Type of housing: Apartment/House

Arranged by: Host university

If returning, I would choose: Apartment/House

Why? I would have preferred to have lived in the centre of the city because it was very difficult to go out on my own in the evenings; what with being a woman in Italy. Also the flats in town are more convenient when you have 6 hour breaks between lectures.

Personal comments:
Most of it is very very ancient!!!! There is the story of a ceiling falling in on a 12th century apartment...My own personal accomodation was a bit of a concrete block and by March it was infested by ants and massive bugs of an indescribable nature??? Sharing a room was quite trying and it meant coming to terms with not being able to have one's own space...which can encourage you to climb the walls.

Describe host city: Student life dominates the city

Activities: Takes place mostly within the university/student environment

Travel: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment

Nightlife: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment

Personal comments:
Don't reacall. There was a night club organizing events and parties for foreign students, each week different nationality, but i don't recall the name.

Course recommendations:
The level doesn't seem to change regardless of whether it's a 1st year or a third year course (or an 8th year??). The lecturers treat you like a piece of dung if they ever notice you at all and there seemed to be a great deal of animosity towards English speakers (especially non-American ones who don't pay huge amounts of money for support). Don't rely on the teaching staff to help you in any way and it is nigh on impossible to find anyone who can assist you with any academic questions you may have...in my opinion give up on trying to learn anything (you won't- maybe the meaning of the word bureaucracy) and have some serious fun!!!

Personal comments:
It would be nice if they could actually take the trouble to assign you to a supervisor who might actually know something about your course area or the differences between courses and assessment methods in your native country. Oral exams are normal in Italy and most British students are used to a written culture, some assistance would have been good to help us with the transition.

Language of instruction: Italian

Main source of funding:
Family

Other sources of funding:
An ERASMUS grant

Work opportunities:
I worked during my study abroad experience

Personal spending habits:
'cause the cost of living in Bologna is really expensive in comparison with my town

Travel, Nightlife, Overall, Housing: was more expensive than at home.

Food, Telephone: was the same price as at home.

I wish I had known...
the costs are terrible the problem of the italian administration: u will long queus at the postoffices or in any academic offices

In my opinion:
Everybody loved it, you will too!