The most opportunity-filled months of your life. Past Review
By A student (Music Management, Fairfield University) - abroad from 08/26/2013 to 12/17/2013 with
Fairfield University: Florence - Semester or Year in Italy
It was totally worthwhile to see how people in Europe live. Also, I had the opportunities to travel to Ireland, England, Germany, and France as well- which I seized. I feel quite worldly now.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The work load in Florence was much lighter than I was used to at Fairfield. |
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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? |
Housing was directly in the city center. Fantastic views |
| * Food: |
Five stars for food. I ate Italian food out as much as possible. I would advise anyone who is studying abroad in Florence to save up a lot of money for eating out - it adds up, but is totally worth it! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated. Walk around the city as much as you can and don't sit indoors! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Florence is still a popular city, so you still have to remain careful, especially at night. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 30 euro, 50 dollars |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Split food with roommates! |
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 |
I spoke Italian and gained a pretty good level of fluency, but not because of the program. I had many friends who did not speak Italian at all, and they had gotten by just fine. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 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? | Watch YouTube videos prior to your semester abroad - Listen for key words, and start to figure things out. While abroad, use the language as much as you can, because you will not have the opportunity to do so back in the states!! |
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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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 when you study abroad, remember... it is not one simple trip that you are going to love every second of... Rather, it is a completely new environment in which you will be living. You are not a tourist while in your host country. You are at a temporary home. Make the best of it! |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
