Florence: Growth and Excitement Past Review

By (Sociology., Providence College) for

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Florence, Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes, it was everything and more that I wanted it to be. More than anything, being abroad increased my self confidence which is most important to me.

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

loved my program, I liked that it was a small program. I wish the orientation was longer and their were more program wide activities where students could get to know each other.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Going to Siena for the day and the MY education events were fun and interesting

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I don't remember safety ever being a big issue and if kids needed health care they were told where they could find it.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? You just have to be aware of what you spend... even if that means making an excel spread sheet, it really helps to know how much you are spending. I cut back on drinks when I was out because that is where money really adds up.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

I did need to use a little bit of Italian in everyday interactions

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Someone who is ready to be independent... separate themselves from PC and PC students for a little bit. I loved it because it was small and I got to know everyone well.