A semester in Florence! January 31, 2024
By A student (Architecture, Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/28/2023 to 12/22/2023 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Florence
It was definitely worthwhile. I love the Middlebury friends that I made, and I love the connections I made with my host family. I definitely grew linguistically.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family is exactly what made this experience great. They were kind, supportive, and patient. They really wanted to take care of me, and they patiently spoke to me, which is where most of my language growth came from. |
| * Food: |
My host mom made great food for me! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
If I had traveled less, I could have integrated myself more. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have an experience with healthcare. |
| * Safety: |
Florence is a really safe city. It's well-adjusted to American students. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
My program was exactly what I needed it to be. |
Finances
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* 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) |
It was fine! I was frugal some weeks, and other weeks I wanted to spend more. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent about 30 per week on food. I spend a few hundred dollars for my weekends away, though. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Create a budget and keep it updated! That way you can keep track of your spending. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | ITAS 202 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Stay engaged with locals. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I feel like my questions were pretty well answered before I left! I don't think I encountered anything brand new there. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
