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Student Experience

Check back soon to learn more about the student experience in Ferrara. To learn more about the student experience at other CIEE program locations, visit our Student Experience section.

Photos


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Student Stories

Planning for my year abroad, I never imagined I would discover a city as perfect as Ferrara. I vividly remember my first stroll in the piazza, during which I discovered a 15th century cathedral and a castle with a moat. It was love at first sight. I would consider Ferrara to be one of the few study abroad cities where a “true Italian” atmosphere exists, one that is difficult to find in larger or more touristy cities. In fact, every time I left Ferrara for the weekend, I longed to be back in the place I considered home.

It is the perfect city to meet Italians, eat amazing Italian food, learn Italian, and immerse yourself in the culture. The classes in English were very helpful in improving my knowledge of Italy, its history, and its culture, while the language classes were the perfect way to improve my Italian. I also got the amazing chance to live with an Italian family for the year. We grew extremely close and I would consider them to be a second family. For anyone looking to improve their Italian, experience the culture first-hand, and get to know Italians, I would highly recommend studying abroad in Ferrara.

— Danielle Christopher, University of Colorado at Boulder


Coming to Italy has been one of the best choices of my life. Staying for two semesters rather than just one was also a positive decision. Throughout the second semester I grasped the language and culture in ways not possible in a shorter month stay. My relationships with the Italians I had met in the first months deepened while I was more able to grasp the Italian mentality and what it means to live like an Italian.

While there are many Italian programs for international students, I am pleased that I chose Ferrara. By staying in a smaller city, I was able to get to know my host family while still being able to find ample opportunities for cultural life. Ferrara shows the juxtaposition of an antique Medieval-Renaissance city alongside the advances and conveniences of modernity. Thus, one was able to feel like they really were in a foreign country and at the same time, not have to change one’s lifestyle to an uncomfortable extent. Another aspect I really liked about Ferrara was how everything within the walls was either within walking or biking distance. One didn’t have to worry about driving from place to place when one could hop on a bike and be there almost as fast.

One of my favorite aspects about studying in Ferrara was living with a host family. Not only was I forced to practice my Italian everyday because my host parents didn’t speak English, but I was also able to take part in the Italian lifestyle and see how their mentality works, enriching my whole experience abroad. It is so easy when with other American students to fall into the comfort of speaking English, so living with a family helped counter-act that tendency, as did acquiring a tandem (language) partner and Italian friends. Not every moment with my host parents was easy, largely due to the language barrier, but it was an experience I wish any student abroad could share. Apart from disagreeing with my host mom about leaving the house with wet hair, I enjoyed spending time with my family. My host parents (my host dad especially) helped me to find parts of Ferrara and Italy that I would never have discovered on my own, while providing a background knowledge so that I might greater appreciate what I saw. My family was wonderful and I am really going to miss them a lot when I have to leave.

I won’t say it’s easy living in another country, but these have been some of the most enriching months of my life.

— Rachel Casoni, Cedarville University

Housing & Meals

Housing, in apartments or homestays, is included in the program fee. Limited homestay options, with two meals per day included, are located in and outside the city center. Living in a homestay is a great opportunity to experience how Italians live firsthand, but requires a commitment on the part of the student. Families that welcome American students in their home may be interested in U.S. culture and enjoy the opportunity to house foreign students and the possibility of cultural exchange that this offers. If you choose a homestay, you will have to adapt to another mentality, a different daily schedule, and new ways of dealing with day to day issues. CIEE cannot guarantee first choice housing placement.

Students staying in the apartments share a double room with another CIEE student, with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. The residence is located right in the center of town, a few minutes walk from the CIEE Study Center. Students have access to laundry facilities and wireless Internet. Meals at the residence are not included in the program fee and are the responsibility of the student. Meals may also be taken at University cafeterias, at restaurants throughout Ferrara, or prepared in the residence. CIEE gives advice on the purchase or rental of a bicycle and a cell phone for each student during their stay in Ferrara.

Internet

Computers are available for student use, free of charge, at the University of Ferrara‘s computer labs. Students are given a University of Ferrara email address. However, these labs have limited hours. Students are encouraged to bring a wireless-enabled laptop as they can access the Internet at the University and the CIEE Study Center. Internet connections are not guaranteed in homestays. Past students have purchased wireless keys which have resolved the issue where Internet is not available.

Updates from Abroad

Are you curious about how students spend their time abroad at a CIEE Study Center? There are so many exciting activities that we thought study abroad advisors - and you - would love to learn about, that we asked our Resident Directors to describe CIEE orientation, field trips, courses, and more. The information they send back is the best way to learn about on-site activities first-hand.

Click on the links below and see what you could be experiencing next semester!

Orientation, Spring 2009
End of Semester, Spring 2009
Orientation, Fall 2009
Orientation, Fall 2011

Orientation

Online Pre-Departure and On-Site Orientations
Students begin their study abroad experience in Ferrara before even leaving home—by participating in a CIEE Online Pre-Departure Orientation. Meeting with students online, the Resident Director shares information about the program and site, highlighting issues that alumni have said are important, and giving students time to ask any questions before leaving home. The online orientation allows students to connect with others in the group, reflect on what they want to get out of the program, and learn what others in the group would like to accomplish. The CIEE goal for the pre-departure orientation is simple: to help students understand more about the program and site, as well as their goals for the program, so that they arrive to the program well-informed and return home having made significant progress toward their goals.

Each semester begins with a mandatory three-day orientation session organized by CIEE resident staff. It includes an academic orientation, an introduction to Italian customs and culture, information on personal safety, and cultural activities throughout Ferrara. During this time, students begin their intensive Italian language instruction. Ongoing support is provided on an individual and group basis throughout the program.

Alumni

Students from the following institutions have participated in this program:

Albion College
Arizona State University, Tempe
Bard College
Brown University
Bryant University
California State Polytechnic-Pomona
Cedarville University
Claremont McKenna College
Colorado State University
Denison University
Drake University
Eastern Michigan University
Endicott College
George Washington University
Gustavus Adolphus College
Hood College
Hope College
Kenyon College
Lewis & Clark College
Meredith College
Mills College
Moravian College
Muhlenberg College
Occidental College
Oregon State University
Pace University, New York City
Pacific Lutheran University
Point Loma Nazarene University
Portland State University
Rhodes College
San Diego State University
Santa Clara University
Sarah Lawrence College
Seattle University
Siena College
St. Mary's College of Maryland
The Pennsylvania State University
The University of Texas at Austin
Transylvania University
Trinity University
University of Arizona
University of Colorado at Boulder
University of Colorado at Denver
University of Connecticut
University of Florida
University of La Verne
University of Michigan
University of Missouri-Columbia
University of Northern Colorado
University of Rhode Island
University of Scranton
University of St. Thomas, TX
University of the Pacific
University of Tulsa
University of Vermont
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Villanova University
Wake Forest University
Washington and Lee University
Washington State University
Wittenberg University
Wofford College

Evaluations

ACB Evaluation2005 ACB Evaluation
Following the principles and process set by the ACB, the evaluation report is made available once it is approved by the ACB. Program Evaluations happen about once every five years.
Student Evaluations 2011 Fall Student Evaluation2011 Spring Student Evaluation2010 Fall Student Evaluation2010 Spring Student Evaluations2009 Fall Student Evaluations2009 Spring Student Evaluation
CIEE began on-line student evaluations in spring 2003.