Can I go back? Past Review
By Shermel (D'Youville College) - abroad from 01/11/2019 to 04/20/2019 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Florence, Italy
Responsibility and how to take chances or going into something blindly.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived right next to the Duomo which is the pivotal part where all directions stem from. Not really, but it is very helpful to know where it is. |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I happened to get sick a lot overseas because of personal issues and It was hard to pay out of pocket while there and wait to be reimbursed after the program was over. Factor in out of pocket expenses of about 200 euro. |
| * Safety: |
|
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved Italy and the people and culture and it is the most centralized country out of all the study abroad locations. This makes it perfect to travel to and from. It also was not too expensive unless you wanted to go clothes shopping but that's most European countries. |
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) |
It was expensive to eat out and I ate out too much at the beginning of the trip. That is one thing I regret. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 40 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't eat out that often in your host country save your money and eat at home. When you travel to different places, then spend money on eating out. |
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? | None |
| 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? | none |
| 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? | Talk to Italians and go to clubs/bars with actual Italians in it to make new friends. Do not stick to just American bars and Clubs. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Bring more money than you think you should and have a credit card. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
