The Quintessential Italian Experience Past Review
By Paul Zink (University of Denver) - abroad from 08/26/2016 to 12/17/2016 with
Umbra Institute: Perugia - The Food and Sustainability Studies Program
I learned so many things about myself, while also learning to exist in a place that I am not used to. It was incredible, I wish I could rewind to August 2016 and do it again.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes were not exactly rigorous or intense, but the professors are very good and I learned an incredible amount of curriculum while there. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Umbra staff members are absolutely incredible; the help with any of your problems, academic, personal, or travel. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my apartment, and the housing staff was very helpful with the services they provided. |
| * Food: |
Come on, if you're thinking about going to Italy, Perugia IS the place to go. Incredible authentic food, for half the price compared to Florence or Rome. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Through Tandem, which is a program Umbra facilitates where Americans get to meet Italians, I got to practice Italian, plus get to know some of the Italian students in Perugia. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I wasn't sick at all while in Italy! |
| * Safety: |
I never did not feel safe; Perugia is such a quaint town, I walked home at 2:00am and felt totally fine. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Perugia was everything I wanted and more. It exceeded my expectations, and I want to do it again if I could! |
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) |
Perugia was very easy on the wallet; the restaurants are super cheap compared to bigger cities, and the grocery stores are cheaper than american prices. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 60 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Get a summer job or two to pay for abroad! The real money spending comes when traveling outside of Perugia. Getting to Fiumicino is a hassle and costs money. |
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 |
I took an Intensive Italian course, and attended Tandem once every two weeks. |
| 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? | I had no Italian language knowledge. |
| 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? | Speak to vendors! Try it out! Perugians are SO HAPPY to even just hear you try to speak the language! |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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? | I wish I knew where to spend my money while traveling outside of Perugia. |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
