Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best month of my life! Past Review

By (Visual Journalism, Illinois State University) - abroad from 05/30/2013 to 06/28/2013 with

Lorenzo de' Medici – Florence

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to be independent and more culturally aware. Studying abroad gave me the opportunity to see that the world has so much more to offer than what I had been used to.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was extremely satisfied after we moved apartments. The first apartment we were placed in was in an unsafe area of Florence and extremely far away from the center of the city. However, once we confronted LdM housing, they placed us in a new apartment with a much better location immediately and we were very pleased.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Florence is an extremely safe city as long as students are careful. Pickpocketing is the main concern in the city; students must always keep an eye on their personal belongings. I always held on to my purse while walking--especially through really touristy areas.

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

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? 300
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? It's impossible to not eat out in Florence because you want to experience all of the amazing restaurants and food--but my advice would be to make your own food for breakfast and lunch by grocery shopping & then going out for dinner.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • the people I went with
  • the views I saw
* What could be improved?
  • housing arrangements
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? n/a

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.