Study abroad questions

Dave Muscato · #1 07-09-2008, 04:26 AM

Anyone here do this in college?
What prompted your choice?
Would you do it again if you could go back in time?
Any advice for someone considering it?
Where did you go, and why did you pick that country?
How important is it to know the language ahead of time?
Where did you live? What did you bring? What do you wish you'd brought with you? What do you wish you'd left at home?

Any other thoughts appreciated. I'm considering Rome, Italy for the 2009-2010 year (my junior year), since I have some friends there and my (extended) family is from Italy.

I'm taking a few classes part-time at the university right now, at age 24, but I have enough credits that I'm officially entering my sophomore year. I am on the fence about actually returning to school full-time, but I've gone ahead and signed up for a full schedule for this fall, since my band is not doing much these days (gas prices are killing us and we haven't even played a show in two months!).

I do not speak Italian, but I've had a few years of Spanish. I'm also considering BA, Argentina. My brother is fluent in Castellano and has spent some time there and in Salta and loved it.

Thanks,
Dave

moomoocajoo · #2 07-09-2008, 04:52 AM

If you can speak some spanish then italian isn't too much of a leap but it is obviously advised to learn a bit!

I'm studying in Germany next year! Can't wait. Need to brush up on my Deutsch though. Eek.

Dave Muscato · #3 07-09-2008, 05:25 AM

I can more-or-less read Italian, just from what I know of Spanish and Latin, but not well at all. There are three semesters between now and when I'm considering going, and at the school here, since they teach languages in 5-credit-hour blocks per semester, I could actually take Italian I, II, and III before I leave, if I wanted to do that (Italian I this coming fall, Italian II in the spring, and Italian III over the summer, then leave for Italy in fall '09). I'm not terribly worried about the language part, although obviously the more I know, the better.

I'm particularly interested in the whole process and people's experiences with doing this in general, and also details about cost, suggested course schedules (learn as much as I can in a structured setting? Take classes about Italian cooking, art, architecture, history? Or leave plenty of time for exploring on my own?), and suggestions for where to live (with a family/friends? In a dorm? In an apartment?), and just any other advice.

moomoocajoo · #4 07-09-2008, 05:49 AM

I've spoken to a few people on my course who have been out on exchanges and such and, for my course at least, the advice was: dont worry about the language too much (as you say) and don't worry *too* much about your work - the whole point of going on exchange is to meet new people, explore a new setting and see new cultures. Bottom line, enjoy yourself - there's always summer resits! Lol.

Of course this advice is more suited to my course as I will be studying abroad for only one semester so resitting isn't a big deal due to how everything is structured. I'm also luck in that most of the stuff is already organised for us.

But I think it's still relevant.

bmc · #5 07-09-2008, 06:06 AM

Go! Don't worry about the language. It won't be the problem you think it might be. Italy is great.

Our daughter starts third year university this September and will do a year in Norway starting in January with the summer in Uganda and the fall back in Norway. The program is in English. Never thought twice about the language thing.

Rome is two hours south of Tuscany where some stunning wine is made. Italy is the largest wine producing country in the world. Drinking Brunello's help you understand the locals. If you drink enough of it, you can sound like them.

GO FOR IT!

Dave Muscato · #6 07-09-2008, 10:07 AM

Oh, I know all about Italian wine. My last name is Muscato

I have a collection of some great brunellos I've put together over the years and I'm very much looking forward to expanding it if/when I go

DigMe · #7 07-09-2008, 10:17 AM

Absolutely do it. I even try to plant a little seed in my 4th graders brains about traveling and/or studying abroad in their futures. It's such an educational and eye-opening experience. We decided not to go abroad this summer for some specific reasons and I'm really missing it. We're taking some fun domestic trips though.

bc

zac2944 · #8 07-09-2008, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Muscato

Anyone here do this in college?
What prompted your choice?
Would you do it again if you could go back in time?
Any advice for someone considering it?
Where did you go, and why did you pick that country?
How important is it to know the language ahead of time?
Where did you live? What did you bring? What do you wish you'd brought with you? What do you wish you'd left at home?

I did an internship abroad; sort of like a study abroad I guess.

I would do it again. It cost me about $5000 after all was said and done and i was able to turn it into 4 college credits and one (1 of 5) internship requirement. I could have taken a vacation there for less, but now I could never justify such a trip. Working abroad was justifiable at the time.

Do it.

I went to Spain. It was the only internship abroad i could find in a Spanish speaking country, and I knew a little Spanish.

More important then people here lead me to believe. "oh don't worry, everyone there knows English." No, they don't.

I didn't bring anything more than some clothing, a camera, and cash. Traveling light is always best.