Finding my home May 18, 2022
By Jennifer K (Architecture, University of Hartford) - abroad from 02/02/2022 to 04/30/2022 with
International Studies Institute / ISI Florence
I felt as I found myself abroad and a life changing oppurtunity everyone should take. I haven's traveled much before hand and when thinking of places to go Florence was the top of my list. Its a small city with many things as in restaurants, clubs, and education all in one. The culture is extremely different in the best way. I see myself living in Italy after this experience and will apply to graduate programs soon!
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. |
Felt as I learned more in Florence than in the typical American classrooms. With the selected courses given by ISI and the architecture around Florence inspired me to learn outside of the classroom. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Pretty organized the day my class arrived to Florence it was planned accordingly. The housing office and any necessities were easily accessible. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was housed with girls that were in the same major as me and I'm appreciative for that. I know of girls who were housed with 10+ girls that had trouble washing their clothes and cleaning. I overall had a good experience. The location of my apartment was the perfect place, being near restaurants and in-between the two schools. |
| * Food: |
Absolutely life changing. I felt as when leaving I will never get the same quality food again for the price range. Italians take pride in their quality of food and integrate food into their culture. Within the different foods to eat within the day and time. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Everyone had to take an italian class at ISI, some of my friends who were at other programs had the option of not taking the class. I felt as it was extremely necessity to involve myself in the culture and be able to talk to locals and read public signs. I made many italian local friends by doing so and they showed me what it is like to be from there. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The first few weeeks I got injured resulting in missing school for two days because of my twisted ankle. The school contacted a doctor immediately and got an appointment that day. The healthcare that was provided allowed me a free visit, however, I didn't get any medication that really helped me. |
| * Safety: |
I feel more safe at night in Florence than in America! All the streets and alleys are lit up and never have I stumbled upon a dark alley. I casually went on a walk in the middle of the night or around 4am by myself and never felt endangered. There's always people out in the streets and that made me feel safer. However I was carried peppers spray with me and had earbuds in to ignore people who try to talk to me during those times. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
It was an amazing program that allowed me to meet many people. |
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) |
Around a 2. Florence is reletively cheap compared to our home university. We can buy a panino for 5 euros and in america it would cost 12 dollars. I also wanted to experience the food first hand and try different things. Meaning I went out to eat at least 3 times a week. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Find local restaurants instead of tourist traps. They end up cheaper and have better food sometimes. |
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 |
2, The program didn't enforce us to use the language in class which I'm thankful since it is based for international students. All the students who attended had to take an Italian course. |
| 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? | 2 |
| 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? | Find locals that can help you and become friends with them. There's a difference between textbook learning and casual reality speaking. I learned many things by listening to my friends. |
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? | 10+ |
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? | Plan out every weekend to a different country! And Budget |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
