Study Abroad Program in Florence Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Loved the teachers! The courses weren't as exciting/interesting as I felt they could have been, but I still enjoyed them enough. I was glad that the school required all students to take Italian since it forced me to learn the language some.

On-site administration of your program

They were fantastic! My AIFS advisor was incredibly helpful, always easy to reach, and so so nice. The AIFS program was a little more expensive than the rest of the programs similar to it offered in Florence, but it was absolutely worth it. They were more expensive because the program fee included trips to London, Rome, and Venice, as well as a meal plan that was 5 breakfasts and 5 dinners each week. The size was great--not too small but not too large either. In total, there were 170 in my specific program in Florence, but then there are thousands more Americans studying in Florence each semeseter.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Via Maggio--near Pitti Palace. I loved this neighborhood since it was much more authentic-Italian. Apartment was very nice--included a washing machine and kitchen. Roommates were tolerable but not my best friends. <br /><br /> Bed linens and cookware were included. Landlord spoke very very little English, but our school helped with the communication.

Obviously the food in Italy is incredible. Our program gave us meal vouchers for the majority of the meals we ate--one breakfast ticket was worth 5 euro, dinner worth 13. You could spend that money towards anything at the restaurant or choose from a fixed-price menu. No other program had this set-up, and it was absolutely amazing. And the restaurants that we were able to use the vouchers were really nice/authentic Italian!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Wish I could go back and re-do it all again.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Safety was the same sort of thing you have to be concerned with there that you do in the US. I never once felt uncomfortable or at risk.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

All the Italians spoke English, but they definitely appreciated it when they saw we were trying to speak to them in Italian. Was not with a host family, so didn't practice speaking all too often outside of Italian class.

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• Apartment

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• Americans

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• Americans