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CSULB Exchange: Ca' Foscari University of Venice : Testimonials (Venice)
The following program testimonial responses have been selected for publication by Center for International Education
Direct Exchange Evaluation
How did your classes differ from those you have taken at CSULB?
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To be clear, this is solely about my time at Venice International University. Classes were very similar to the ones at CSULB. For one they're all taught in English which is cool. The style of teaching is the same in that it's more engaging than the Italian system (just lecture, little student engagement). Attendance is mandatory and homework is given frequently. Luckily, the subjects themselves are what make it interesting. I also had very good teachers which was a plus. — Fall, 2013 Participant |
How did your classes differ from those you have taken at CSULB?
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Some classes were easier, equal to or or little less than the difficulty a Junior at CSULB would expect. Two of my classes were a more challenging, out of my major and not entirely interesting to me and therefore a bit of a bummer.
— Fall, 2013 Participant |
How did your classes differ from those you have taken at CSULB?
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The problem with teachers depends on the subject. Both my Italian teachers were amazing and I learned a lot from them. My other two teachers (both in American Literature) managed to have me question why I came to Italy to study American literature. The word of mouth on teachers is generally pretty good so don't let this put you off. I just happened to get one teacher whose only contribution to my life was making T.S. Eliot boring, while the other one needs to stick to literary criticism, rather than discouraging students from what they want to do in life. Exams are generally oral exams. AKA: you sit in front of the teacher in their office and they ask you questions job-interview style. Expect to start with a pre-memorized speech, followed by four-five more questions. Each exam should be anywhere from twenty minutes to an hour. The level of difficulty depends on your level of Italian language (Obviously Italian classes only). Aside from the language barrier, difficulty equals out to how much you expect to study, and how much you expect to go outside and walking around (as well as traveling around). The system is different in that you get an amazing amount of freedom that will either work to your benefit or kill all your grades. Attendance is not taken, and you don't really sign up for classes beforehand. You sign up for the exams, which happens at the end. The class schedule is however many times a week you go, then you get about two weeks off to "study for finals" (I use quotes because most exchange and erasmus students take the time to not study, but you really should). Then the first exam date is given. If you were to fail the test (18/30 is failing), then you are asked to come back in two weeks. If you fail again, or don't go -- this is an option -- then you come back at a much later date; If you fail or miss the second date during the Spring semester, you come back at the beginning of September, for example. It's strange to Americans and normal life to Italians. — Spring, 2013 Participant |
What was your housing like and how much did it cost you per month? How easy was it to arrange?
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I moved into my second apartment in September. I paid 335 euro/month (385 with utilities) for a single room one bridge from Campo S. Margherita. I luckily got it through a friend, but the Facebook page will suffice for finding housing.
— Fall, 2013 Participant |
What was your housing like and how much did it cost you per month? How easy was it to arrange?
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Shared apartment with 4 other international students. I paid 320euros a month and I had the best view and location out of all of my friends. It was very spacious as well, but I was sharing a room. It was quite easy through my university abroad's housing program.
— Fall, 2013 Participant |
What was your housing like and how much did it cost you per month? How easy was it to arrange?
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I was fortunate enough to live with Italians in a private apartment not organized by the school. I was unfortunate enough to live with Italians who spoke way too much English to me. I love them all, but my language skills should be better by now. I do, however, know an impressive amount of all the slangy swear words; so maybe it did work out in the end. My rent was 275 Euro a month, but then moved to a different apartment where the rent was 350 Euro. The first time it was a pain to set up, but once here I found so many ways to look for an apartment, more so than before I got here. bacheca.it The Facebook group looking for places: https://www.facebook.com/groups/23017758882/ Easystanza.it — Spring, 2013 Participant |
How much money per week did you spend on food? Transportation? Personal Expenses? Travel?
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I didn't spend much on the transportation as I admittedly didn't pay for vaporetto rides -- even for the 20 line to and from VIU. Nowadays, however, you really should obtain a imob card for boat rides. Long story short, they never used to check for tickets until the workers went on strike. So now they are. Personal expenses weren't too bad. Venice isn't crazy expensive if you figure out how to manage going out with groceries and outside travel. — Fall, 2013 Participant |
How much money per week did you spend on food? Transportation? Personal Expenses? Travel?
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Food-40-60 euros (I seldom ate out), 0 on transit (I risked a fine of about 50 euros) Personal expense- 20-40 euros, and travel 40-80 euros
— Fall, 2013 Participant |
How much money per week did you spend on food? Transportation? Personal Expenses? Travel?
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It depends on the person. I'm ballparking about 120 euro per week for groceries. Having some preconceived knowledge of cooking in a home kitchen will save you a long weekend trip's worth of cash. If you don't look into living with, or even knowing, some Italians. They've had basic cooking skills since they could pronounce "cibo," or "food" in Italian. Get good at basic sauces and pastas and take advantage of the Rialto market and their surprisingly decent-priced fish and produce. No one really goes to a restaurant unless it's for an ultra-special occasion. For trasportation, the only real expense anyone should spare is in a decent pair of shoes. The only form of public transportation is called a Vaporetto, a large bus-sized boat. The only time you should even consider paying the base fee, 7 euro one way (Going one stop is considered "one way"), is going to any of the surrounding islands (Burano, Murano, etc.) or going to Lido. If you're going to VIU, you are going to have to get an imob card: a monthly pass which should be around 30 euro a month. I never got one and chose to walk everywhere. — Spring, 2013 Participant |
What were your experiences with the language? Did you feel you had enough language preparation?
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I was fortunate enough to live with people who spoke both Italian and English. They often spoke Italian and dinners with friends were often in Italian as well. I really would recommend students have at least the four semesters under their belt. It's hard enough working around accent and slang, but people should be fine if they've been in Italian classes. I think I was prepared enough for living there. Certainly being around people who didn't speak English at all helped with my learning Italian.
— Fall, 2013 Participant |
What were your experiences with the language? Did you feel you had enough language preparation?
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Most people were very open to my attempts at another language, but I also lived in a tourist city where almost everyone spoke English. For this program, no additional courses are needed, I had only taken 100 A and B.
— Fall, 2013 Participant |
What were your experiences with the language? Did you feel you had enough language preparation?
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The frustrating part with language is when you try in Italian to Italians, and they come back with English. Most people speak English, but if you're here do yourself a favor and try to pick up some stuff. If you study Italian and you've gone as far as 201b, assuming you've done a decent B average throughout, it'll be a little shocking at first. Don't be afraid to ask what something is or how to say something. You're also going to mess up when speaking, especially on days when Italian is the last thing you want to speak -- at this point all shame should be forfeited at the airport terminal. This is why I recommend living with and/or meeting Italians. They'll help you polish your skills and help with listening, conversation, etc. In fact, try your best to meet as many non/less-speaking Europeans as possible. If you're cool with Europeans, you get to go to their country and stay for free and, in some cases, eat for free. No restaurant or tour guide will ever recreate whatever it is you saw on The Travel Channel. Some Americans are cool, but you get enough of them at home.
— Spring, 2013 Participant |