A Delicious Taste of Florentine Art, Food, History, and Culture Past Review
By A student (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Providence College) - abroad from 01/20/2013 to 05/11/2013 with
Fairfield University: Florence - Semester or Year in Italy
Studying in Florence awakened my senses to the beauty of travel and experiencing foreign cultures. I learned that I am capable of adapting and thriving in new situations. It was absolutely worthwhile, and I hope to continue traveling and learning throughout my life.
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. |
The courses I took were very appropriate for study in Florence. The classes were extremely interactive and hands on. Frequent field trips and professors from Italy made learning exciting and enjoyable. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administrators in Florence did a wonderful job keeping the students informed and helping with any questions or problems. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
The food in the city and markets was fresh, authentic, and delicious. |
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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: |
My apartment was broken into while my roommate was present. Nothing was stolen because she chased the intruders out of the building. Fairfield hired a security guard and changed all of the locks in the building to prevent another break in. |
| 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) |
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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? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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?
Select all that apply |
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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? | I wish I knew that I did not need to pack so many clothes, and to spend as much time in Italy as possible. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
