulcanologia |
| Course Department: | Geologia |
| Instructor: | Prof. Palladino |
| Instruction Language: | Italian |
| Comments: | A lot of heavy theory, and 2 trips to Vesuvio and Northern Italy |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Geochimica |
| Course Department: | Geologia |
| Instructor: | Castorina |
| Instruction Language: | Italian |
| Comments: | Theory heavy and no lab |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
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