Past Review
By Alex E (Radiology, University of Arkansas - Fayetteville) for
ISA Study Abroad in Florence, Italy
It was the best four months of my life. I gained a better global viewpoint and loved experiencing a completely different culture.
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 materials used in class were not very good. Grading was also difficult because we weren't informed of our grades. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
We had fantastic leaders that were easily accessible and very helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Via Faenza. Great location, close to the Duomo and the train station. <br /><br /> Very safe. A little far from school but the walk wasn't bad. In the city center close to everything. Had to purchase a few small kitchen items and random household items. |
| * Food: |
Amazing food. Great options everywhere. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved everything about Florence. The city sponsored things were great (i.e. a chocolate festival, Notte Bianca) |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Around 50 euro. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | We had to pay class fees, which was unexpected. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Most people spoke English but would speak Italian with me if I initiated conversation in Italian. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | An independent one. While the program was helpful, we felt very on our own and independent in our decisions and travels. |
