Ciao, Life Changing Study Abroad Experience!! Past Review
By Makenzie D (Heidelberg University) - abroad from 01/25/2012 to 05/11/2012 with
Study Abroad Programs in Italy
I learned so many life lessons, but I also learned that life is about experience, and one must travel and experience life rather then just learn about it!! My time abroad was one hundred percent worth it, and I would go back in a heartbeat and repeat every minute if I could!!!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Lorenzo de Medici |
| 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. |
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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? |
I did not feel as integrated into the local community as I had previously thought I would be. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
i did run into some safety issues, and would highly suggest not travelling alone at night. However, if you take the precautionary measures florence is both a beautiful, and safe city within reason. |
| 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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
There are ways to budget according to what you plan to do! But I highly suggest including a little bit of extra money:) |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | roughly 100$ |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | cook more from home:) saves money! |
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? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | none |
| 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? | the best way to practice the language is to try and communicate with locals, and force yourself out of your comfort zone (aka always trying to use english), practice makes perfect! :) |
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? | I wish I knew more about my home city I would be living in, as well as more about ways to plan and travel while abroad!! |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
