The best semester of my life Past Review
By kelsey k (Advertising, University of Colorado - Boulder) - abroad from 01/12/2015 to 05/01/2015 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Florence, Italy
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I am less judgmental and I appreciate where I came from so much more. I see the world and different cultures in such a different light. I appreciate meeting new people and I love getting to know locals because you can learn the most from them.
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. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
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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: |
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| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $60 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you think you've saved enough money, you're wrong. You blow through money so fast here so keep saving money. I think my best advice is to cook meals at your apartment once you've tried a good amount of restaurants. It's hard because you want to take advantage of the time you have here, which adds up quickly. |
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 |
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| 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? | No Italian. I took three 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? | Practice as much as you can. Don't be embarrassed to mess up, the Italians appreciate when you try, and you learn a lot just by trying to communicate. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | This experience goes by so fast so I wish I took advantage of Florence more. I traveled so much that I often didn't get to know Florence as well as I could have. Traveling is great but take advantage of the beauty right here where you're studying! |
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. |
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