A summer isn't enough Past Review
By A student (Universidad de las Americas - Puebla / UDLAP) - abroad from 06/20/2016 to 06/16/2016 with
Study Abroad at SRISA: Accredited Summer - Fine Arts, Liberal Arts and Design
Of course. I learned to communicate in three different languages, including mimics.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It wasn't really intense, because it was a studio class. But because it is a studio class, i would have liked more time in the project studio installations to work, as one summer goes fast. |
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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? |
But it wasn't with SRISA, I rented outside the center of Florence. |
| * Food: |
Excellent. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The school has a lot of american students, but in my course i met a florentine girl and a sicilian boy who were incredible. I think, in general is difficult to approach to the italians, specially if you don't speak italian, but once you get to know them they're very funny and kind. (Outside srisa, of course.) |
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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
But I would not take it that seriously, I would try to get to know more the local culture and people , because I think, inside the school you can't really appreciate it. |
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) |
It is pretty expensive. It doesn´t seem expensive but when you do the maths, 1 euro = 22 pesos (aprox) In my case, I had breakfast and sometimes dinner at home so I could live with less/or $200 a week. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | around 70 euros. more if i bought personal expenses. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Yes! Don't buy gelattos near the center. If the small ones cost more than 1,80 euros.. don't. Unless they are worth it (like GROM or small stores with their icecreams covered). Also, try to eat at home once in a while (breakfast or dinner), it will help your budget. A good meal is ok, but in general a good focaccia of 4,50 euros will do. The one's in via neri are great. And, don't buy water, is too expensive, just fill up your bottles. Souvenirs? Up till the last week i would recommend. |
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 |
If you mean, Italian, well they always spoke to me in English, so I didn't really even tried to communicate in Italian. In English, mine was a little rusty, but it is okay. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | Try to understand and speak Italian, eventhough the florentines may not look at you in a good way, but better than nothing huh? English, you have at home. |
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, really. |
