Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A great experience! Past Review

By (Neuroscience and Art, Trinity University) - abroad from 05/17/2013 to 06/21/2013 with

Studio Arts College International (SACI): Florence - SACI in Florence, Summer

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about how I want to live my life. The Italians live to be happy, while I feel that Americans frequently get caught up in being productive and efficient.

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.

Professors were all really engaging and helpful. The library was a fantastic resource for anything art-related.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The apartment was nice, but I had bed bugs. The administration was very helpful and arranged a couple fumigations but they were unsuccessful.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Florence is very tourist ridden at this time of the year and it was difficult to be truly integrated into the culture when I was constantly treated like a tourist.

* 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)

We made a lot of our own food at the apartment, which really cut down on costs for the week.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 70-90 euro per week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't buy a bunch of things the first couple weeks or months that you are there. Don't go out to eat all of the time if you're on a budget. Eating out is expensive.

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? none of italian
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? Just use it wherever possible.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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 people
  • The culture
  • The classes/instructors
* What could be improved?
  • probably something but I can't think of anything
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Not to pack so much! Ahg!

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Fresco Painting
Course Department:
Instructor: Mario
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Mario was a fantastic professor to have. Fresco painting is not widely taught and it was such a blessing to be taught by someone so knowledgable, experienced and understanding. He took us on many field trips around Florence to see some beautiful frescos. In the Late Spring term we completed 6 small frescos.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Beginning Photography
Course Department:
Instructor: Romeo DiLoreto
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Romeo was a great teacher. He was very patient and he pushed all of his students to try new techniques and become better. The class was well organized, with all levels of students in the class. He allowed us to design our own curriculum which I think worked much better than simple assignments.
Credit Transfer Issues: