3 weeks in Firenze Past Review
By Andrew H (History/Secondary Education, Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville) for
Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville (SIUE): Florence - History Program in Italy
Going to Italy to study history gives you a perspective that cannot be gained in the classroom. You can look at a picture taken from the lantern of the Duomo and think it's cool, or you can climb the 463 steps to the top and have your breath taken away by the view. When you go to Santa Croce and see the tombs of Galileo, Michelangelo, and Machiavelli, you realize their impact on world culture. It is something that cannot be conveyed through a textbook or even the best professor. This experience will inspire you to learn and question events and people.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The trip was very busy but a good kind of busy. We were always on the move seeing a ton of amazing sights that we had only seen in books. Dr. Frick, being the expert she is, never failed to either have an answer for us or assist us in finding an answer. While there was no assessment while there, we were constantly learning. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
SRISA has some great people, but their facility left something to be desired. We were told that we would have internet access, which we did, but when 5 people would get online, their router would crash. Also, there were times when they were unclear about their programs and costs. Thank goodness for Marta!!! She is by far the best employee they have. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing was great! We had a two bed, two bath apartment with a full kitchen and living room, right in the heart of the San Lorenzo neighborhood of Florence. Everything was within a ten minute walk or a ten minute bus ride. San Lorenzo marketplace and the Mercato Centrale were minutes from the apartment, and Santa Maria Novella train station was a block away. |
| * Food: |
Go to the Cuccilo on Via del Corso near the Duomo....great panini and pastries. Also, there is an alley next to it near Dante Allegeri's old home and in that alley is a window where you can get a special sandwich...it is delicious. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
For the most part, the Italians are very nice and willing to assist. The older ones won't know much English so as long as you have a phrase book you should be ok. They will be happy to help as long as you make the effort to meet them halfway. Also, be sure to have small bills when buying cheap products like lattes and pastries...If you try to pay for a cappuccino with a euro 20 bill, you'll hear a lot of Italian words that you wont know but will certainly understand. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
You will read that pickpocketing is prevalent, but Florence is actually pretty safe. There are Polizia and Carrabinari everywhere so you won't have to worry much about crime, just gypsies. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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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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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Make sure to allocate plenty of funds that are easily accessible via an ATM...the exchange rate an fees will kill your cash in a hurry, so be careful. Also, lunch is cheap...paninis can cost as little as euro 2.50 and bottled water is usual around euro .50. For dinners, go to the supermarcato and buy food for your apartment. We took turns cooking each other dinner and did so on the cheap while having great, cheap food. Supermercatos are super inexpensive, while restaurants can get pretty pricey. Also, take advantage of that museum card. It gets you into a TON of museums and exhibits for free or for a reduced fee. Lastly, take some time to just walk around...take it slow. Grab a gelato and sit and people watch in the Piazza del Duomo or go to Cafe Deluxee at the corner of Via Nazionale and Via XXVII Aprille...and say hi to Sam and Alejandro for us! |
