Esploriamo Firenze! Past Review
By A student () for
Syracuse University: Florence - Syracuse University in Florence
Definitely! I really really enjoyed my study abroad experience in Florence! I think that I definitely changed as a person and I feel as if I may have a new academic approach this coming fall as well. It was also an experience to live with a different family and eat different food, meet different people, and explore the city. I was really excited when I started to really understand what people were saying on the street!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I think that the educational system was not really so different because classes were conducted in English (aside from Italian) so there weren't really different grading or evaluation systems per say. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I think the program did an excellent job of managing support and accessibility. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host parents were great! They had 10 or more years of hosting experience and so my roommate and I were not exactly treated as guests but as members included in the larger context of the family. |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My art history class took many day trips and even a weekend trip to Urbino, Arezzo, Montepulciano, and Rimini. It was amazing to see the actual artwork and its context. |
|
* 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) |
|
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
While most of the students did speak English and there were many other study abroad students in Florence, I had the opportunity to speak in Italian with shopkeepers and my host family and their friends and family. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
Other Program Information
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I think it is very important to have an interest in the particular culture of the country, to accept the differences and enjoy the unique aspect of your current situation. I think students who are interesting in exploring and really getting to know their city/area/ country and culture will be rewarded with many insightful discoveries and unforgettable experiences. |
