Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Unforgettable Past Review

By (Providence College) - abroad from 01/23/2012 to 05/12/2012 with

Fairfield University: Florence - Semester or Year in Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained so much from my experience abroad. I learned more about myself and my strengths and weaknesses. I learned how to concern many of my fears including heights. Finally, I learned how to adapt to another culture and learn about many various cultures in Europe.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The library hours were really difficult to work with. It was not open on the weekend before midterm and finals which forced us to study in our rooms or at cafes that were really loud.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $250
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Spend your money on traveling dont waste it shopping during the week on things you do not need

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

2 only during italian class

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
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? spanish in high school
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? Use it as much as you can. Whether your ordering in a restaurant or talking to a native speaker use it and do not be embarrassed, they feel the same way when they are speaking English.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The apartment I was placed in was in a great location. It was very close to school and near the city center.
  • I liked that we did not have class on Fridays which gave us the opportunity to travel as much as possible.
* What could be improved?
  • When there is a holiday classes are rescheduled and it caused a lot of problems whether it interfered with travel plans that were already made or interfered with other classes that were trying to reschedule.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew which classes offered field trips during the week. I was not enrolled in any classes that took us to museums and I wish I was.