Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Stressful but fun April 23, 2021

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/10/2019 to 01/31/2020 with

Universita degli Studi di Firenze: Florence - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned about myself, solo travel and the Italian Culture

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was in a horrible homestay where the woman who lived there would go through and reorganize my things. She and her husband were always screaming and fighting. I was told that I was not allowed to leave the house or go get an aperitif with my friend even thought I was an adult and very responsible. I was talked down to, always interrupted when asked a question. The owners of the house were very racist and sexist. I cannot stress enough how much this housing put stress on my experience abroad.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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
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? Advanced
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? 0300
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
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?
  • Being in Florence
  • My internship at a winery
  • travel
* What could be improved?
  • communication between the school abroad and professors and administration at middlebury
  • academic advising
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't take economia aziendale

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

economia aziendale
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Letteratura Italiana
Course Department:
Instructor: Igiaba Scego
Instruction Language:
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Tironcinio alla fattoria san michelle a torri
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: