A View of Italia Past Review

By (Early Childhood Development, Colby-Sawyer College) for

AIFS: Florence - Richmond in Florence and Internship Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I feel like I have a new understanding of myself by being abroad and gaining a wider appreciation for different cultures and peoples.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

AIFS was wonderful with being available to the students whenever they were needed, I would not change a thing.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Having the long weekend was great for traveling!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I did not find a problem with being safe on the streets as long as I was not out late without a group of friends. Finding pharmacies was a little difficult and getting used to the way they work, i.e. asking you about your symtoms and then giving you medication for it.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I spent an average of 50 Euros/week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? It would have been great to know that we would have to pay for a lot of our food and cleaning supplies as well.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
Language acquisition improvement?

Most people in Florence spoke english so it was difficult to be immersed in the language.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans