Studying abroad was the best experience of my life Past Review
By Samantha W (Marketing., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 01/18/2014 to 05/09/2014 with
AIFS: Florence - Richmond in Florence and Internship Program
Learned about myself, other cultures, and how much more I want to travel
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Interesting classes |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff at Richmond is amazing!! They are so helpful and really made you feel at home |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had a great apartment in a great location. I got along with my roommates really well too. |
| * Food: |
The meal plan is amazing!!! We really got to experience the Italian culture while eating out at restaurants around Florence. Probably ate more than I needed to but it was delicious. |
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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? |
The staff made it easy to figure out how to call the doctors/directions |
| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I didn't spend that much on food during the week because of the meal plan. Spent $4,000 total abroad |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Work and earn money before you go |
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? | 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? | French AP |
| 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? | Take a class! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | I wish I could study abroad again |
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. |
