Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Amazing!!!! Past Review

By (University of Mississippi) - abroad from 01/23/2017 to 05/12/2017 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I was already independent, but I feel like I have grown even more. I learned so much about myself, and I could have only done that through study abroad.

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.

Not extremely difficult. Easy to understand the professors, and average academic work.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Very satisfies, after the heat was fixed. I took about two weeks to get that fixed.

* Food:

Love love love the food!!! I'm a foodie and italian is my favorite.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I did not feel very integrated with the local culture. My classes were all American students, so not very much interaction with the locals on that level.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I have to get allergy shots every three weeks, and I never had a problem. The english doctor SAI provided was great.

* Safety:

I felt very safe. However, I am aware of my surroundings, and know the limitations of night life. I never stayed out too late. My apartment was also right beside the US embassy so there was always security around.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

SAI was great! No major complications. Overall a wonderful experience.

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)

I could have easily lived on a student budget, but made the personal decision to eat out and travel a lot!

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? I created a personal budget based off the information on the SAI website. I looked into about how much I would be eating out, and were my trips would be. I did great staying within my budget because of the early planning. I actually came in under my estimated costs by a few hundred dollars.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

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?
  • I loved my classes. Food and Wine all the way!!
  • The travels, with class and without.
  • The friendships I gained.
* What could be improved?
  • More things with locals.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had been told to stay in Italy more! Also to apply for the SAI program sooner!

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.