Take Me Back! Past Review
By Taylor D (Communications, University of Colorado - Boulder) - abroad from 09/05/2015 to 12/12/2014 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Florence, Italy
Studying abroad in Florence was the best decision I have ever made. I was pushed out of my comfort zone and given the chance to learn more about myself in 4 months than I thought was possibe. I would do it all over again if I could!
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. |
The professors were motivating, caring, and patient. They made the classes fun, interesting, and exciting. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was so much fun living in the city center with the locals! It really helped us get immersed in the culture. |
| * Food: |
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Never have I ever had better pizza, pasta, or gelato. |
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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: |
At first it may be a little scary because everything is so new, but once you get a feel for the city it is way less overwhelming and scary! |
| 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) |
It all depends on how much you want to travel and eat out! You can save a lot of money but staying in Florence on the weekends and making your own food! Although eating lunch and breakfast out are extremely inexpensive! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About $75 a week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | When you first get there don't eat out like crazy, scope out the places you want to go and when you get closer to the end of the program go out all the time! That way you can save your money for traveling. |
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 |
Taking Italian class was worth it! I was able to have basic conversations with the locals and order food! The Italians really appreciated the effort. |
| 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? | Beginner |
| 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? | Download Duelingo! |
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? | 0 |
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 goes faster than you think, so don't wait to do things! Just go do them! Your time will be over before you know it. |
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. |
