Summer in Florence with ASA! Amazing, Short and Sweet! Past Review
By Mary M (Creative Writing, Florida State University) for
Academic Studies Abroad: Study Abroad in Florence, Italy
ASA was great and we got to do things that students in other programs did not. Just a tip, there are alot of Americans in Florence in the summer. I would choose a fall or spring term with ASA if I had the time to do that. 3 weeks was a short program, but what I got out of it was amazing! I might have also considered doing 2 summer terms back to back and stay longer like a couple of students from the ASA group did.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
FUA has an amazing list of courses to choose from! I took Italian language, but I met students taking travel writing, wine tasting, drawing, fashion design, baking, culture through food, design, history of the mafia and photography. I wanted to take all of those classes, because it was really amazing what they were learning even in such a short amount of time! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everyone was so helpful and very friendly. They were very encouraging to get involved with different activities in the evenings and to participate in additional excursions. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I walked to class every day and felt safe getting home at night, there some male students who lived close by and would walk home with us in the evening if we were out together. Otherwise, I took a taxi if it was late at night and I was going home alone. I only cooked once at the apartment and my flat mates never cooked, but we had everything we needed if we wanted to cook. It was just easier to go grab a pizza or some pasta (and GELATO!) around the corner. Plus ASA gave us meal tickets to use at the restaurant GANZO that is a part of the program and we would attend free aperitivo on some evenings. The mosquitos were really bad, so they have special devices called VAPE that plug into the outlets. Be sure your room has one and if not, just go buy one! It's worth it! |
| * Food: |
It's Italia! Yum! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We were really encouraged to participate in excursions and special events. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Mosquitos were the biggest complaint from all students, it is apparently a problem throughout the city and all the locals use VAPE. Bring some bug spray and insect bite cream and get a VAPE. |
| 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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
We were encouraged to use our language around the university buildings, I used my basic language in the city cafes and restaurants. I had never taken an Italian class previous to thsi one, but I did study with some language cd's prior to going to Florence. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | If you want a program that gives you a great program price and has friendly staff, go with ASA. |
