Florence changed my life! Past Review
By Olivia S (School of Interior Design, University of Kentucky) for
ISA Study Abroad in Florence, Italy
ISA helped me to feel comfortable and at home in Florence almost immediately upon arrival. They didn't leave anything out of our orientation and offered numerous activities throughout the semester to get us involved with them in Florence and during our excursions. From the moment I got my acceptance letter til the time I flew home, everything was thought out and planned to the tiniest detail. Very comforting for my first extended stay abroad. I have become aware and appreciative of other cultures around the world and realize that I can have amazing experiences!
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. |
Work load was much less than at my university at home. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everything seemed to run very smoothly within the program. The ISA girls were always very helpful with whatever we needed. We had all of their phone numbers and could contact them anytime with questions or problems. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Florence was experiencing abnormal amounts of rain and we ended up having a slight mold issue towards the end of the stay. |
| * Food: |
The meal plan at FUA for the student restaurant was fantastic! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I loved our excursions to Verona, Rome, Assisi and San Gimignano! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Use a purse that straps over your head so you can keep your things in front of you at all times. Pickpocketers could be seen everywhere in Florence, especially the gypsies. They work in teams! Try to figure out on a map where you are going before heading out so you can walk like you know where you are going and don't look like a tourist. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Most Italians could tell that we were Americans and wanted to speak English with us. A friend of mine tried to use Italian at the market one day and got yelled at by the merchant because when he answered back, she didn't know what he was saying. He told her if she wasn't fluent, to not even try. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Absolutely everything was taken care of through ISA. The program ran very smoothly and it seemed as if they thought of everything from saftey orientations to the city and walking tours once we got to Florence, to pamphlets about our excursions with maps and helpful information. If you want an international experience that is very well organized and is there to help you, ISA is it. |
