Unibo Feedback (Student 01)

My experience in Bologna was a time of personal growth, academic and linguistic challenge, and overall inspiration, joy, and wonder. As an Italian Studies major, language immersion was a priority for me. The opportunity to live with an Italian student as well as take three courses at the University of Bologna was immensely beneficial. The classes at UniBo allowed me to get a closer and more firsthand look at the life of real Italian students as well as greatly improve my Italian speaking, listening, reading, and comprehension skills.

The UniBo classes were a challenge. I had to adjust to a completely new style of teaching, classes filled with 100+ students, organize my readings independently, write an extensive final essay, and take final oral and written exams in Italian. The weekly supplementary tutoring sessions at the Dickinson Center (USP) were an immense help. We were advised how to structure our workload and study for the UniBo exams. Even if I was in a new academic environment, the guidance and support from those at the Dickinson Center made the coursework seem more manageable.

Overall, I am satisfied and proud of my decision to take three courses at UniBo and am extremely happy with my experience in Bologna. I connected with Italian students and learned to question, analyze, and decipher philosophical, historical, and linguistic Italian topics in ways that otherwise would not have been possible taking courses only at the Dickinson Center. Studying in Bologna has instilled me with the global perspective, skill set, confidence, and sense of purpose necessary to confront my future beyond Dickinson.