Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Priceless experience, Florence has my heart and CAPA is the host! Past Review

By (University of Hartford) - abroad from 09/09/2017 to 12/16/2017 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Florence, Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained confidence in traveling alone, building lasting friendships, and navigating my way through a foreign city without cell phone service.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes were structured well, inside and outside classroom activites were very nice to integrate into the culture.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

All of the staff at CAPA was very kind!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The housing was in a great location and I was paired with other students with similar interests. It seems CAPA did a great job pairing people to live together as each apartment got along very well!

* Food:

How could you not love the food in Italy! Was so good, and the CAPA programs usually had food at their events which was a nice touch.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

They had multiple opportunities for students to teach English at Italian elementary schools as well as weekly dinners with an Italian family.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Well! If anyone was sick the front desk was accommodating to that student and sent them to a local doctor.

* Safety:

Every city has some crime, it's just a matter of having common sense of navigating it. I unfortunately got my phone stolen, but CAPA was very kind when I told them what happened, and offered support.

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)

Florence was reasonably priced, it was just a matter of structuring money management before you leave.

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat out only a few times a week, buy groceries and cook for yourself to save money!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes

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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people
  • The extraciricular activies provided
* What could be improved?
  • More extraciricular activies!
  • Icebreakers in the beginning of the program
  • Provide an International Student ID card so students can get discounts in museums, etc.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how to manage my money better.

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 Networker
An active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume.