Best 4 Months of My Entire Life Past Review
By Monica Reno (Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/09/2017 to 04/27/2017 with
Syracuse University: Florence - Syracuse University in Florence
I learned so many things it is impossible to write it all here. Mainly I learned about Italian culture, and I also learned a lot of practical skills. I learned how to travel, how to be patient, how to be uncomfortable and love it. I learned a lot about myself, and I wouldn't trade this experience for the world.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The rigor was pretty high considering it was a study abroad program, but it wasn't as hard as my school back at home (hence the 4.5 stars). Syracuse had excellent resources with a full library right on campus. There was an emphasis on learning by experiencing, and I absolutely adored this about the program. In fact, that is one of the main reasons I chose the program. We were always out in the city during class times, learning about art history by seeing it with our own eyes, learning about Italian food by tasting it ourselves. It was very hands-on and I learned more than I have in any other semester at my home institution. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I didn't deal much with the administration at my school, but when I did the people were helpful and friendly. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Lived with a host family and it was a life-changing experience. My host mother is one of the best people I know. This aspect of the program seriously made my entire experience outstanding. My Italian was impeccable by the end of the program because of my host mother. I learned all about Italian culture in a way that I never could have living in a dorm/apartment. Seriously this was the best part of the program by far. |
| * Food: |
It was Italian food cooked by Italians. Nothing else needs to be said. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Extremely integrated due to the host family living situation. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't need access to healthcare, but if I had gotten sick it would have been very easy to get care. There was a doctor at our school twice a week to check on students. |
| * Safety: |
We received a full safety briefing at the start of the semester. It was comprehensive and helpful. Florence is an extremely safe city, however Italy had a huge problem with pick-pocketing. Besides that, my friends and I had no issues with safety despite the constant cat-calling which is commonplace and nonthreatening in Italy. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program was perfect for me in every way. I was able to learn all about Florence through my coursework, my host family, and my free time spent exploring the city. My classes were engaging and worthwhile, and the friends I made abroad are lifelong. Syracuse has a wonderful program which involves plenty of guidance but not too much hand-holding. I think this is the best study abroad program out there. |
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) |
This program provided very little financial support. I was fed dinner 5 nights a week and breakfast everyday, but I was otherwise on my own. I ended up spending a ton of money on lunches, dinners, and especially travelling on the weekends. It was ok because I am lucky enough to have saved a lot of money before this experience, but otherwise it would have been very difficult. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $300 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Start saving now. |
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 |
We had to speak Italian with our host families, and every student was required to take an Italian class. |
| 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? | Italian 202 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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? | That having a host family may seem intimidating but it is actually amazing and the best thing about this program. |
