Could not have picked a better program, thank you Arcadia! Past Review
By Molly McEwan (Ohio State University - Columbus) - abroad from 01/13/2016 to 05/13/2016 with
Arcadia: Florence - Accademia Italiana Florence
I learned more about myself, my passions, and my capabilities in these short 5 months than I have in my entire life. Being on your own in a new country not only helps you develop a new outlook on life, but also gives you a new sense of confidence that you may not have known that you had.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * 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: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
In comparison to all of the other programs that were available in Florence this program out did them all. We were treated as a priority and the people at the University did everything in their power to give us the absolute best experience that they could provide. I was very impressed with the amount of travel and day trips provided through Arcadia and I could not have made a better choice for a study abroad program. |
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? | About $100 because I wanted to treat myself to a good meal out at a restuarant at least once a week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be conscious about the money you are spending on a daily basis and plan out a budget for yourself. Remember to be smart and buy groceries/eat in during the week but make sure you are embracing the new culture you are living in and treat yourself to a great meal at a local restaurant on the weekends. |
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? | Intermediate |
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 would have known more about the other people in the program before I left. Maybe having an interactive online "get to know each other" would be great before jet-setting to a foreign place with people you've never met. |
