Siena, Italy - A Dream Come True! Past Review
By A student (French Language and Literature., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 06/27/2006 to 07/27/2006 with
SPI Study Abroad: High School Immersion in Italy
I learned so much during my time abroad. I learned so much about Italian culture and the language, I made amazing friends, and I saw and did so many awesome things that I never thought I'd do.
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. |
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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
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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? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't feel like you have to spend a ton of money on fancy dinners every night - I spent most nights with my homestay family, eating their awesome home-cooked meals. This was a big money-saver, plus I got to practice the language more and spend time with my family :) |
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 |
Since it was a language immersion program, everything we did was in Italian. Plus the homestay families don't speak any English. So SPI really encourages you to speak the language constantly, which made me such a better Italian speaker. I barely knew any Italian at all before I went, and my language level improved so much while I was there. |
| 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? | Spanish 2 |
| 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? | I would definitely just be sure to pick a program that does full-on language immersion, like SPI does. That way you can be sure that you'll be practicing the language constantly!! |
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? | Definitely no matter what, even if you're super nervous - always, always speak the language, or try to. That's the only way you'll learn! |
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.' |
