An okay experience Past Review
By Katherine F (Barnard College) - abroad from 01/16/2012 to 05/11/2012 with
Sarah Lawrence in Florence
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Nonetheless, I still had a good experience. My Italian improved, and I had a great experience with my homestay family. It was worthwhile, however, in retrospect, I would have chosen a different Italian city.
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. |
There was actually too much work for a study abroad program. I feel like I spent too much time doing homework and not enough time taking advantage of Italy's wealth of cultural offerings, exploring the city, etc. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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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? |
No
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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) |
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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
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 |
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| 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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| 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? |
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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? | It wasn't so much that I didn't like the program, but that Florence is not a good place for a study abroad program. I learned after arriving that there are 7 tourists for every Florentine. While some Florentines were friendly and welcoming, many just assume that you're just another ignorant American tourist, and will respond to you in English even if you speak to them in perfect Italian. If you want a true cultural immersion, don't study abroad in Florence, but choose another city. I also wish I knew that the program barely made an effort to help us meet local students or citizens. They had Italian students greet us when we came, and had two "appertivos" where we met Italian students. That was it. |
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