Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Fast paced, well versed month long program to help you with your skills. Past Review

By (Chef's Apprentice, Johnson County Community College) - abroad from 09/27/2013 to 10/26/2013 with

Florence University of The Arts: Florence - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to be able to handle different culinary experiences and challenges appropriately with real world application and mentoring. I was very impressed with the preparation, but I felt there should have been more homework or materials covered. I felt it was very much a chance for the students to get publicity and exposure.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 125
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? reuse, learn to live without, don't drink alcohol as much as me, go to the grocery store, eat out only a couple times a week, be frugal on buying gifts for your family

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The experience
  • the exposure
  • the people/teachers
* What could be improved?
  • More Homework or materials to be tested over
  • more cordination of transportation in New York or mapped trips
  • more of a chance to work with a better knowledge of recipes and end results
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I could have challenged a bit more. I believe that the menu's were challenging but were ultimately excepting of the other's levels also.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'