Amazing experience for people of all interests. Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., University of Northern Iowa) - abroad from 06/02/2012 to 06/25/2012 with

University of Northern Iowa: Capstone in Southern Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Very worthwhile. I learned so much about ancient cultures and even new ones and how they evolved over time. I also learned about the environment and how societies can factor into the destruction of natural resources. Another thing I had the opportunity to do was go on an archeological dig, which summed up all of my knowledge I learned on the trip.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: University of Iowa
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* 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?

We had the chance to stay with Sicilian locals.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

A girl on our trip had a really bad sore throat and cold and our professor got one of his friends to take her to a hospital clinic in Palermo

* Safety:

Our professor stressed the buddy-system

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)

Rome was pretty expensive, plus we ate out a lot. Once we got to Sicily though things we a lot more affordable and our professor made us home meals.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Keep a check list of everything you buy and how much it costs and always know how much money you have in your account! Remember to tell your bank you are going abroad otherwise they will freeze your account.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
  • Apartment
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • diverse course material
  • in-depth hands on course work
  • Chad Heinel our professor
* What could be improved?
  • not so heavy on geology
  • the journal assignment should be more specific
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Knowing more phrases or words in Italian. It was very hard to order food or ask people questions if you were lost.