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

La Bella Vita a Firenze; the experience that'll last a lifetime

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:

Kristin Z. (Business Marketing, University of Hartford) on June 22, 2011

Overall Rating

Personal Information

* Start Date: 2011-01-23
* End Date: 2011-05-14
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

API Staff in Florence is so nice, caring, helpful, organized. I WAS ALWAYS IMPRESSED WITH THEM THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE SEMESTER!!!

* Housing:

* Food:

Rifrulo! It has the BEST apertivo and is filled with local Italians!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I would by fresh produce, cheese, and meats twice a week from their famous and awesome Mercato Centrale and it was a perfect way to budget.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Watch your Piccell bill it adds up!!!!!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
Language acquisition improvement?

teachers, locals,

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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 did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile? Yes. I am more independent, I became my own travel agent, I learned some Italian and now looking into minoring in Italian.