One Month Abroad In Florence, I Want To Go Back! Past Review
By Marvin P (Biochemistry, Saginaw Valley State University) for
ISA Study Abroad in Florence, Italy
I did not give it 5 stars because of a couple major things: the mosquitos and lack of screens in our apartment; the mandatory language class; and most importantly because the study abroad was only a month long
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. |
Classes were taught by SVSU faculty so the classes were very similar to a 300 level class taught on campus but instead they were in Florence! The Italian language class was a little pointless seeing as we were only there a month and there was no credit for it yet it was mandatory. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The debreifing when we first arrived was somewhat annoying and pointless because we had just gotten off a 18hour plane ride. Anyways, our guide set up by the program was great. She spoke English well and was very patient with some of the kids in our group. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Being so humid, you would think there would be screens on the windows so you could open them at night... nope. Over the first week I probably got close to 100 mosquito bites! Finally we found some bug spray and things were alright. Other than that, the apartment was great; walking distance from all the major sites in Florence, washer and cloths line, private patio, spacious rooms, and two bathrooms for the five of us. |
| * Food: |
Kababs, Kababs, Kababs! These were like the fast food of Florence and they are amazing and cheap. As far as restaurants, it was about 50:50 whether you would get something worth what you pay. We ended up doing alot of grocery shopping for meals and that worked out good... spicy salami and asiago sandwiches on freshly baked bread for lunches! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Most of the trips outside of florence were arranged by our class and those all turned out well. Never had any problems with the museum/church visits set up by the program. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The first night there I ended up getting lost all alone and that was the only time I ever felt unsafe. Of course it is somewhate of a tourist trap so you have to watch out for the usual theifery. Within a week everyone pretty much knew the city by heart. As far and health issues, I did not have any problems except for mosquito bites. |
| 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? |
With it only being a month long study abroad, by time we learned much of value in the language course the trip was over. Most times people spoke English, the two most useful phrases were "mi scusi" and "mi dispache" |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | This was a great program, the one month length of time is a little short because by time you get out of tourist mode you have to leave. Nevertheless, this was an wonderful trip; I met people that I am friends with to this day and I highly recommend it for any person in any field of study (this is coming from a biochemistry major that went on a fine arts study abroad). |
