Being submerged in Renaissance art is something you can only get in Florence. Amazing. Past Review

By Lauren N (Fine Art, Western Washington University) for

ISA Study Abroad in Florence, Italy

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

Yes. I gained worldly experiences that can only be gained by getting out of the United States. However important this may be to me, I did fall slightly behind in my schooling back home.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Strengths were their availability for help. Weaknesses were the open hours of the facilities.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	The apartment was great, although we had a mold problem due to the old buildings and extremely humid fall.
* Food:	I lived in Italy, of course the food is going to be great. We had to cook everything for ourselves though, or go out. No meal plan included.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	I never felt unsafe walking around in Florence, but in the length of the semester I contracted a head cold 5 times.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	No

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?
Language acquisition improvement?	I spoke Italian everyday, but most people still spoke English.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Apartment
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Bring some rainboots if you plan on studying in Florence! Also, it would be very smart to sit down and write out a budget before you go abroad. That is truly one thing I wish I had done.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Physics in the Daily Life
Course Department:	SM PH PL 300
Instructor:	Ted Metcalf
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This course was interesting, but not challenging. The classroom in which it was held was completely unacceptable for a physics class - or any class, for that matter. It was a room full of half-backed couches with no tables. We had to take our tests on clipboards. Other than that distraction, I enjoyed the ideas that were taught, but my brain wasn't tested that much. The professor knew his stuff though.
Credit Transfer Issues:	This course transferred as a science general university requirement. It matched with the "Physics in Society" at home.

Course Name/Rating:	Michelangelo/ Caravaggio/ Bernini Art History
Course Department:	LA AH HB 350
Instructor:	Jeremy Boudreau
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This was by far the best class I had at FUA. Also by far the greatest professor I've ever had. He made the course material even more interesting because of his enthusiasm and knowledge of the material. Taking a 16th-17th century art history class in the art mecca of the world was very rewarding. Instead of seeing slides of Caravaggio paintings, we just went to Rome to see them in person. Plus, Florence is a museum in and of itself, so many of the Michelangelo works we could see on our way to class.
Credit Transfer Issues:	This course transferred home as an Art/ Hist 3XX.

Course Name/Rating:	Beginning Italian
Course Department:	IS IT IB 101
Instructor:	Nada Stultus
Instruction Language:	English/ Italian
Comments:	This course didn't really have a structured form of teaching. I think I would've learned more with weekly vocabulary lists and weekly quizzes. This course (or any Italian course) was required to attend FUA.
Credit Transfer Issues:	This course will transfer as elective credits.

Course Name/Rating:	Intermediate Drawing
Course Department:	FA PD ID 220
Instructor:	Antonella Mercati
Instruction Language:	English/ Heavy Italian accent. Some language barrier problems.
Comments:	I came to Florence to draw and get better, and be challenged by my class. I was extremely disappointed. Because of my prior instruction, I was well above the level of the class (as well as the advanced class, since they were taught together) and I was not challenged by my professor. It was frustrating coming to Florence to be humbled in the arts, and have it turn out the other way around.
Credit Transfer Issues:	This course will hopefully transfer for the match course back home. I will likely have to petition.