Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Summer in Italy: Hot, But So Much Fun - Art Studio Siena Past Review

By (Biology, General., Utica College) - abroad from 07/08/2015 to 07/22/2015 with

Study Abroad Programs in Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained new friends and great experiences. I had never been to Italy,so exploring it with other people that were just as excited as me to be there was so worthwhile and memorable.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I learned a lot specific drawing techniques and how to actually create works of art I could be proud of.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

It was a lot of learning as you go. So itinerary would be discussed the night before.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Hotels were great! I just wish there had been air conditioning in the Siena hotel...it was very hot.

* Food:

We typically had to buy our own food! But it was cool to have the freedom to choose where we wanted to go.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt very much like a tourist...but I also don't speak any Italian, so I expected to feel that way.

* 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

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)

It was a little expensive if you chose to go out to different places every night. However, by utilizing grocery stores and convience stores it was very easy to purchase food and neccesities.

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? Only go out to dinner every so often. Every night is a bit excessive, and can add up!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The Attractions Visited
  • The Ease of Getting Everywhere
* What could be improved?
  • Hotels. (Air Conditioning is a must.)
  • More Down Time. (Some days were exhausting.)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How hot it was going to be. Rome was 110 degrees farenheight the day we were there...

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.