The Reality of Dreams Past Review
By Andre S (Architecture., University of Hartford) - abroad from 06/10/2012 to 05/08/2012 with
International Studies Institute / ISI Florence
It was the most amazing experience of my life and I would never trade it for anything in the world!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I learned more than I could have ever imagined about architecture, art, archaeology, and history. One of the most stimulating semesters in college by far! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They did everything possible to make sure that we were comfortable and well versed for exams and understood that we were not only abroad to study but to enjoy what Italy has to offer. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing was small but I had my own bedroom and bathroom and we had a cleaning service come once a month so cleaning the apartment was never a burden. Plus I lived directly in downtown Florence next to Palazzo Vecchio so I had nothing to complain about! |
| * Food: |
Italian food is the best food in the world, in my opinion, and besides having to buy all my food I had no problem going to my local market and eating healthy, fresh foods. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was somewhat difficult to meet locals at first because of the language barrier but by the end of the semester through all the social programs my school offered and just from walking around the city every day it was easy to make close local friends! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The only difficulties I had was not knowing what the Italian version of what I wanted was, for instance I got a cough in the beginning of the semester and I just acted out coughing for the cashier at the drug store and he understood quickly what I was looking for. |
| * Safety: |
There was never a time that I did not feel safe. There are plenty of friendly police officers willing to help you when you are in need. Just don't be careless and then there should be no problem. |
| 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) |
The euro got very expensive very fast and by the end I just stopped converting to make myself feel better about how much I was spending. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150 to $200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try and bring a water bottle with you so you don't have to keep buying it and try and find snacks and school supplies in bulk or bring them form home because they get expensive fast. |
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 |
I tried my best to speak Italian everyday in every situation possible. |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | AP German |
| 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? | Speak it with your classmates and every store you go to rather than asking is everyone speaks english. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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? | That Alfredo sauce is not italian |
