Amazing semester in Sorrento Past Review
By bryce g (Interior Design, Alfred State College - SUNY College of Technology) - abroad from 01/16/2015 to 05/09/2015 with
Sant'Anna Institute: Sorrento - Live, Learn and Immerse in Italy
100% worthwhile. Not many people get an opportunity as amazing as this.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Enjoyable for the most part, some classes more difficult than others. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
All staff was extremely helpful through Sant'anna, as well as the Alfred State professors that came abroad with us. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
No problems with living arrangements. Plenty of room for 5 girls to live and even though the location was a bit further than others, it was very enjoyable to be on a quiet street. Some problems with landlord, but just things that weren't properly explained to us in the beginning. |
| * Food: |
As a college student, I didn't want to spend large amounts on meals while dining out or on groceries. The food I got to try was good, but cheap pizza and pasta get tiring after a while. Having more money saved for food would be a suggested option for future students. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Majority of the people in Sorrento speak english, so it wasn't a difficult change. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any health issues while abroad. |
| * Safety: |
Felt safe majority of the time. Later at night I suggest ladies don't walk alone just to be safe. Nothing ever happened to me, but there are many people wondering the streets late so you never know. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
I could have easily spent much less money while being here, but I had a lot saved so I did not budget as well as I could have. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50 E |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try not to splurge on everything in the beginning, you are here for 4 months. Use money to travel and not all on alcohol. |
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 |
Most people speak english here but it was also fun to try to speak the language with those who are willing to help and listen. |
| 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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | French 5 |
| 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? | Use the language wherever you can, they may answer in english but it looks good if you put in the effort. |
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? | More of the language, more about the living situations, and more of the students before attending. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
