Italia with SAI Past Review

By (University of Arkansas - Fayetteville) - abroad from 01/26/2012 to 05/11/2012 with

SAI Study Abroad: Florence - Florence University of the Arts (FUA)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes, it was definitely worthwhile to go abroad and I recommend it to everyone!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Our on-site administration for SAI in Florence were available but consistently late to events and a bit disorganized. Their office was tiny and hard to find at first. Very nice people though.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My apartment was a good sized and I was overall pleased with my apartment and roommate situation.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I do not think health issues were ever addressed during the program.

* Safety:

I felt very safe in my apartment and in the city of Florence.

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)

My roommates and I cooked at our apartment on the week days so that was not very expensive at all. What was costly was the weekend trips/excusions.

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Plan weekend trips ahead of time and do not go out to eat all the time.

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? Beginner
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? 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? Take a basic language class before departure so you are knowledgeable with common phrases used.

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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Friendliness
  • All-inclusive
  • Multiple excursions
* What could be improved?
  • Organization
  • Punctuality
  • Communication
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have known that not all SAI students are located near one another but rather scattered through out the city.