Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

One of my favorite experiences of my life! Past Review

By (Benedictine College) - abroad from 02/01/2011 to 04/20/2011 with

Benedictine College: Florence - Semester Program in Florence, Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained so much knowledge of the culture and how to adapt in another country and travel abroad. The knowledge I gained from that is invaluable. I learned a lot about myself as well.

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:

* 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

I had always thought I would want to study abroad in Rome but I quickly learned how much I loved studying abroad in Florence. It was the best place to be. We got to spend time in Rome but to spend most of our semester in Florence was perfect because it wasn't too busy and crazy and you didn't feel unsafe but it still have that great Italian study abroad experience.

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? $200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save as much money before you go as possible so you have enough money to travel and get things. Overall I probably spent at least $1,500 and maybe more on traveling, food, souvenirs and such.

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? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* 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?
  • Living in the hills overlooking Florence
  • Traveling with the programs and on the weeks with people from the group
  • The people we were with
* What could be improved?
  • Class offerings
  • More locations
  • Longer program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had done more planning for the weekend trips. I didn't get to make it everywhere I wanted to go in part to now traveling before or after the program but also I didn't plan a lot of my trips. Most of my trips were planned by someone else in the group and because of that I didn't get to go everywhere I wanted too.