Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

One in lifetime opportunity Past Review

By (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Providence College) - abroad from 08/27/2012 to 12/14/2013 with

Fairfield University: Florence - Semester or Year in Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained everything! Travel experience and independence. An appreciation of all the beautiful things in the world

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* 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)

I have a summer job which pays very well so I did not run into money problems but everyone else I talked to definitely did.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 200-500
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook for yourself

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

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? None

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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Fairfield Staff
  • Location of apartments
  • Flexibility of school schedules
* What could be improved?
  • Worst roommates
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew more about my roommates and that we were not going to get along. Maybe be informed of roommates earlier than the week before.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.