Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A once in a lifetime experience Past Review

By (University of Hartford) - abroad from 08/28/2018 to 11/19/2018 with

University of Georgia: Studies Abroad Program in Cortona, Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Aside from the overwhelming amount of art history I have now acquired thanks to excursions and museum tours led by an extraordinary art historian, I feel as though I have grown as a person and as an artist. This trip has changed me for the better and widened my global perspective, so it was absolutely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I was at times overwhelmed with the amount of information presented to us, but in a good way. You can never learn too much about art, especially when you're in Italy.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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

I felt that living in Cortona was the type of Italian experience that I wanted; small, not very touristy, and very genuine. The town was a little secluded and at times it was difficult to travel outside of Cortona, however I would not have wanted to experience Italy in a big city like Florence where there is constant noise and constant tourism.

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)

Wish I saved more money in the beginning but I managed

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100-$150 depending on the week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? make a budget and try to stick with it

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Learning about/seeing art
  • food
  • meeting locals
* What could be improved?
  • mandatory Italian lesson would be nice
  • 8am classes everyday was kind of a bummer
  • maybe have mandatory dinner at a few different places instead of just toninos
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I really wish I took Italian lessons

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A 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.