<p>My daughter is double majoring in neuroscience and theater and wants to study abroad in the summer instead of during a semester due to her workload. She cannot decide between a program to London for theater or a program in General Studies to Perugia. Both are 6 weeks long this summer. They each have pros and cons and she is approaching her deadline and cannot make a decision. London would be intensive theater immersion with 26 plays/shows - her passion - but not much time for anything else and she doesn’t know anyone going. Perugia would be with a friend taking general studies courses that are completely different from what she’s studying during the year (food/art) with more free time to travel. She’ll get the same amount of credit for either, and she’s been to Italy once before for one week.<br>
Anyone have any thoughts she may not be considering?</p>
<p>Both great choices. Personally, I think not knowing anyone on a study abroad is a plus. I once spent three days seeing six plays in London and still remember it as a fabulous experience. (The other 12 I was actually doing research for my senior thesis!) So a bit of me leans towards that as long as she gets credit in her major. Not so much if she doesn’t. Italy though is also fabulous - a great place to visit. Easy to get around so that you can see the different areas which are all very different. It seems like two good choices.</p>
<p>As described, the London theater program sounds more focused and seminar-like. The Perugia program seems less academic and more like an excuse to travel for credit, unless she would actually be studying Italian immersively or something. Can she go to London for six weeks and then tack on a trip at the end before she comes home?</p>
<p>She’s in college and should choose the program that expands her learning. It doesn’t matter if she goes alone. She’ll meet people in the program. Not everyone will be there with a buddy.</p>
<p>The London program is through Duke (she doesn’t go to school there); the Perugia is through Arcadia at Umbria – any knowledge of either programs anybody?</p>
<p>I agree with mathmom and NJSue - I think not knowing anyone on a study abroad program is actually a plus. That said, both of these programs sound like good experiences.</p>
<p>She wouldn’t know anyone going on the London/drama trip, but she would be going with a high school friend from our home town if she goes on the Italy program. Some good and some bad for each program! Just wanted to see if anyone had any knowledge from their experiences that would help in the choice.</p>
<p>I’d go with her passion and pick London. It’s ok to not know anyone. My D just moved to a foreign (nonEnglish-speaking) country for a full year and didn’t know anyone there. Now she knows everybody, it seems!</p>