Amazing Past Review

By (communications, Illinois State University) - abroad from 01/29/2013 to 05/18/2013 with

Lorenzo de' Medici – Florence

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was worth it but it wasn't what I was imagining and it could be better.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The school facilities closed almost too early to get stuff done (printing and the library).

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were very helpful at LDM

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Illinois State put all Illinois State students together which made it hard to meet new people. Also I was put into a room with someone who was the complete opposite of me which made it hard to get along with. They obviously did not pay attention to the rooming surveys.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Florence is a very small and mostly tourist based town I felt like I didn't learn or experience as much as I thought I would or could.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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? 4,000 in total for the whole time
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Bring more than they tell you too. Try not to go out all the time to bars or dinner.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Try to use it wherever you are

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
  • Hotel
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • culture
* What could be improved?
  • housing
  • expectations
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? that I would have needed to bring more clothes than I was told to bring.