An incredible once in a life time experience I will never regret! Past Review
By Daniel T (Architecture., Roger Williams University) - abroad from 01/10/2012 to 05/05/2012 with
International Studies Institute / ISI Florence
It was 100% worthwhile. I learned a lot about myself and my education. A lot of what I learned in Italy will most likely change my life and career path.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The professors through this program were very friendly, personable and intelligent. A few of my professors were very influential with my education and really opened my eyes to my future. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
RWU was very helpful through out the entire process and I am lucky to have a program with great organization. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The apartment I stayed in was in a perfect location but wasn't the nicest in terms of furnishings. |
| * Food: |
The food in Italy was amazing and I loved cooking for myself and friends. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I didn't feel too as integrated with the culture as I could have been if I was living with a host family. I still felt right at home when I landed in Florence and I felt to really fit well with the culture but being surrounded by American students made the integration with the culture seem not as great. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no experience with healthcare besides having a cold for a few weeks that eventually blew over. |
| * Safety: |
My safety was fine, never felt in danger. |
| 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) |
2.5. It was reasonable if you weren't going out a lot. |
| * 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 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Starting a budget at the very beginning and planning out trips ahead of time. |
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 |
5 |
| 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? | Just practice it a lot using it out in public as much as possible and even with your friends at home. |
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? | All the places I went out to eat. |
