Breathtaking, Picturesque, Fun, Free. Past Review
By Lisa P (University of Arkansas - Fayetteville) - abroad from 06/18/2012 to 07/14/2012 with
ISA Study Abroad in Florence, Italy
it was worthwhile. I didn't meet a whole lot of locals- but it was fun meeting other americans from all over. I learned a lot about myself, what I want out of life. It sounds corny but it was very eye opening. I think everyone needs to be thrown into a situation by there self, it was a way to gain independence and experience a different kind of freedom. I loved every minute.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I loved the ISA office. They were helpful and always encouraging us to come by use there facility. I didn't bring my computer so they had a computer lab that was very helpful. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved where I lived, and where all my friends lived. all of the apartments were nice. Mine did not have AC, and some of my friends did, so that was the downfall, especially since we all pay the same |
| * Food: |
delicious. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
you get what you put in it. But it wasn't terribly schocking but the isa staff was always helpful in giving us pointers and tips on what to do in the city. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got hurt and needed to go to the doctor. The ISA team helped me out so much. They scheduled my appointment for me and walked me to the doctors office. They were so helpful. |
| * 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) |
I would say I spent about 150 a week. maybe a little bit more. It is not cheap. I wish I could of spent less, but once you are over there you want to see and do as much as you can, plus you want to eat good food, which I ate some great meals and it would be cheaper there than it would be here, but things add up. |
| * 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? | well that was included in my statement above. but I spent about 150-200 on food, shopping, and activities. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you really want to go- just save. the experience of study abroad will be way better any physical item you can have, I just kept reminding myself that months in advance, and it turns out it was true. I paid for this trip myself, and it was money well spent. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | how to go about meeting locals, I still never really accomplished it. and I'm sure I could of, but I was only in florence for 3 weeks, and it goes by super quickly. |
