An Unforgettable Authentic Italian Experience Past Review
By Connor Hood (Oklahoma State University - Stillwater) - abroad from 02/01/2016 to 07/01/2016 with
University of Bologna: Bologna - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
The qualities I gained from this incredible experience are infinite in number. I continue to discover new great things I learned with each passing day since my return. Such an adventure is priceless.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
An absolute dream come true, providing an authentic Italian experience while attending the oldest established university in the history of the world. Bologna is not a city full of tourists and tourist traps like nearby Venice and Florence; instead it is brimming with bright students from across the globe and Bolognese residents with a great pride and affinity for their city. Out of this experience I was blessed with everything I had asked for and more. I will be visiting this beautiful city again and again for the rest of my life. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Bureaucratic, slow, and sometimes frustrating; Much like how the rest of Italy is administrated |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Went through the university's accommodation services and was not wholly satisfied; had a 30 minute commute to the city center |
| * Food: |
It's Italy |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Bologna is a very welcoming and diverse place; very social and dynamic atmosphere |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
As with any urban environment, there are dangers. Stick close to groups when navigating the city at night and you will be perfectly fine. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Bologna is undoubtedly the best place to achieve a higher education in Italy and arguably Europe as a whole. It provides each of its students with a chance to completely immerse themselves in a community full of culture and great vibes. Bologna leaves an ever lasting mark on all of its visitors, providing them all with a positively refreshed outlook on life. |
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) |
Groceries quite cheap; bars & clubs expensive |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Approx. $175 / week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Use monthly transportation passes; Cook at home |
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 |
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| 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? | None |
| 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? | Language learning software (DuoLingo, Rosetta Stone, etc), Italian media |
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?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Living within the city's medieval walls is imperative! |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
