A life changing experience Past Review

By (Northwest Arkansas Community College) - abroad from 05/16/2016 to 05/29/2016 with

NWACC: Study Abroad in Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Certain Culinary things that I have been doing wrong I now understand it the authentic way to do it. The Italian culture and how different it is from American Hospitality. The program and what they did to prepare the students for this study abroad experience. I also learned about the old ancient structure and art that is older than the United States. Every second I was there, it was definitely worthwhile. Lets just say if I was left behind, I would've not really care.

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.

Over that 2 weeks period, I learn a lot more than I expected. I'm never a person who would high expectation when going anywhere, but this blew my mind away.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very friendly and professional. Not only that but they a lot of knowledge on what they were talking about.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was truly satisfied, because we got experience the culture of Italy through these living arrangements.

* Food:

One of my goal was to experience the culture through the food and it was definitely there.

* 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? Yes

I would definitely do it again, because this study abroad program allow me to understand what I wanted to do as a career. I am a hospitality major and before the trip, I was lost on where I should go with my career. Now I am trying to finish school and enter the program EF Tours.

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? $1,500.00
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? It's all in the mind. Use your money only on what you need (bills, gas, food, etc.) while you're preparing to study abroad. Stop going out every weekend, because the money you spend will not be as worth it when your studying abroad. Before we went to Italy, I completely stop going out, because I knew the more money I had studying abroad gave me a sense of safety and it allowed me to experience the culture whenever I wanted to spend my money.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International 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
  • The passion behind the program
  • The weekly/monthly payment that allowed me to go
* What could be improved?
  • N/A
  • N/A
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I would've saved more money then I plan.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.