The Experience of a Lifetime!! Past Review
By Caleb C (Hospitality and Restaurant Administration, Missouri State University) - abroad from 12/27/2014 to 05/17/2014 with
SAI Study Abroad: Florence - Florence University of the Arts (FUA)
I gained insight into how the world actually is versus what we read about on the internet or see on TV. It's even more wonderful than we could imagine and this experience will stick with me for the rest of my life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
FUA offers beautiful academic facilities, interesting courses, and friendly professors who are extremely knowledgeable in their fields. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
SAI has a great team of staff that are always available to help and answer questions. They truly help to make your experience abroad the best it possibly can be. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
SAI placed me in a very nice apartment located near the historic city center of Florence. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Florence is a very safe city in general. My advice is treat it just like any other city in terms of safety. If you are going to walk anywhere at night, then travel in groups. |
| 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) |
Groceries are very cheap if you shop in the local markets. |
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 |
SAI regularly encouraged us to practice our Italian with the Florentine locals. They appreciate it when a visitor tries to speak their own language and will even help you. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | As soon as you learn something new in your Italian class, go out into the city and practice it with a local. They are more than willing to help you get comfortable with their language and further your fluency. |
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? | 10+ |
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 wish I would have known just how awful jetlag can really be. Going from America to Europe and vice-versa takes a tole on you. |
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.' |
