Florence - worth leaving home. Past Review
By Yulia P (History, Society and Culture, Colby-Sawyer College) for
AIFS: Florence - Richmond in Florence and Internship Program
I learned a lot here about myself and the world; I matured, and since this isn't my first study abroad experience, I also came to the conclusion that I will never be able to truly settle down in life. My home is the world - and I'm looking forward for more opportunities to explore it.
Review Photos
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. |
The workload was smaller than what I had on campus, as in less homework, but the learning experience was no less great. Overall, the differences between American and Italian educational systems aren't all that big, its the cultural differences that make you see the distinctions. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program runs for too short. That is its only weakness. No but seriously... However, I think there should have been something done to help us find friends among locals - if the program could organize an event with young Italians of our age at least at the beginning of the semester that would definitely positively influence the trip. Otherwise, great program! :) |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
I personally don't care for food as long as I have enough for a meal. But yes, Italian food is great. Its healthier, its more expensive, and cooking/planning for yourself everyday is tiring. But its worth it. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Trip to Cinque Terre was amazing. City visits were great. Almost every class we had with our CSC professor we would was outside of the classroom, so we experienced the city of Florence a little bit deeper. It was very nice. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Obviously, its dangerous day and night, like anywhere else in the world. Overall, Florence was quite a peaceful city with few loud drunks on the weekends. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | It really depends on a person, I think. As long as there is moderation in your spending (and as long as you have the right priorities), it will be fine. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Most people we were around spoke English, when we tried to socialize with locals they would also speak English to us. I didn't practice Italian much outside of the classroom. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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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? | It doesn't matter where you go, as long as you *go*. |
