Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Amazing Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., Providence College) - abroad from 01/21/2013 to 05/11/2013 with

Fairfield University: Florence - Semester or Year in Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to become even more independent than I had to when I left for freshmen year at PC. You don't have your family around you, so you really have to do everything and learn everything by yourself. It was definitely worthwhile and has prepared me for the real 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? No

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)

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? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate

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?
  • Being in Florence because it is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been to
  • I liked the people in my program
  • I liked the included field trips to different places in italy
* What could be improved?
  • living situations
  • small amount of money given to each student for groceries-other programs provided that
  • wifi
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how hard it would be to completely cut off from family/friends back home but at the same time it made me miss and appreciate them more