Being in Florence is an experience I will never forget Past Review
By Brandi M (Communications, Rhode Island College) for
CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Florence - Semester in Florence
Yes I absolutely loved it. An unforgettable experience. I see the world a lot differently now that I was able to actually interact with people from a different cultures. I learned about how people see the world differently than America.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Honestly, the classes were the same as at home except I did not feel like I was really taught to, only lectured to. I do not feel like I really learned the material maybe except in one class (Marketing) but other than that I almost felt like it was a joke. The workload was not bad and the grading system was fair but their were a few things that were on tests that we never learned. Other than that everything was fine. The professors were great and it was run just like an American classroom. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
It would have been nice to actually have someone from the program who lived in Florence instead of Rome event though they did come to Florence to show us around but it would have been more helpful if they were actually here to help guide us more. I enjoyed the two trips included in the program but I felt almost like the program just gave us into the hands of the school to deal with. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I really wanted to live with a host family but living with students was fine except that the apartment was too small for seven people to live in. |
| * Food: |
Try food outside the city center because it is ten times better! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved Capri the most so worth getting in that crystal clear water. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Absolutely no health problems except a cold once and a while. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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Finances
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* 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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Only my classmates. I only needed to use the language a little bit because mostly everyone spoke at least a little English. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Explore Florence I know its tempting to go see other places in Europe but there are so many things to discover here. |
