A fantastic time for community building and self-reflection Past Review
By Anne Hickerson (Benedictine College) - abroad from 08/20/2015 to 11/11/2015 with
Benedictine College: Florence - Semester Program in Florence, Italy
I learned about other cultures and how they view american culture. I learned a lot about myself and what really matters to me. I learned how to navigate a city I don't know without internet on my phone and so so so much more.
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. |
it wasn't hard but it was engaging and applicable to our experiences |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
the staff at Villa Morgen was so friendly and helpful and made my time in Florence so wonderful |
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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? |
it was hard to be totally integrated with having so many english speaking people around |
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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
It was an amazing experience that I would highly recommend to everyone |
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 $125 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | buy groceries and make meals instead of eating out |
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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | none for italian, 3 years of high school spanish |
| 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? | to practice with each other |
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? | that there is an app for every city that have maps you can download and use without wifi |
