Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

YOLO Past Review

By (West Chester University of Pennsylvania) - abroad from 01/12/2015 to 05/02/2015 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Florence, Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained cultural knowledge and enjoyed being in places with locals compared to places with Americans. It was worthwhile but you have to make an effort to get away from what you are comfortable with.

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.

Italian teachers were engaging and overly nice and patient. Other classes were not organized well and many of the teachers teach at so many schools in Florence they cant recall what we did last class

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

CEA Florence staff were extremely welcoming and always available to ask questions.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Amazing location. Only complaints are because of gross roommates.

* Food:

Fresh and satisfying

* 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

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? 100 euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? buy fresh food and cook

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

sometimes it is just easier to say it in english

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
How many hours per day did you use the language?

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
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • my apartment location
* What could be improved?
  • penalties for students who are rude and lazy
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? A small amount of people come to study abroad knowing absolutely no one and the rest of the majority of people are already in some form of a clique and make no effort to try and get to know others.

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.