Fantastico! Past Review
By A student (Public and Community Service Studies, Providence College) - abroad from 01/23/2012 to 05/11/2012 with
Fairfield University: Florence - Semester or Year in Italy
I love the Italian lifestyle and I hope to incorporate it in my life forever
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. |
The courses weren't that difficult but some of the teachers didnt speak english very well. Usually that worked to your favor grading wise, but sometimes if you didnt quote the teacher verbatim you lose points and had to argue for them back. |
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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? |
Our apartment was amazing! (6 girls, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms) |
| * Food: |
The food in Italy is amazing. I never ate at Ganzo though. |
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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: |
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| 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) |
Florence is expensive, be prepared to spend money! |
| * 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? | $300 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Just bring way more money than you think you need. This semester isnt a time to save, have fun! But also fly RyanAir to save money traveling and if you plan on taking a train a lot the EuroRail pass is expensive but worth it. |
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? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Italian 101 |
| 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? | Rosetta Stone or take a class at your college before you come to Italy. It was great to get there and already know the basics. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | How much money I would spend so quickly. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Daily Life in Pompeii |
| Course Department: | History |
| Instructor: | Laura Visentin |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | The course fee is expensive but its worth it and the field trip was amazing. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
