Program Information

Florence, located in the renowned region of Tuscany, is situated on the banks of the Arno River, surrounded by the rolling hills of the Italian countryside. To study and live in Florence is to walk the streets of Dante, Brunelleschi, Giotto and many other contributors to the arts and humanities. Here students ... More

Provider: Academic Programs International (API)
Hosted at: Lorenzo de' Medici
Location(s): Florence, Italy
Year Founded: 1997
Website Take me there!

Review By:

Jessica R. (Biology/Art, Stanford University) on September 10, 2010

Overall Rating

Personal Information

* Start Date: 2009-12-01
* End Date: 2010-03-26
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The experience was amazing. Art museums and classes were incredible

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Large support system/group

* Housing:

beautiful architechture/history

* Food:

delicious, fresh food

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Multiple events and historical tours

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Was with friends at all times

* Home Institution Advising:

How well did Stanford University prepare and support you for your time abroad?

Finances

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

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Forced me to speak italian

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* If you could do it all over again, would you choose the same program? Yes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Take advantage of the native language being Italian instead of english. speak italian as much as possible. Try to avoid speaking English.
* What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? Definitely worthwhile. My Italian drastically improved