Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

An Excellent Art History Trip! Past Review

By (George Mason University) - abroad from 01/02/2015 to 01/18/2015 with

George Mason University: Florence - Renaissance Art in Florence

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I have been abroad before and everytime I come abroad, my life is changed somehow! It is an experience I hope all students/people can have in their lifetime.

Review Photos

George Mason University: Florence - Photo George Mason University: Florence - Photo George Mason University: Florence - Photo George Mason University: Florence - Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

This was a fast-paced, but not overwhelming, course about art and history in Florence from just before to just after the Renaissance. I learned so much when I was with Lisa. She educated us on each piece we looked at by telling us stories about the patrons, the piece, the artist(s), and the history. Rather than simply looking at a piece of art, we became immersed in its history for several minutes. She transported us for the present into the past.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Lisa was always available to her students.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

It's Italy and hard to find bad food!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Lisa helped those people who had colds.

* Safety:

A lot of police available.

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)

The Euro was low, so that helped a lot, but it was still a little expensive.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? €300
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Do aperitivos when you can. Order pizza and share.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
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?
  • Lisa's ability to make art history come alive for me
  • The location of the hotel was in the center of everything
  • Lisa was willing to help all students learn as much as they wanted to learn
* What could be improved?
  • include a 3-day weekend
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? to save a little more money and not to pack so much, I just didn't need 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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!