Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The best decision of my life: Florence & Cea program Past Review

By (Marketing, Pennsylvania State University - University Park / Penn State) - 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 learned to be more responsible.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The staff of CEA is amazing and so helpful and approachable.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was shocked with how modern, clean, and big my apartment was.

* Food:

Your in Italy, be ready to gain 15 pounds the food is amazing.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Italians are very nice.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Always felt safe

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 150

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? Beginner
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? Italian 200
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0

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?
  • Teachers
  • Classes
  • Activities
* What could be improved?
  • hot water
  • heating
  • nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how expensive abroad was.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A 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.