Florence was the best place to study abroad and I want to go back! Past Review
By Samantha S (Marketing., Providence College) - abroad from 01/21/2013 to 05/11/2013 with
Fairfield University: Florence - Semester or Year in Italy
I met a ton of people I will never forget and I know I will always keep in touch with them. I was able to experience the European lifestyle and will always remember the memories I have from studying abroad.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I liked my apartment and location, but other students in my program had nicer/larger apartments |
| * Food: |
It was Italy |
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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? |
Luckily, I had no health issues. |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe, but I did hear some bad stories that happened to other students. Mostly pick pocketing and stolen iphones |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
Living abroad in Europe was expensive with the exchange rate |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Do not eat out at restaurants so much, try cooking for yourself. |
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? | I took an intermediate Spanish class at college |
| 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? | Practice with your roommates and friends |
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 I would have the time of my life. I was a little nervous and apprehensive to leave my family and friends behind for 4 months, but I had such an amazing and enriching experience and am so happy I chose to study abroad. |
