Best Experience of My Life. The Good Obliterates the Bad. Past Review
By Teagan R (Creative Writing., Colby-Sawyer College) for
AIFS: Florence - Richmond in Florence and Internship Program
It was worth while. I learned how to be independent, and live on my own. I had to learn really quickly how to run a household with roommates. I know how to deal with issues with others now. I also learned a lot more about myself and my own problems. It was an eye-opening experience. I definitely want to study abroad again, and I cannot wait to do so.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Grading was fair at most points. And I enjoyed all the classes, i learned a lot from them. You learn the entire time you are there though. The culture is just there for you to soak up. The entire experirence was one large class. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
the faculty is really helpful in finding resources within the city and planing trips outside the city. They are knowledgeable and there to talk to. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
All of Florence is beautiful, and our apartments were modern and just the right size. It was close to class, but it was far enough away so that we didn't feel like we were on campus. You really felt like you were living on your own, but with a little extra help. |
| * Food: |
Food was really expensive in Florence, but it was really good. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved everything about Italy, and all the other places I went. It was completely mind-blowing to see regular buildings that were older than my country. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
One incident happened, but it was small. I feel very safe in Florence. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | On a bad week I would spend about 200 dollars. That includes textbook expenses and doctor visits, and sometimes extra food for whatever reason. And others I could spend 75. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make sure to plan on getting sick, or having to buy things you never thought about at home. You have to become independent really fast, and the world is unforgiving. Be prepared, and be able to react quickly. Otherwise you could end up spending more that you need to. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Most people wanted to speak English and not Italian. It was really frustrating, and since our Italian class was only once a week it was useless. We barely knew anything. |
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? | Be ready to come up against obstacles you never had to. The time difference lends so much more to the home sickness than you would think. Also make sure you are open-minded otherwise this experience might not be so much fun. |
