Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Travel focused, American based experience with little local involvement Past Review

By (HISTORY., Trinity University) - abroad from 09/09/2013 to 12/21/2013 with

Gonzaga University: Gonzaga-in-Florence

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned about the world, the act of traveling, different parts of America, my own home, people and how they function, but most importantly, I learned a lot about myself. It was definitely worthwhile

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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? I kept to a budget of 200 euros a week. Including frequent travel.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Study abroad is as cheap or as expensive as you choose to make it. I could've saved a lot more money by simply staying in my host country, but I used the time to explore as many other places as I could. To save money, invest where you are and revel in the culture you've committed 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? Beginner
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? Get out of the norm. If you're in an American based program as I was, take some time away from your friends and surroundings to go somewhere unfamiliar and talk to a local.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The helpfulness, support, and reflective nature of the encouragement from the administration
  • The housing situation and food accommodations
  • Abundance of travel possibilities
* What could be improved?
  • Encouragement to stay in Florence/Italy
  • A push for local and cultural involvement
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't plan too much ahead before leaving, don't worry too much because everything will fall together with your arrival

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.