Past Review
By Karine G (Management, Simmons College) for
API (Academic Programs International): Florence - Lorenzo de’ Medici – The Italian International Institute (LDM)
YES; I was able to find the passion of my life.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Fall 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes may not follow American standards of teaching, but the change is refreshing. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Florence API chapter includes 4 wonderful Italian ladies that are there to help you in any which way they can!!! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My apartment was on via Faenza, (same street on my school LdM) so it was usefull at daytime, but nighttime it wasnt the best place to be due to a pub down the street and gypsies having a good time. But as long as you are confident and dont mind the street noise at night; you will not come across any problems. Hang on tight to your purse!! |
| * Food: |
Commenting on food in Italy seems ridiculous, basically whatever you buy tastes good. The main market closes at 2 pm everyday and provides fresh food handpicked that day. Once you buy a vegetable or a fruit EAT IT THAT DAY because they will rot by next day: everything is fresh and natural, no chemicals people. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
API takes you on a great number of field trips that are all worth going to; especially Venice and Verona! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
API gives you insurance so I was all set, I got lucky and never had to see a doctor. But if you must, you pay the doctor then get reimbursed back in the states. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make sure you know that your not being ripped off at a tourist hotspot location. By walking a little outside of downtown you can find the same merchandise for much less, at a better environment. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Entering Italy I did not speak a word of Italian, but now I can understand basic conversations. |
Other Program Information
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Choose your classes smartly, once you get there, you may only switch out of ONE that you dont like. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Video Production 101 |
| Course Department: | CLDM-300L-182 |
| Instructor: | Sergio Del'olio, Stefano Alemano |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | The experience I took away from this class was wonderful. Watching Sergio and Stefano work together and teach an apparent passion in their life is priceless. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Yes; TAKE THIS CLASS!!! |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Web Design |
| Course Department: | GRAP-220N-182 |
| Instructor: | Ingrid Laminpaa |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | I did not have any background in web design, and I left the class with basic knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and Dreamweaver. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Italian 111 |
| Course Department: | ITAL-108L-182 |
| Instructor: | Silvia Nesi |
| Instruction Language: | Italian |
| Comments: | I looked forward to every class even though they were at 9:00 am. Silvia became one of my favorite teachers ever; I have never met another teacher more concerned about her students' well being. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | Yes; I would suggest to take Italian 111, which is at a beginner level but more accelerated, easy to keep up. |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Masters of Italian Cinema: Federico Fellini |
| Course Department: | COM -315L-182 |
| Instructor: | Markus Legner |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Wonderful course on a wonderful filmmaker. If you enjoy the Italian culture and Filmmaking, then take this class. Markus is a great teacher and will help you enter the fantastic world of Fellini. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Current Trends in Italian Cusine |
| Course Department: | HLTH-230L-182 |
| Instructor: | Annamaria Caccioli |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Overall not the most challenging, but I left the class with a good understanding of Italian cuisine history. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | NO. |
