The Experience of a Lifetime! Past Review
By Alex S (Business/Managerial Economics, Indiana University - Bloomington) - abroad from 09/06/2015 to 12/07/2012 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Florence, Italy
My eyes were completed opened to the world. I gained a new and global pespective which you can only get by living in another culture. It was worth all of the time and money. I would do it all again in a heartbeat! Florence is an amazing city.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Fantastic faculty and very interesting courses! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Helpful staff who worked with students on every issue that came up. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Great apartment in the historic city center with a 1 minute walk to class. |
| * Food: |
The food was amazing but of limited variety. If you don't like Italian food I would reconsider Florence. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
If you make an effort to integrate yourself you will have a much better experience. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
If you had a health incident, it was your responsibility to schedule an appointment or get the the hospital. |
| * Safety: |
The only safety issue commonly faced by students happens during or after being at a local bar or club. It is important to remember moderation when drinking and to always have friends you trust with you. |
| 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) |
Europe is very expensive. The longer you have been inFlorence the easier it is to budget week to week and to plan your spending wisely. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I would recommend making a weekly budget and not going over that. Try cooking in groups and taking turns shopping. Also the markets are cheaper than the grocery stores. |
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 |
It was encouraged but not forced. |
| 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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I hadn't completed any language courses. |
| 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? | Use the language even when you are with American students. Practice together! |
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 wish I knew a little bit more about Italian culture. I would recommend doing a lot of research. Italy is behind the United States on a lot of social issues which can be a shock to American students. |
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. |
