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API Florence Study Abroad Program immerses you in culture!

A Study Abroad Program Review of API (Academic Programs International): Florence - Lorenzo de'Medici - The Italian International Institute

Submitted by Krista Jamison (Studio Art,female,University of Southern Maine) on March 2nd, 2011

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Academics
Language
Housing & Food
Culture & Health
Final Opinion

Personal Information

Start Date:

Aug 31, 2010

End Date:

Dec 18, 2010

International exposure prior to program?

2 weeks-1 month

Academics Overall

**Overall educational experience:

**Comment:

The institution seemed pretty laid back. The work load was average, but the material was hands on and incorporated interesting teaching methods. We went on a lot of field trips and really were provided with plenty of travel opportunities throughout Florence and Italy. I felt like I received a great education not only in about Art, but also about the culture. I think some of the best differences were the teachers way of presenting material and not only provided us with information about the course but information about the Italian way of life. The teachers were extremely friendly and caring. It allowed for a great learning environment.

Course

**Course Title:

Florence Sketchbook

**Instructor:

Justin Thompson

**Language of Instruction:

English

**Please comment on the course:

This course was great! It allowed students to draw in different places and historical sites around the city. I felt like I got to see so much of the city just being in the class. The churches, museums, the sites, everything was fascinating and great inspiration for artists.

**Please rate the course overall:

Language Overall

Foreign language component?

Yes

**Comment:

The program provided plenty of free tutoring for Italian, also plenty of course options, including the required Beginning Italian course, which was very helpful.

Host Country Program Administration Overall

**On-site administration of your program:

**Please explain the program's strengths and weaknesses:

API was unbelievable. The staff was kind, generous and always willing to help the students. They provided us with travel opportunities, cultural events, and pretty much anything to get you immersed into the Italian lifestyle. We went on excursions to Rome, Venice,
Verona, Pisa, and Cinque Terre. The excursions included tours, free time, wine tastings, hotels, and even some of the meals. I felt totally free and able to explore each place. They gave us plenty of different opportunities never forcing you into something. We went to soccer games, cooking classes, social events. API was an unbelievable program. I enjoyed everything they provided us with and never felt pressured or unhappy with their way of presenting to us the Italian culture.

Housing Overall

Living arrangements? (all that apply):

Apartment

Who did you live with?

Americans

International Students

**Housing satisfaction:

**Comment:

The housing was the best part. The apartments were located right in the middle of Florence and in the middle of everything. My classes were right out the door as well as cafes, pizzerias and plenty of shops. The rooms inside were gorgeous. I was placed in a big apartment with 5 other girls and we had our very own terrace looking over parts of Florence, as well as our living room window having a direct view of the San Lorenzo Church and even views of the Duomo. I was able to walk everywhere and anywhere. Truly amazing.

Food Overall

**Food satisfaction:

**Comment:

The food in Italy is incomparable. The pasta dishes were unbelievable and so delicious. I also enjoyed the pizza, the sandwiches and red wine. Italy is your number one destination if your looking for a good meal.

Safety and Health Overall

**How well were health issues addressed through your program?

**Safety:

**Comment:

The program directors were great with provided us with health services. They were always on call, and constantly reminding us of the help provided here.

Money Overall

**How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

General Assessment Overall

Review Title:

API Florence Study Abroad Program immerses you in culture!

**Words of wisdom:

Studying abroad in Florence changed my life. I sit here writing about it 2 months after coming home and truly can't believe how much I still miss it. I was living the dream for those 3 and half months in Europe. I traveled to amazing new places all the way from Oktoberfest in Germany to Skiing in Interlaken Switzerland and everything in between. Not to mention the amount of travel and experience I gained just being in Italy. I could have imagined a better time then the one I had in Florence. It was the best thing that ever happen to me and I'm already looking forward to going back.

**If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same program?

Yes

**Overall satisfaction with your study abroad experience:

**Was your study abroad experience worthwhile?

My experience was more worthwhile that I could ever write to you. It is something I don't think it can easily be explained. Studying abroad opened my eyes and my heart. I understood the ideas and values of a different culture and gained so much more appreciation for the world outside of America. I already see myself going back to Europe to study and I can't wait to keep learning about this world and hope that whoever is reading this really considers taking the time to go abroad, because it is time for a lot of younger Americans to start opening their eyes.

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API Florence Study Abroad Program immerses you in culture!

A Study Abroad Program Review of API (Academic Programs International): Florence - Lorenzo de'Medici - The Italian International Institute

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