Opportunity of a Lifetime Past Review
By A student (Occupational Therapy, Elizabethtown College) - abroad from 09/01/2015 to 12/17/2015 with
CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Florence - Semester in Florence
Studying abroad was the first time I was able to travel outside of the United States. It made me have to become more independent as I was really out of my comfort zone living in a city with strangers. I learned a lot about myself and my values after exploring different cultures. I have absolutely no regrets!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Lots of options for classes in order to fully learn about the Italian culture. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
After the Paris attacks, not only the school but CIS went out of their way to ensure extra safety by checking in with us and having us fill out travel forms so they could account for everyone at anytime. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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 |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | Beginner |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Use the language as much as possible because the locals really appreciate you trying rather than being a lazy American. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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? | I wish I really understood the culture shock when going to Italy and when coming back because I do not think anyone truly understands until they experience it. You see pictures of people traveling but not the hard adjustments they experienced. I wish someone explained this experience to me more to make it easier. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
