Life Changing International Influential Year Abroad Past Review
By Annie T (University of South Carolina - Columbia) - abroad from 08/20/2011 to 05/10/2012 with
SAI Study Abroad: Florence - Apicius International Culinary School of Hospitality
I had the ability to surround myself with people from nations from all over the world. In those 9 short months, I learned so much more about myself and the hospitality industry than any textbook could have taught me. Getting out of my comfort zone and into the unknown I was able to grasp so many life skills that I would not have been able to back home.
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. |
I specialized in studying pastries and worked six days a week practicing the art. On top of that I took extra hospitality and art classes for my major back home. I worked hard! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
SAI was helpful during the move in process and the location of their facilities. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living in Florence for two semesters, I was able to discover what parts of the city I spent my most time. I enjoyed my apartment in the Fall and scouted out another near by for the Spring. I loved the apartments in Florence. They were small and had lots of stairs but full of so much character and culture and of course amazing views. |
| * Food: |
I studied Italian pasties and became very good friends with my classmates. I lived for the food! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I'm very thankful to have attended international school while at Apicius. My classmates were from all over the world: America, Brazil, Italy, Malaysia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Sweden etc. The international influence made my time in Italy much more enjoyable. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Respect the Italians and their way of life. |
| 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) |
Aperitivos are the best |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy from the local markets |
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 |
In my program, English was mostly everyone's second language and wanted to practive speaking that. |
| 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 |
| 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? | Practice dailiy |
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? | Nothing. I loved going into the experience as an empty book. |
