Honestly the Most amazing experience of my life! Past Review
By Maggie B (Roger Williams University) - abroad from 01/10/2012 to 05/05/2012 with
International Studies Institute / ISI Florence
absolutely worth while. Words cant ever describe my experience. The people i met, the places i saw will never ever be forgotten
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 classes were tough! As long as you took notes well and listened and did not skip the classes, you did well |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They sometimes did not give you correct information, but other than that when you emailed them for questioned, the response was quick. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
i lived in Gino Capponi. The apartments were gorgeous and we loved the, However, the apartment was very far from the institute as well as other programs so getting to know people, as well as getting to class was difficult. Especially in the rain, at night or when you when I have a sprained foot like i did for a month |
| * Food: |
How could you not like the food. It was amazing!!! Grocery shopping at first was a little difficult and at first my roommates and I thought vegetable shortening was butte. EW! but we quickly learned. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt always integrated. From my own exploring, to class field trips the school took me on. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
When I was over in Italy i got strep once and sprained my foot and was in the hospital for that. I went to a walk in which was very simple and easy and they has me medicine right away. However the hospital experience was a little different. It was horrible! i did not have to pay for the hosipital visit the school insurance covered that. But no one spoke english at all! and i never knew what they were saying. They did not even have a translator. I feel as if someone from the institute should help to take you.The process was stressful |
| * Safety: |
always felt safe. Never travel, or walk alone 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) |
2. 5 i spent about 200 dollars a week on food. That being on groceries and a night out for dinner. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | about $300 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Yes dont put all your money in your account at once. Have your parents control it and slowly put money in. It helps you balance your amount and not spend it quickly. Such as booking all your trips at once and spending too much on eating and drinking. |
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 |
all the time! |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | none |
| 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? | just be open minded to it |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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? | how cold it was that i could wear all colors, not just neutrals to bring my own pillow! to bring my sneakers |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Italian |
| Course Department: | Italian |
| Instructor: | Enrico Cecconi |
| Instruction Language: | American/italian |
| Comments: | He By far was the most amazing professor i have EVER had. His humor and love for the language made us love it as well. He was very involved with his students, taking us on little adventures to communicate with people from the city. He as funny and always willing to help no matter what. He just truly showed he cares. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | no |
