Italia Spring 2016 Past Review
By Kate Kieu (University of Tulsa) - abroad from 01/11/2016 to 05/14/2016 with
USAC Italy: Torino - International Business, Politics, Architecture, and Italian Studies
I learned how to navigate without a GPS abroad and how to openly communicate with strangers while facing a language barrier. It was definitely worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The on-site administration didn't show much concern for their students and the housing director could at times be rude. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The healthcare was easily accessible since there is a doctor connected to the local university. My program had provided numbers and locations for other doctors if the "school" doctor was unaccessible. |
| * Safety: |
Torino was relatively safe but pickpockets were common. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The reason why I would choose the same program is the variety of new students within the program. I also fell in love with the charm of the host city. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $250 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Thoroughly research any and all options when wanting to travel within and outside of the country. Recommend Air BnB to individuals that haven't booked with them before and the both of you receive credit to apply for the next booking. |
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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Beginner II Chinese and French |
| 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? | Speak to locals. Utilize the language at any opportunity you get even if it's a small one. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | Before going on this program I wish I knew about the extra fees and time that went into obtaining an Italian residency permit. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
