ASA made my study abroad experience comfortable and thus incredible! Past Review
By Michaela Vivian (University of New Hampshire) - abroad from 01/21/2018 to 05/10/2018 with
Academic Studies Abroad: Study Abroad in Florence, Italy
I learned I am very capable of doing and accomplishing anything I can put my mind too.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
ASA's Florence program was an amazing experience. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and always felt supported and never alone even though I was miles away from my friends and loved ones. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The on-site administration of ASA's Florence program are amazing. They make you feel right at home and always make themselves available for you whatever you need from just chatting to support for homesickness and everything in between. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My living arrangements were satisfactory. Some other students had nicer apartments but overall it was a warm bed to sleep in. |
| * Food: |
The food in Florence is AMAZING. You will not eat better pasta and gelato or drink better wine and cappuccinos anywhere else. I STILL dream about the food 6 months later. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Florence was easy to adapt too because everyone speaks English. Also, every is super friendly and speaking just one or two words of Italian go a long way. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never had to use the health care provided but it was nice to know it was there if I ever needed it. |
| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe in Florence. We got updates on current happenings and possible threats so I knew what to avoid if needed. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
ASA provided so many benefits. I am a homebody so I was very afraid I would become very homesick but I never felt homesick and sometimes feel homesick for Italy! |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent $8,000 while I was abroad but I am definitely a heavy spender. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save as much as you can as early as you can. It is never too early to start saving. Also, know your spending habits. If you know you usually splurge a lot, bring more than you think because you definitely do not want to run out of 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? | Beginner |
| 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? | Download different language apps and do a little everyday. It goes a long way to reduce homesickness and feel more apart of the culture. |
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? | Go in without expectations and just live in the moment of every minute of every day you are there because its over in a flash. |
