Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Do it. Yee. Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., University of Colorado - Boulder) - abroad from 01/09/2012 to 04/20/2012 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Florence, Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Learned a great deal about the freeing feeling traveling gives one. Whether it be on a bus, plane, or train, traveling with new friends or old friends always seems to be great. Still keep in touch with over 10 people from the program and there was only a total of about 75. It's a must go.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

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?

10

* Food:

10

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

2

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? not entirely sure, but a lot.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't buy too much wine

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? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? None
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Didn't take it
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Probably take the language

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Ratio of girls to guys
  • The girls
  • The classes
* What could be improved?
  • Getting a new vending machine. It's old and sometimes doesn't work.
  • Maybe a little closer living situations
  • More program trips.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't be afraid to enter because you don't know people in the program, or the city, or understand the culture. If you're open-minded and easy to get a long with, you will make amazing friends and have the greatest time of your life. Without a doubt.