Life-Changing Experience Past Review
By Stephen S (Accounting, University of Hartford) - abroad from 08/22/2012 to 12/07/2012 with
AIFS: Florence - Richmond in Florence and Internship Program
My trip was 100% worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I enjoyed learning the Italian language. I had taken Spanish for the last 6 years and found the language similar to Italian. My teachers were great. The classes were interesting, and we frequently made walks around the city of Florence correlated to our studies in class. It was an amazing experience that I wouldn't give back. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was very satisfied. We lived in a 4 person apartment with 4 single rooms. There was alot of space, and a full size kitchen. It was a great apartment to live in for 4 months. |
| * Food: |
The food in Italy is some of the best, and richest I've ever had. The pasta and pizza were great and made with ingredients from the Tuscan region. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
It was fairly easy. I found myself out of money very quickly. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About 225 per week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Keep yourself to a per week budget. But also don't always hold back. You are there to experience new things and enjoy it. |
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 |
They encouraged us to use it when we weren't in the classroom. For example, if we were ina resturant or at a cafe they stressed that practicing is how you get better. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| 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? | I studied Spanish for 6 years prior to studying in Italy. |
| 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? | Use it all the time. In the classroom, at resturants, bars, stores, etc. |
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? | I wish I knew more about the language. If I had taken 6 years of Italian rather than Spanish, it would've been different, and maybe a bit easier. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
