Go where the wind may take you Past Review
By A student (Architecture., University of San Francisco) - abroad from 01/22/2012 to 05/12/2012 with
Fairfield University: Florence - Semester or Year in Italy
I learned new things about myself; and how much I can push myself to do. That sleep is important & I can survive off of less than 8 hours, but eventually will burn out after 4 months. I learned to live more freely, knowing that this experience should be taken full advantage of. It was SO worthwhile!!!!!!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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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? |
Loved my living experience, great roommates and learned to work/live with 5 other roommates. Our apartment was beautiful, so old and original. We learned to make do with what we had, and it made for some funny stories. |
| * Food: |
You can't beat Italian pizza... |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
As for having a sense of "home" in a foreign country, I felt connected. Interacting with the locals was a challenge though because often when I tried to use my Italian, the locals would speak back in English. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I went to the doctors once and it was a great experience! Made appointment last minute, doctor was very accommodating. I was in, out and prescription purchased in farmacia within 15 minutes...very efficient! |
| * Safety: |
Very safe, never felt in danger, even at night. Advice for future students: no matter how safe the area is, ALWAYS be with someone at night. And watch your purses/belongings at ALL times; day and night. Pick pocketing is very common, as well as getting things stolen at clubs/out at night in crowded places. |
| 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) |
I definitely had to work and save money again once I came back to the States, but I won't regret any of my trips/purchases abroad because it was such a great experience. |
| * 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? | $100-150, not including trips |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Grocery shopping at the supermarket outside of the city centre helped save money. Don't buy many souvenirs, unless have to. They take up LOTS of space when packing to come back home. Buy drinks at grocery store as well, to help save money when going out at night. |
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 |
They helped us see how frustrating it can be to get used to a new culture and language, but they also highly encouraged the native language for complete immersion. |
| 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? | no Italian, only Spanish so helped understand some words |
| 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? | PRACTICE with roommates. We never really tried this, but I assume forcing everyone to speak in the native language for a certain time each day would definitely help with learning to communicate. |
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? | 0 |
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? | That learning more than just "basics" with the language would be difficult. |
