Stay away from ISA! Past Review

By (Communications, University of Wyoming) - abroad from 01/07/2013 to 05/11/2013 with

ISA Study Abroad in Florence, Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Traveling europe was fantastic.

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.

The courses here were insanely easy and were comparable to high school courses in many aspects such as test format.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The abroad staff treated us like children, not 20 something year old young adults. We were frequently called in to mini meeting at the ISA office in which we were expected to talk about our feelings.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Apartments were mold infested, unsanitary, and extremely small. Problems would be left unfixed for weeks. The only positive was accessible locations.

* Food:

Italian food is fantastic. The food at ganzo was great.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

The city is safe.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

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? None
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Study in Rome.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Travel
  • Italian Food
  • City life
* What could be improved?
  • Better housing
  • a more competent ISA staff
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known to stay away from ISA.

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 Urbanite
A 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.