I would love to address some random thoughts about studying abroad in Italy!
* I initially chose Viterbo, Italy for the language immersion program. I was interested in many other countries, but I liked that the USAC program had a beginnning and intermediate level language program, a good fit for courses that would help my degree requirements, and that Viterbo was a small medieval walled city.
* I have definetly underestimated my ability to keep up with my intensive language course and 3 other upper level courses, and travel, and write my blog. My blog is part of my outreach project for a Benjamin A Gilman Scholarship I received from the U.S. State Department. It is harder to stay focused when there is extra stimuli, language and concept differences, a major change in your studying environment, and frankly, a huge difference in daily structure due to pausa pranza and the slower pace of life here.
* The 54 students in the USAC program are from all over the United States. Most did not know each other before they came to Italy. A few are here only for fun, but most have pretty strong goals. It is amazing to see and experience the life-long bonds that have formed while living here. I have truly made several life-long friends. Age is not much of a factor here. I have been included in many activities and gatherings and did not have much difficulty transitioning. Italians are really the only ones who have been surprised about my age and tend to, at first, not believe I am really a student.
* We have 4 USAC staff personnel who offer a fantastic support system to all of us. The program runs very smoothly and the curriculum and teachers are outstanding. Study abroad is not a cake walk! Everyone transitions to a foreign country differently and the staff offers help and advice to all the students. USAC has arranged all our housing, several group field trips, group phone discounts, visa assistance, etc.
* Technology here is different and can be stressful. My laptop has not been functioning for 10 days. There is no Best Buy or Geek Squad and so there is a frusterating delay in getting things fixed. You buy internet minutes per month. There is a wide disparity in internet cafes and free WiFi throughout Europe. There is only one store inside our small walled town where I can access a computer and I pay about a euro per hour. And my US flash drive doesn't work. Yikes!
* Fashion. Well! Shoes and boots are gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous! 5 inch stilletos...no problem! Tights, lingerie and ladies clothing stores abound.
* Travel by train is affordable and easy and can get you vitually anywhere you want. European trains run on a pretty consistent system. The language barrier can pose some problems and there is a pretty steep learning curve. You have alot of down/wait time. I do not have Friday classes which allows me longer weekends to travel.
* Safety - I have had only 2 situations where I felt uncomfortable traveling solo. Crime rates are lower than the U.S. There is a strange stereotype image of American females in Europe, so you do have to be smart (not necessarily cautious) when in a social setting.
* Italy is more diverse than I expected. There is an incredible amount of things to see and do. I will continue to blog about some of them even after I return to the States. And I WILL be returning to Italy.
*They love American music in Europe.
* What I miss: my kids, fall weather and firepits, clothes dryers, normal showers, drugstores, red meat.
*I have loved every second here. I am tempted to stay, but I need complete my degree back home! I am already considering plans to come back to Europe to work, teach English or do independent research through another scolarship program. La Dolce Vita!
