inimitable Past Review
By grace.donnelly1 (Saint Josephs University) - abroad from 08/27/2012 to 12/15/2012 with
Florence University of The Arts: Florence - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Very worthwhile. Learned a lot about myself. Had many eye-opening experiences. Improved my independence, patience and understanding of others.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
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? |
Amazing. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Attended classes with only American students resulted in a more isolated and less immersed feeling than I had originally expected. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
Plenty of fresh food markets to buy cheap, yet great quality food. The number ranged from week to week, but was never too high. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy from open air markets |
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? | Third level French |
| 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? | Interacting and making friends with the locals is really only way to learn the language. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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 it really does fly by and every moment counts. Buy multiple memory cards and bring an external hard drive on your trip. My roommate accidentally deleted 900 pictures on her camera when we were in Paris. She now doesn't have any pictures of herself on top of the Eiffel Tower. |
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.' |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Pairing Food & Wine |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Massimo Coppetti |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Interesting and fun class. Excellent instructor. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
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