Benedictine College Florence Past Review
By Aidan Shaughnessy (Benedictine College) - abroad from 01/27/2015 to 05/01/2015 with
Benedictine College: Florence - Semester Program in Florence, Italy
I learned a lot about different cultures. I learned how to navigate foreign countries, and how unique and awesome all the different cultures of Europe are.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
We learned a lot about Italian history, the progression of art, and culture. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
We had a few difficulties with the Villa management, but other than that it went well. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Settignano is a beautiful place. It was nice to be outside the city, but also so close. |
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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: |
I never felt like I was in danger while I was at the Villa or roaming around Florence. The Milan train station had me scared a few times, but that was about it. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved my experience, and would do it again. |
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? | With traveling a lot, probably $100 - $150. Easily could have been less. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Drink before you go to the bars, and go to the local stores like COOP for food. |
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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | High school spanish |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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? | 10+ |
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? | You can find pretty much anything you need in Italy, don't pack very much. |
