Awesome! May 18, 2022

By (Architecture, University of Hartford) - abroad from 02/03/2022 to 04/30/2022 with

API (Academic Programs International): Florence - Lorenzo de’ Medici – The Italian International Institute (LDM)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
A better understanding of classical architecture

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Not sure how to rate this because we were never given any food

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The only health thing that came up was getting a covid test for the flight back

* Safety:

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

It was a great program that allowed you to have plenty of time on weekends to explore Italy

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)

It was still a significant amount of money I was able to afford it because I had worked a lot over the summer not sure exactly how much I spent per week because it would vary depending on the situation

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50-$100 per week roughly I think depended on what I was doing
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? don't eat out a ton, when planning a trip look around hard for cheaper transportation

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
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? I had done some spanish and latin but had forgotten most of it
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? living with an Italian family would be the best because you would have to speak the language 24/7

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
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?
  • The long weekends
  • The spring break
  • The tours and activites provided
* What could be improved?
  • One less class having classes from 9 to 5 with no break can be tedious
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing I can think of

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.