Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

To Torino and Beyond! Past Review

By (Economics., Texas A&M University - College Station) - abroad from 09/01/2014 to 12/18/2014 with

USAC Italy: Torino - International Business, Politics, Architecture, and Italian Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Many things, but what I really took from my experience was seeing what it was like to be a foreigner. Doing everyday things was more of a challenge and it was really great to be able to successfully communicate using a second language. Of course it was worthwhile!

Personal Information

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:

This depends where you decide to stop and eat and what you decide to cook at home.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Watch out for pitpocketers! If you keep your bags zipped and your belongings in your front pockets you'll be fine.

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)

The housing and utilities were more than I pay back home. The traveling, especially drained the bank.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 120 euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Plan your trips ahead of time! Get a Euro-Rail pass if you plan to travel by train, especially out of country.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
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? Elementary courses (101&102)
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? Get a language partner! Getting together every week for an hour or two to have a discussion in the foreign language really enhances speaking skills.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The city- Torino
  • The USAC Staff
  • The local culture
* What could be improved?
  • Internet
  • School Computers
  • Apartments- more kitchen supplies
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To save up ahead of time to have money to spend traveling.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Italian Cinema

Course Department: FILM
Instructor: Vincent Marsicano
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The teacher was very knowledgeable about the films, and the films did a great job of showing Italian History and culture, however the lack of discussion and lecture may seem under-stimulating to a person who has studied film.
Credit Transfer Issues: Not yet.
Course Name/Rating:

Understanding the Political and Economic Institutions of the European Union

Course Department: ECON
Instructor: Marcu Dastru
Instruction Language: English
Comments: The field trip to the European Commission and Parliament was great! Homework was minimal and the final paper and presentation were reasonable and covered what we learned in class. The instructor was very knowledgeable about the coursework.
Credit Transfer Issues: not yet.
Course Name/Rating:

Intermediate Italian I
Course Department: ITAL
Instructor: Chiara Giradotti
Instruction Language: Italian
Comments: If you've had one semester of Italian this is a good step up. But if you've had any more than that you're going to find this class to easy.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Intermediate Italian II
Course Department: ITAL
Instructor: Chiara Giradotti
Instruction Language: Italian
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Italian Conversation
Course Department: ITAL
Instructor: Simona Lai
Instruction Language: Italian
Comments: Very challenging and stimulating for someone who has lower level speaking and listening skills.
Credit Transfer Issues: