I am a 27 year old navy veteran and junior at the University of Kansas and completed my study abroad in Milan, Italy in the spring of 2017. I chose to do study abroad honestly because my cousin was getting married there and I was a bridesmaid. I kind of figured why not? I'd always wanted to do study abroad so why not Italy? This was a mistake, I ended up disliking Milan. Now, I realize I'm probably the only person in history to say that they hated somewhere in Italy, but I did. While I ended up having an incredible time, experiencing life changing moments and meeting amazing people my host city wasn't the right fit for me. So please understand how important location is!
OK! The total cost of my program was $19,710 and with the VA paying for my tuition which was around $9000. I had to come up with the additional $10k and I did so completely through scholarship and financial aid, I received the Gilman scholarship, Horner scholarship and the OSA scholarship and a pell grant totaling $12,918. I lived in Milan from January 28th until June 6th 2017. I lived in a beautiful Italian apartment with 3 roommates, all American girls. Before the semester started we had the classic orientation course and campus tour and then took a 2 week intensive language course. After that classes begun and were for the most part lackluster and disorganized, except for one. But after class on the weekends I was able to travel, on the right I've listed all of the places I traveled to while abroad. I spent most of my time in Milan drinking wine on the terrace of our apartment, gorging myself on gelato, picnicking in the park with some friends or enjoying a classic aperitif (after work cocktail and appetizers). I sang Irish songs in Galway I ate my way through Naples I climbed mountains in Skye I fell in love with highland cows in Scotland I got henna in Marrakesh I learned how to drive on the opposite side of the road in Ireland I enjoyed Gothic architecture in Prague I swam in Croatia's most beautiful oceans I visited Hogwarts in London I saw the Pope in Milan |
Countries Visited!
"I had a fantastic time studying abroad in Italy which I had postponed until the last semester of my bachelor program. I turned 25 while I was there and hung out with people that were both several years younger and older. I found it liberating that age or social hierarchy wasn't something we spoke about, everyone was equal. I imagine that would be something very positive for the younger students coming almost straight from high school" - Sara Giordano, University of Malardalen
|
Cities/Towns Visited!
|