Florence Fulfilled Past Review

By (Fashion Design, Syracuse University) - abroad from 01/25/2011 to 05/14/2011 with

Fairfield University: Florence - Semester or Year in Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned more about my own capacity for learning and self-reliance. I gained a lot of culinary knowledge. Also, my level of taste and style was elevated significantly.

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? No

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buying food at the local market and not the grocery stores saved me a lot of money.

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?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Every Monday I ate at the same soup place and became close with the women working there; they taught me conversational and relevant Italian.

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
  • International Students
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?
  • Food/Wine courses
  • Day trips around Tuscany
  • Knitwear I with Brenda Cechi
* What could be improved?
  • Better studio classes, sorted by skill level
  • Easier access to advisors
  • Course offerings
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish the level of studio and design classes was higher or more integrated with the city and local artists/designers. Had I known this I would have chosen a different abroad option from SAI.