I will return Past Review
By Wesley Moody (University of Hartford) - abroad from 01/08/2020 to 05/02/2020 with
International Studies Institute / ISI Florence
I learned how to live independently more and how to control my money
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. |
The courses I took were always engaging and interesting. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were always ready to help with anything and wanted the best experience for you. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The location and view was amazing. |
| * Food: |
The food is much healthier and I spent much less on groceries while over there. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was very convenient that everyone spoke English but in certain places I still felt like a tourist because I did not speak Italian. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I only spoke to a therapist while over there and the process was very smooth with insurance and everything. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe within the city. You just have to be smart yourself and nothing bad will happen to you. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Since my time was cut short I'd definitely go back here and finish my experience |
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) |
It depended on the week. If I was traveling for the weekend it was well over $400. But if I was staying in Florence it was closer to $100 for the week. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100-$400 a week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't spend all your money in the first couple weekends. Spread it out and don't travel every weekend. Explore your home city. |
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 |
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| 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? | I had taken Spanish III in high school prior to this |
| 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? | Use it outside of the classroom |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| 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? |
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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? | How amazing my experience actually would be |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
