An Unforgettable Adventure Past Review
By Julia Raines (University of Tulsa) - abroad from 01/26/2016 to 05/12/2016 with
ISA Study Abroad in Florence, Italy
I made Italian friends, learned Italian, visited 4 different countries, tried new foods, learned and experienced history, saw Renaissance and Classical art every day, and made memories I cannot replace. It was definitely worthwhile.
Review Photos
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? |
We had a pretty bad case of the bed bugs at one point (which one of our roommates brought with her), but ISA handled it very professionally. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I wish I had been in an Italian school instead of an international school, but since I didn't know Italian prior to getting there, this was the best option. |
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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
ISA was very personal, offered lots of extracurricular activities, were very concerned with the quality of our experience, and handled issues professionally. |
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) |
Because of excursions, souvenirs, and other travel-related cost, I spent way more than my budget. On one hand, those things are optional, but on the other, isn't traveling and experiencing your surroundings the whole point of going abroad? |
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? | Nothing |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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? | I wish I had memorized my debit card number, and I wish I had taken more Italian prior to going abroad. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
