SRISA was Fantastic, so was Florence Past Review

By (Warren Wilson College) - abroad from 01/15/2012 to 04/15/2012 with

Study Abroad at SRISA: Accredited Semester - Fine Arts, Liberal Arts and Design

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
What did i have to lose? It was most definitely worth it, most incredible experience I have had. To live in another country, and a place so rich in history and culture was surreal.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Best learning experience I have had, great size to work one on one with teachers and students

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Only because we had to make it, or pay for it!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

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)

much cheaper than Warren Wilson, but I had to budget out of my own pocket, which wasn't much to begin with

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? average $75 a week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? if your program/university doesn't have a cafeteria, make your own food and go to local markets...you will submerse yourself more into the culture and save on spendings by not going out to eat every day

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? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? highschool french, not helpful to say the least
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? maybe rosetta stone it before heading out, while your there go out to local places...the market, bars, cafe's...easiest way to catch on to a language for me was ordering food, or buying it...you gotta know your basics at least in order to do that

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

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
  • International Students
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?
  • the classes
  • the entire staff
  • the students
* What could be improved?
  • NAda
  • nada
  • naDA
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I could have saved more money before hand, and planned trips around the surrounding areas. I would have loved to visit more cities in Italy, but my funds were limited.