I went, I saw, I loved, I smiled, I laughed, I learned, I cried Past Review

By Courtney M (University of Akron) - abroad from 08/25/2014 to 12/13/2014 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned that the world is bigger than my home culture. I learned that there are many things that each culture could learn from other culture and a lot of growth could happen if we just step out of our comfort zone. It was absoultely worthwhile! I would suggest it to anyone who is willing to open their mind to new and wonderful things.

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	All are very: helpful, resourceful, friendly, welcoming and young so they can easily relate to the students.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I lived with a host family and they were absolutely wonderful! I couldn't have been placed better! I really felt like a part of the family!
* Food:	My host mom is a wonderful cook!
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	I personally didn't have any health isues during my time abroad but a few of my friends did and the administrators at the school did everything in their power to get them the help they needed including driving them to other towns!
* Safety:	I never felt unsafe!
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 think I could have lived on a better budget if I would have been smarter about my spending in the begining. All of us went a little crazy so by the end we were a little frugal.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	20.00 €
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Make smart choices at the begining... you have plenty of time to do and see things so you don't need to cram everything in the first few weeks even though you want to!

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?	Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	none
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants?	Don't be afraid to try to speak the little bits that you already know or are learning in class, the locals will be receptive of your effort

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans Host Family
* 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?	Traveling Small group so all can become close friends Invested staff that genuinely cares
* What could be improved?	Nothing
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	That it rains A LOT in Italy!

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.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Italian 101
Course Department:
Instructor:	Bianca
Instruction Language:
Comments:	The class was abosultely wonderful! Our instructor was the perfect balance between chalenging us and making sure that we all understood what was going on all the time. She was avaliable for any of us if we needed any additional help outside of class. She refused to speak in English most of the time which I feel is very helpful because then we learned faster!
Credit Transfer Issues:	I have not returned home yet but it seems like the credits will transfer fine.