Expensive Way To Learn Just a Little Bit of Italian Past Review

By (Spanish, Cleveland State University) for

USAC Italy: Viterbo - Intensive Italian Language, History, and the Arts

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Of course I had a great time because I was in Italy. However, I had to spend so much money in order to go and I didn't learn very much (only the things I taught/practiced myself). I wish that I would've found my own school and studied abroad as an exchange student, living with a family, so that I truly could've made the most of it.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: La Universidad Internacional (Cuernavaca, Mexico) - FR, SO, JR years of college
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The courses had too many people in them and moved extremely slow. The only Italian that I know today is what I taught myself before I went. I was very disappointed in the program because I spent a lot of money to go there.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Even though I didn't like the program (compared to other study abroad programs), the faculty & staff was very nice.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I absolutely LOVED the girls I lived with, but I would've preferred to not live with another American because then English was the clear common language.

* Food:

I wasn't able to go out much but the food we bought at the store was fine (although it was expensive).

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I was able to travel a bit on my own and make the most of my experience in Viterbo. I had a good time but, because of the quality of the program, it certainly wasn't worth the money.

* 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? No

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Way too many people in Viterbo spoke English. Beyond that, it's a very small town and we were always surrounded by the 30 other Americans that we had come with which made it very difficult to practice.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I would suggest that the student look elsewhere because there are many other study abroad programs all over the world, in which students can pay a lot less money and actually be immersed in a language and culture.