AMAZING!! Past Review
By Michelle C (Florida State University) - abroad from 01/09/2012 to 05/05/2012 with
Florida State University: Florence - FSU Florence Program
Studying abroad was the best decision I ever made.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Absolutely amazing program! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administrative support was great! They were always available to help picking classes, assisted with planning independent travel, and encouraged us to make the most out of our time abroad. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The apartment complex we lived in was located in the residential side of Florence. Each suite had a common room, small kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom. The bedroom fit 2-3 beds. The suites were very specious, giving my two roommates and I plenty of room. The apartment included a laundry room and a full kitchen. The complex had a terrace we would do hw on or tan during sunny days. There was also a large grassy area located behind the building on on the ground floor for us to use to kick the soccer ball around. |
| * Food: |
The meal vouchers given to us were redeemable at the most amazing Italian restaurants! We had about 8 different locations to choose from to use the 5 Euro meal vouchers. We were given a handfull of vouchers once every 2 weeks to use as sparingly. I used one voucher for lunch and 2 for dinner Monday-Thursday. On the weekends, I usually traveled elsewhere and had to buy my food on my own. I always ended up with more than enough vouchers to get me through the week! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Because we had the vouchers to so many local Italian places, we got to know the waiters very well. They would have us practice our Italian with them and joke that they didn't understand us when we spoke English. Through this interaction, we got to know many Florence locals and had the opportunity to improve our Italian! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Even if it was just a cold, the staff would do everything they could to get us the medication we needed to get better or schedule an appointment for us at a local clinic. The program included health insurance in the fee. Someone on our program broke his foot and everything was covered for him! |
| * Safety: |
EXTREMELY SAFE! All the FSU Florence facilities had swipe card access, cameras, and all the doors locked behind you. The students were each given a key to their rooms and there was even a play to store our valuable belongings within the rooms. |
| 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) |
I traveled every weekend so I spend more than the average student. Probably about $500 to $600 a week. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $500-600 (I traveled EVERY WEEKEND) |
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 |
As previously stated, eating at local places helped us use our Italian. The administration would encourage us as well to speak Italian. |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Italian 2 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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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| 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 can't think of anything.... |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
