An Incredible Semester, Unforgettable Journey Past Review
By A student (Elementary And Special Education, Providence College) - abroad from 08/26/2012 to 12/15/2012 with
Fairfield University: Florence - Semester or Year in Italy
This semester was the best experience I could have asked for, I miss Florence so much and cannot wait for my next chance to travel to Europe! I learned so many things about life, culture and about myself. I grew in my independence and made so many great friends.
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. |
Classes were appropriate and really related to the culture around us. Library hours were limited, would have liked for them to extend them. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very helpful, always available. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Apartments were nice, and enough space for the number of people we had. |
| * Food: |
Food is delicious, though you do not have a meal plan- you are responsible for your own meals. It was easy enough to go to the grocery store and cook for yourself. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I had an internship while living here so I felt as though that really gave me an advantage to becoming integrated in the culture. If I hadn't had it, I don't think I would have felt integrated. |
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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) |
Living abroad is not cheap, I spent less than $100 a week on food, but when you are traveling that number goes up. It depends on how much you are eating out/ cooking for yourself. |
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 |
Required in class, and gave vocabulary to use outside, but you can get around in the city without speaking very much. |
| 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? | Beginner |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Talk to your roommates in Italian as much as you can. Label the objects in your apartment so you become familiar with the words. |
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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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 had known there was a possibility of being placed in an apartment with all Providence roommates, I would have requested to not be placed with any so I could have had the opportunity to meet new people and live with people I never would have had the chance to. |
