Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Studying abroad was a fantastic life experience. Past Review

By (Benedict College) - abroad from 02/06/2014 to 05/27/2014 with

Benedictine College: Florence - Semester Program in Florence, Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained traveling abilities and leadership/teamwork skills. Personalities of different people really come out strong and clear when you're traveling. It was a good experience for me to be able to handle different people and their stress levels, along with my own. Things never go as planned when it comes to traveling, so it was always an interesting time.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

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:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

Although a study abroad program in Dublin would have been equally great, I don't think I would have been as ambitious to try out all the different cultures of the surrounding countries. Italy really is a diverse place and I'm happy to have tasted a lot of it's variety.

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? 70-90 euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't be all crazy 'spendy' with the first few weeks of gelato and wine. Make food the cheapest thing you spend on.

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? Two years of Spanish in high school
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Ask the fellow Europeans to not just give up and speak to you in English. Be patient with yourself and put yourself into more challenging situations. It'll happen inevitably!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
  • Apartment
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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?
  • The food. The freshness and the vibrant colors and flavors were GREAT.
  • The capabilities to simply hop on a train and be in an entirely different place!
  • The vastness of people that you meet. Not two people are alike in the world, and that fact become extra pronounced by all the varieties of culture.
* What could be improved?
  • Some of the professors could have been more demanding of our seriousness.
  • The time of the study abroad experience could have been longer.
  • There's nothing else to improve.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had had a better sense of savings and spending.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.