Fun in Florence Past Review
By Haley O (Accounting, Bryant University) for
API (Academic Programs International): Florence - Lorenzo de’ Medici – The Italian International Institute (LDM)
I learned to open up more than I have before and I also learned how to adjust to living in a new place and without some of the normal things I would have at home.
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. |
Some of the teachers graded similarly to Bryant professors, other much easier. The workload is a little bit lighter than Bryant because things are spread out, but exams were all in the same week for every class. Most of the classes were lecture style using powerpoints. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My program providers were very helpful and were available whenever I needed them for the most part. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
At some restaurants the portions are very small, others are normal. It is better to stick to the less expensive restaurants because they normally have larger quantity and are still very good. You need to look for the places on side streets and away from tourist areas to get the best food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My program arranged for us to go to Pisa, Cinque Terre, Bologna, Venice, Verona, and Rome. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
There really were not many safety issues, just if you are using a bag make sure it is zippered at all times and try not to walk around at night by yourself. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
To improve language skills you should talk to people in that language, but most people spoke English very well. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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 would tell someone that this is the best program to choose in Florence because I talked to people in other programs and their programs did not offer as much as API. They were also very helpful and planned a lot of things for us so it was a good experience overall. |
