Semester in Florence: In the heart of Tuscany Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

All of my classes were taught in English, so you don't need any prior knowledge for a language. The professors were from all over the world, so it was very interesting to learn their different perspectives and they were very easy to communicate with. The workload wasn't any more than I had back at home, but there are regular homework assignments and projects. The classes are in a smaller setting than at my home University, but you got to know the students and the teachers on a personal level.

On-site administration of your program

The staff was very helpful and was always willing to make our stay more enjoyable. Our school had around 200 students and they seem to take care of everyone. Sometimes they were a little unorganized, but for the most part they knew how to take good care of us.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in an apartment with six other American girls. Our sheets, pillows, and blankets were all provided. We just had to buy our towels. We had two bathrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and three bedrooms. We also had air conditioning and Wifi Internet. We lived right off of Piazza Santa Croce and were in a great location in the city. I lived in a three person room and it seemed like my bed was just thrown in there. But other than that everything worked well.

The food is excellent in Italy and I had a kitchen, so I could cook whenever I wanted. There are no microwaves in Italy, so just be prepared that you can only cook items in the oven or on the stove. The fridges are very small and when there are so many people living in a small area, you can only buy so much food at one time.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I had two free excursions come with my program. We went to the Amalfi Coast to Capri, Sorrento, and Pompeii. It was one of the prettiest places I have ever been and I loved every minute of it. We also went to Pitigliamo and a spa in the Tuscan countryside. The school always had field trips that you could sign up for on the weekends that were easy to coordinate with your schedule and interests.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Overall the city is safe, but it is always best to be walking with friends or people you know after dark. It is a big city and strange things do happen, but as long as you are aware of your surroundings you will be alright. Pick-pocketing is a major concern in Florence, so you always need to be aware of your bag.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

It was required to take an Italian language class, but I had already had six semesters of Italian. It improved my speaking and allowed me to practice with real Italians in their culture. We also had a Language Exchange Program and we were paired with an Italian student from a local university and met with them several times throughout the semester. Knowing Italian is not a requirement because most of the people in Florence speak Italian and English, so it is easy to get around.

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• Apartment

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• Americans

• Location of the city

• More interactive for students around the holidays, such as a Thanksgiving meal