Eye Opening Past Review
By Nick P (Business Administration, University of the Pacific) for
USAC Italy: Torino - International Business, Politics, Architecture, and Italian Studies
I learned alot about myself and my capabilites as a person mentally and physically. It helped me stay confident with what I want to do for a living.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Overall, I feel as though I have been on an extended vacation and am very worried about how I will be able to come back to America and go to school at such a higher caliber level. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very helpful with any questions or concerns. I believe they know everything about the host country becaues they live here. The program size was a perfect size and all my expectations of studying abroad were met. I love this program and was very glad I chose USAC. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The apartment was very plain but cosy at the same time. It became my home and I am sad to leave. I brough my own sheets and pillows but there was a full kitchen set of plates, cups, silverware, etc. Also, the owner was extremely kind. He did not speak any english but was very nice. |
| * Food: |
The food in restaurants are very expensive but shopping at the supermarkets are the way to go. They are good quality food and very inexpensive. You can buy a huge pag of pasta for 1 euro and sauce for 3 euro. Once you figure out your surroundings, things become much easier. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The trip to Venice was amazing and also Verona. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Plain and simple, Torino is one of the safest places I have ever lived. I could walk alone at night at any time (12am-8am) and feel perfectly safe. |
| 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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent over $7,000 on my study abroad. I paid 300 euro a month for rent and around 80 euro on food. Traveling was the most expensive. I used Ryainair but still spent a lot of money traveling. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring more money than you think because if you want to travel, you will run out. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Marketing Management |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I would practice with teachers, tutors, students, and italian friends I made. Yes, I had to use Italian everyday to communicate because very few people in Torino speak English. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Someone who doesn't mind being alone and also spending time with others. There are times where it can be very boring but that is a part of life. |
