The best experience of my life! Past Review
By Katie S (Interior Design., Harrington College of Design) - abroad from 05/21/2012 to 06/22/2012 with
SAI Study Abroad: Florence - Florence University of the Arts (FUA)
I learned that there is a whole world out there and I cannot wait to see the rest of it. I have made some of the best friends and miss the experience every single day.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Wonderful experience |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I didn't have much interaction with them |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The apartment was great, however, it was very from my classes |
| * Food: |
Delicious |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Somewhat, we were still treated like tourists even when we tried to speak the language |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Not sure, I wasn't affected |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe the entire time |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
Not very easy, it was an adjustment |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Around 200 per week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save money in advance, allow extra money in case you aren't used to the exchange rate or how much things cost in Europe |
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 |
Frequent encouragment |
| 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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Highschool, 3 years of Spanish |
| 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? | Use it on the local culture, but the the locals in Florence spoke more english to us |
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? |
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? | To save more money so I could do everything I wanted. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
