My home away from home Past Review

By (Psychology, University of Hartford) - abroad from 01/26/2015 to 05/15/2015 with

API (Academic Programs International): Florence - Lorenzo de’ Medici – The Italian International Institute (LDM)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned more about myself and the beauty of life

Review Photos

API (Academic Programs International): Florence - Lorenzo de’ Medici – The Italian International Institute (LDM) Photo API (Academic Programs International): Florence - Lorenzo de’ Medici – The Italian International Institute (LDM) Photo API (Academic Programs International): Florence - Lorenzo de’ Medici – The Italian International Institute (LDM) Photo API (Academic Programs International): Florence - Lorenzo de’ Medici – The Italian International Institute (LDM) Photo API (Academic Programs International): Florence - Lorenzo de’ Medici – The Italian International Institute (LDM) Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Very affordable and delicious!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Met many locals at the welcoming dinner

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt very comfortable walking around by myself

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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 including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 25
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't bring USD, use your debit cards

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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? n/a
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? meet locals, many would help teach you because they also want to learn english in return.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Traveling
  • Meeting locals and making new friends
  • The town
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How much you're going to miss the new life you started when studying abroad

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'