Remarkable, one of a kind trip that will I will always cherish. Past Review
By Patrick (Benedictine College) - abroad from 02/01/2008 to 04/30/2008 with
Benedictine College: Florence - Semester Program in Florence, Italy
It was definitely worthwhile, I gained knowledge of other cultures and learned to be opened-minded and experience what you can.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academic experience was amazing, the curriculum was tough enough to challenge us in the classroom, but also gave us time to use what we learned when exploring the country. Also gave us ample time to venture to outlying cities and countries to learn and grow as young adults. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our admin on site was perfect, they understood we were both there to learn in the classroom and outside and gave us plenty of opportunities to do so. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Probably my favorite part, because I became life long friends with the two people I roomed with. Kasey Klenda and Ted Henry, I wouldn't have had it any other way, also plenty of space for all three of us. |
| * Food: |
The food was amazing, I had to exercise more over there for sure. Authentic Italian food is amazing, our course were we had the privilege of making our own Italian cuisine was a true experience because it showed the process and time that it takes to make really good authentic Italian meals. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I would say we probably had the best integration. Our Italian Language professor linked us up with some local futbol players and ever Sunday we would meet them on the opposite side of the city to play, where they would tell us where to go for a fun time and even meet up with them. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I give this a five, but too be honest, I really don't remember anyone needing to use it. |
| * Safety: |
Always felt safe, for the most part we stayed together as a group and always had someone local with us. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I had the best time ever, I met friends that I will have forever and experiences that I will never forget. |
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) |
It was easy enough, I think it is really easy, but you want to get everything you see. If you could hold back on trying to buy every piece of memorabilia it was fine. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100-150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | For me i saved as much as I could going into the program. I went 2nd Semester so I saved pretty well before i left and was fine. |
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 |
Our group was pretty outgoing so everywhere we went we kind of challenged one another to order or tell the taxi where to go. It was pretty hilarious. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| 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 completed two years of Spanish |
| 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? | Honestly most people spoke English or broken english which helped, but before we got to that point we always made the attempt to speak Italian first, and if we didn't understand one another they usually spoke English to us, but then would let us know how to say what we initially wanted. So my advice would be, don't be afraid to attempt to communicate in the native language. |
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? | It is nice going over there not knowing anything. If I had to say something though, maybe research the city a little more before going. We probably missed some cool places, but that's because there was a tone to do. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
