My time in Torino Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The difficulty level and amount of work required in the classes was on par with what I am used to here in the States. The course I took on the economics of the European Union is one of the best classes I have taken in my college career.

On-site administration of your program

Overall I think the program was good. However, I did have a few issues with it - most of which the program didn't have much control over. I didn't like my roommate or my apartment. All of the other students in my program either lived with more people in one apartment or lived in a building with multiple apartments with students from our program. I lived in an apartment with one other roommate (not the best match) and our apartment was a good 15 minute walk from any other apartment. It made things pretty lonely. I did not appreciate the response I got from a situation that was completely out of my control. I had booked a trip to Stockholm for a weekend. If things had gone according to plan I would not have missed any class. However, I found out a few days before the trip that the train system in Italy would be on strike when I was set to return, which meant that I would be missing classes if I were to go on the trip. I wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to go to Stockholm, and I wasn't just going to waste all that money (plane, hostel, etc.). So I went on the trip, and I ended up missing class, and I was penalized for it. So apart from some policies that I didn't agree with, and a poor living situation, I think the program was good.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Poor roommate match. Good location relative to school (walking distance), but poor location relative to the apartments of other students in the program. Poor location relative to the interesting parts of the city (30 min. bus ride)

I never ate on campus and either cooked for myself at home or ate out.....I love Italian food.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The trip to Genoa/Santa Margherita/Portofino was great. I also appreciated that they let us go on and do our own thing in the Cinque Terre for a few days.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never had any health issues and I always felt safe.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

The courses were great. I took the first level for a grade and I believe my Italian improved during that time. I did enroll in the second level, which was optional, as pass/fail. I did not attend every class session and did not pass the class because of that, but I still learned more Italian than I would have if I did not take the course. The school wasn't happy with me, but I don't regret my decision. Outside of the classroom was the problem. I do not believe that we were given the opportunity to interact with a lot of Italians at the school. If we were, we weren't forced to do it, which is what American students need. I would have preferred to have lived with at least one or two Italian students instead of my one American roommate. I think ended up learning more Italian than a lot of the other students in my program, but that is because I put forth the effort...I forced myself to engage Italians in conversation.

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• Apartment

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• Americans