Studying/Living Abroad

[xanis]

I know there have probably been a lot of threads about studying abroad, but I have some specific questions that I'm hoping people can answer.

Very recently, I learned of an awesome opportunity that is open to me.

I've always wanted to study abroad, but when I was adjusting to college and trying to study and focus on my work, figuring out how I could study abroad wasn't at the top of my list of things to do. Well now that I know the routine, I'm settled in, and I know what's what, I'm ready to start looking. I've always really wanted to go to Italy. The food, the culture, the land... everything about it appeals to me, and it's for those reasons that I want to go. Now, on to the good part. My cousin, who I am very close to, currently lives in Italy in Genoa, but will be moving into his new house in Florence in the next month or so. He owns his own business and told me that if I can find a study abroad program in Florence for the spring semester, I would be invited to live with him and work for him for the whole summer following the program. Obviously if I can do this, I definitely will.

Now, onto my questions:

-My university is small, and as such, does not have much in the way of study abroad programs. Are there any third parties that host study abroad? What about other universities?

- What can I expect in a study abroad program in terms of classes, people, languages, etc.?

- I'll most likely be taking Italian language classes, and my cousin said that he'll be teaching me. Is Italian relatively easy to learn and will I be able to pick it up quickly?

- What can I expect in terms of culture? (do's and don'ts)

- My cousin said that he would let me borrow his car if I needed it. I know I can get a IDP through AAA but should I even attempt to drive in Italy?

- What general advice do you have (on Italy, studying abroad, anything)?

I think that's it for now... if you think of anything else please let me know. Thanks!

 

[RESmonkey]

Studying a broad, or abroad? ")

 

[ElFenix]

other universities have study abroad programs and you can use them. the summer program i did during law school was through tulane university, and i didn't go there.

 

[xanis]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
other universities have study abroad programs and you can use them. the summer program i did during law school was through tulane university, and i didn't go there.

alright thanks, i'll have to look into that. anyone else?

 

[angry hampster]

Your university's study abroad office will have brochures and pamphlets for private organizations that run study abroad programs. If they don't have anything specifically for Florence, the will be able to hook you up with a school or program that does.

Classes are easy when you study abroad. Most register as pass/fail when you come back to your home university, so you've only got to get a passing grade to receive credit for it. I've been in Australia studying abroad for two months and really am quite a slacker now.

Definitely drive while abroad. Sure, Europe's got really good public transit, but sometimes a car is just convenient and easy.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

First go talk to your study abroad office, if you have one. Otherwise Google study abroad and there are a couple free companies that can help you out. Failing that start researching Universities in the area you want to be, apply to them independently, once accepted you can take a semester of leave from your current University.

Definitely bone up on your Italian before you go. Heck even during summer you could probably attend a language school which would be real good for learning the language, the courses usually only last about a month so you could even do it before your study commences. Although when going to a country where English is the frist language they might require you to have some comprehending of the language in order to get a Visa.

Cultural things you wont really learn until you actually living there so don't worry about those, just don't fit the bill as "loud american" and you should be fine.

As far as driving wait to see if you really even need to drive when you get there. Although might be good for weekend trips and such, but around the city or town you will be living you can probably get by without transport, or get a bike or scooter, I think Italians love scooters.

General advice, DO IT NOW while you can. I did a year and a half in New Zealand during my undergrad, and now am in Australia doing my masters. Studying overseas is one of the best and easiest ways to experience another culture from a local perspective. Although beware, you may never want to return to the US. As it stands now I'm looking at permanent residency soooo expatriotism here I come!

If you can get by without all of the American conveniences you will be fine, but if you need your Taco Bell, Bud Light and Football, then you wont survive. Your brother will be a good start, but also be sure to make plenty of local friends. It's easy to hang out with other Americans as it will make you feel more at home, but it wont be the same as local friends and you wont get as much out of your time abroad.

 

[jai6638]

What did you guys major in? I'm an Industrial Engineering major with a business minor and am not sure if there are courses I could take abroad that would fit my curriculum ( damn engineering! ). I am limited in my choice of study abroad options for 6 months. However, how did you guys manage to like go on study abroad for a year and a half?!! Liberal arts majors?

 

[angry hampster]

I'm an art (photography) and journalism double major, so I have a pretty broad selection of classes to choose from.

 

[xanis]

I'm majoring in Graphic Design and minoring in Photography, or at least that's the plan.

Thanks for the advice though. I think as far as the driving thing goes I'm going to just get the IDP. It's only $15 and if I don't need to drive then whatever, it was only $15.

It looks like some local universities (Temple, Arcadia, etc.) have some pretty good study abroad programs so I'm definitely going to start gathering information when I get back.

I'm pretty much good to go otherwise... so long as I have a good GPA and I can get letters of reccomendation from my professors I think I should be ok. The only other thing that I'm worried about is the credit transfer. Since my university runs their study abroad programs through other universities I'm a bit concerned about all of my credits transferring. I'd be willing to go a little longer, maybe an extra semester or some summer classes in order to graduate because I really want to do this. I'm going to talk to someone in the study abroad office when I get back.

Thanks for the help!

 

[George P Burdell]

One of my biggest regrets about college is that I couldn't plan my schedule around study abroad. Don't miss out on this opportunity.

 

[skim milk]

studying abroad in college... one of the best things you can ever do. I went away for one year (2 semesters) and it changed me forever.

I went through my university, but you can go through other universities to go study abroad... make sure the credits transfer, affordable, and all that good stuff

 

[Farang]

I spent half of my college years studying abroad (and will have a general studies degree to show for it). Yes there are third parties, I went through USAC both times mostly because the location and cheap price of their Thailand and India programs. Italy is going to be a bit pricey, but where I went it was actually cheaper to study abroad than to attend college at home (and I pay in-state tuition).


-My university is small, and as such, does not have much in the way of study abroad programs. Are there any third parties that host study abroad? What about other universities? yes as mentioned

- What can I expect in a study abroad program in terms of classes, people, languages, etc.?
classes depend on the program. My India program I did not attend once and got 4 As, in Thailand it was mostly a joke but depended on the professor. Most programs understand you're there to travel and will take it a bit easier on you, from what I've heard and experienced. Language isn't a problem as generally you're in an English-speaking area of the university and will therefore be around other locals who speak English and are taking those courses. People--study abroad programs in my experience are over 80% women and over 1/3 of the men are gay, so if you are a reasonably attractive straight male you'll do well. Students generally bond quickly but I highly recommend you do a program that is at least 3 months because anything shorter than that you're leaving right when you really get to know everybody

- I'll most likely be taking Italian language classes, and my cousin said that he'll be teaching me. Is Italian relatively easy to learn and will I be able to pick it up quickly?
I dunno but it has to be easier than Thai and I picked a lot of that up.. in my experience being forced to learn a language makes you pick it up quickly.

- What can I expect in terms of culture? (do's and don'ts)
There are a lot of little things but Europeans are basically the same as Americans and you'll learn it all within a couple weeks of just being there.

- My cousin said that he would let me borrow his car if I needed it. I know I can get a IDP through AAA but should I even attempt to drive in Italy?
i dunno

- What general advice do you have (on Italy, studying abroad, anything)?
do it

 

[Uppsala9496]

My university had classes as pass/fail. However if you passed, you got a "B" in a senior level class.

I studied at Uppsala University in Sweden for 2 years. Actually attended classes and took it serious the first year.
Second year I studied the inside of a pub and still got my B average.
Went to 2 classes my entire second year. Day one, and the last day. Still got 30 credits (full 15 hours per semester) of a B average in senior level classes.

Best 2 years of my life. I was very active socially when I was there and to this day still have friends that I visit on a regular basis (as a matter of fact, meeting up with one in Copenhagen in a few weeks).

I was the direct result of my university making a change in the exchange program. Students can only go for 2 semesters maximum now. And the lady that allowed me to stay a second year was fired over the decision.....

 

[Saint Michael]

Originally posted by: Uppsala9496
My university had classes as pass/fail. However if you passed, you got a "B" in a senior level class.

I studied at Uppsala University in Sweden for 2 years. Actually attended classes and took it serious the first year.
Second year I studied the inside of a pub and still got my B average.
Went to 2 classes my entire second year. Day one, and the last day. Still got 30 credits (full 15 hours per semester) of a B average in senior level classes.

Best 2 years of my life. I was very active socially when I was there and to this day still have friends that I visit on a regular basis (as a matter of fact, meeting up with one in Copenhagen in a few weeks).

I was the direct result of my university making a change in the exchange program. Students can only go for 2 semesters maximum now. And the lady that allowed me to stay a second year was fired over the decision.....

And you named yourself after your study abroad program... wow. Or did you just happen to be doing it when you signed up for ATOT?