API (Academic Programs International): Florence - Lorenzo de'Medici - The Italian International Institute Photo

There's no place like home, but there sure isn't a place like "Flo"!

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:

Alexandra T. (Communication, University of Hartford) on February 28, 2011

Overall Rating

Personal Information

* Start Date: 2010-08-30
* End Date: 2010-12-18
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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

* Food:

Loved the food and the restaurant recommendations but again, we had to pay for our own meals.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Of course it's never smart to venture off alone in the middle of the night, but in my experience Florence was so incredibly safe... I felt a lot safer walking alone there than I am in my own home city I think.

* Home Institution Advising:

How well did University of Hartford 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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? The only thing that was in our minds but unavoidable was one, the exchange rate, and two the fees from the atms. Those two small things make the biggest of differences when it comes to your money.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

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  • Americans
* Who did you take classes 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? Do It!
* What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? Absolutely. People ask me this all the time, and I say that without a doubt that it was by far the best decision I've made so far.