La Bella Vita: Travels, Good Food, and Incredible Renaissance Beauty Past Review

By (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Fairfield University) - abroad from 01/27/2014 to 05/17/2014 with

Fairfield University: Florence - Semester or Year in Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Studying abroad in Florence changed me. I'm more confident, more relaxed, and more cultured.

Review Photos

Fairfield University: Florence - Semester or Year in Italy Photo Fairfield University: Florence - Semester or Year in Italy Photo Fairfield University: Florence - Semester or Year in Italy Photo Fairfield University: Florence - Semester or Year in Italy Photo Fairfield University: Florence - Semester or Year in Italy Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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?

My apartment was right on Via Martelli. I could see Florence's Duomo from my bedroom window. The location couldn't be better.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

While studying abroad, I participated in the Italian Family Club. I was matched with a local family in Florence and every week, they invited me to their home for a home cooked meal. The three children, all boys, were always full of energy. While the parents speak fantastic English, the boys only knew Italian - I needed to learn the language to talk to the boys. It was a fun learning experience as I learned Italian and they learned English!

* 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)

I spent about 15 euros on groceries each week. It's easy if you cook your own meals!

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 15-30 euros
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook your own meals, bring medicine from home, and haggle at the markets!

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? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Intermediate Latin
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 at the grocery store, the cafes, and with professors.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Living near the Duomo
  • Learning to cook
  • Traveling around Europe
* What could be improved?
  • A longer program
  • More cooking classes
  • Care packages from Italy after returning to the USA
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The Nutella tastes better in Italy then in the United States. So bring some home!!