Studying abroad was absolutely the best decision I have ever made Past Review
By A student (Global Studies, Bryant University) - abroad from 01/30/2012 to 05/10/2012 with
API (Academic Programs International): Florence - Lorenzo de’ Medici – The Italian International Institute (LDM)
It's difficult to put into words what I learned from my experience abroad, but I basically learned about myself - my ambitions, my strengths, my weaknesses. I learned to have patience, to be curious, and to always be willing to try new things. It was by far the best 4 months of my life, and I couldn't be more thankful for having such an incredible opportunity.
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. |
Classes were very enlightening, especially taking political science classes in another country. Obtaining a different perspective was very educational for me. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I had an unsatisfactory experience with the way my program handled a housing situation. I was given a new roommate a few weeks into the program without any compatibility checks to assure that we would be compatible roommates and would not have the same issues that she had in her previous housing situation. I felt that this situation was handled extremely unprofessionally from an administrative level and hope that they handle these situations better in the future. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Beautiful apartment |
| * Food: |
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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) |
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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $300 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Book travel plans in advance |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate Italian |
| 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? | Put yourself out there and try to make conversation as often as you can. |
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 am much more informed on the best ways to travel around Europe; more information on this beforehand would have been very helpful, although most things you do just have to learn for yourself. |
