the experience of a lifetime! Past Review
By Jessica Wolff (University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh) - abroad from 01/21/2019 to 04/19/2019 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Florence, Italy
My biggest takeaways were workplace cultural differences and my Italian language skills. Both of which were definitely worthwhile!
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. |
Courses were challenging yet rewarding. Working with local professors made learning the material even more interesting! |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
the CAPA Florence staff was approachable and helpful with everything students needed. Whether it was academic advice, help with doctor's vists or helping with landlords, the CAPA staff was always ready to help! |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My apartment was spacious and in a great location. My roommate was wonderful as well, though we would have loved a few more roommates to spend time with! |
| * Food: |
While CAPA doesn't provide meals, it provides the means to have a good one! Between restaurant recommendations and free cooking classes, you won't be hungry in Florence. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
CAPA's Ganzo project allowed me to spend time with a local Florentine family every week. This was one of the best parts of my study abroad experienced. I loved getting to know the locals! |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any issues personally, though I do know of some people who did. CAPA handled each of them carefully and never left students alone in the process. |
| * Safety: |
I had no issues with safety in Florence but the CAPA staff regularly checked in to make sure students were safe in the city. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
the CAPA program allowed me to study and intern in Florence, letting me learn not only academics but work culture as well! |
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? | about 100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | learn to cook! the ingredients are so fresh and local, you're bound to make something delicious. |
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 |
the internship i completed was in Italian so it was very immersive |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | level 2 |
| 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 people! the best way to learn is to practice. |
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? | I wish I knew how cold it really is in Florence in the winter! |
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. |
