Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Life changing Past Review

By (Benedictine College) - abroad from 09/02/2013 to 12/02/2013 with

Benedictine College: Florence - Semester Program in Florence, Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
totally worth it

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I thought I learned a lot, but I wish there would have been activities in the city to become better at Italian

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I loved staying in Settingano, Italy. Which was just outside of Florence.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The Villa was beautiful!

* Food:

it was all delicious!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There were a lot of tourists!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

One of our friends fractured her arm in Rome, it wasnt handled very well.

* Safety:

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? 2,500
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I would say to spend what you want because you may only have the experience once

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

During class!

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? intermediate
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? Get out and use it in the city!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Other
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
  • walking through the city
  • art, people, food, culture
* What could be improved?
  • nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? to travel even more!

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.