Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An absolutely incredible experience that you get credit for! Past Review

By (University of Northern Iowa) - abroad from 05/11/2012 to 05/29/2012 with

University of Northern Iowa: Traveling - UNI Cross-Cultural Capstone in Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was my first time abroad, so I learned a lot on this trip. I learned about the Italian culture, which made me realize some things about our own culture. Also, I learned that I cannot wait to travel again! This experience was definitely worthwhile!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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?

For the most part, the hostels we stayed in were quite nice. Florence's hostel was my favorite! I would, however, recommend staying in a different place in Venice.

* Food:

I'm pretty sure I ate pizza or pasta for as many meals as I could; we were in Italy after all! Everything was delicious!

* 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

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)

I was actually able to stay under what I had budgeted pretty easily, which was great.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
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? Apply for scholarships! I would also suggest bringing food of your own, that you can have for breakfasts or snacks.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hostel
* 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?
  • I loved being given the opportunity to explore! Italy has so much to be experienced.
* What could be improved?
  • I would have liked if we had more tour guides. For some of the places, I didn't really know what I was looking at.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have bought a travel book and a travel journal to bring on the trip with me. I would have been able to know more about the places we went to, and would have been able to record our experiences much easier.