3 weeks in Florence has introduced me to a world of opportunities and a whole new direction! Past Review
By Kathleen I (Communication and Media Studies., Pittsburg State University) for
ISA Study Abroad in Florence, Italy
It's more than worth it! I considered myself internationally aware prior to my abroad experience, but nothing can give you a true international perspective about the world, another country, and even about The United state of America until you experience it. It has truly changed me in a number of ways with how I view things, with what I want for my future, and with the career path I plan to take. Even if you don't plan to have a career regarding any type of international affairs, studying abroad will open yours eyes in ways you would never imagine. It could be with your personal life, your educational decisions, your awareness of the world, or even a new hobby. Financial issues should never be an excuse because scholarships, financial aid, outside loans, or small-short term programs are all options to choose from.
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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. |
Just like in the U.S. the educational experience will always vary depending on the course and the instructor. I had friends that spoke about their more sophisticated professors. I also had friends that said they learned a lot of interesting information, but the course work was not too challenging. Overall I didn't hear of any student who was completely disappointed. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
ISA made the study abroad process very stress-free. They were at the airport waiting for me when I arrived and at the airport directing me to my gate when I left. I was never lost in a foreign country not knowing what to do because they helped guide me every step of the way. The ISA faculty were also very helpful when I had any questions or needed advice about where I should vist or what I should try, when exploring on my own time. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The apartments ISA provided for their students were extremely satisfying. In Florence everyone lived in different buildings around the city, but the longest distance between apartments was a 10 minute walk. The styles of apartments varied, but all included the necessities of a fridge, stove, washer, microwave, etc. |
| * Food: |
There are many options for food with the variety of all the supermarkets and open air markets. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The only thing I wish I would have done was meet more of the locals. Going to an all American university was good for making new friends from all different states, but made it a little difficult to meet locals my age. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Just like in the U.S. people will pick-pocket you, but most other countries are different in the sense of public safety. You can never put a bag down anywhere and expect it to be safe. You should always carry your bags on the front of you opposed to on your back. With most restaurants having outside dining, always keep your purse in your lap. On trains and other busy public places, be cautious. Americans are known for being the most trusting, which makes us a big target. ISA prepares you about all the safety precautions. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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
| 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?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Studying abroad is something every American should be required to experience because you really have no clue what else is out there until you experience it first hand. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Magazine Writing |
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| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Going into this course I was nervous about it's level of difficulty. I took this course because it was the only one I could transfer back to receive course credit at my home university. I have previously had the general writing courses, but I was not in journalism so I didn't know what to expect. I was relieved when I met my extremely welcoming instructor and found out we would be reading and writing all the articles during class time. Having work outside of the classroom allowed for more time to explore the city of Florence. Class was usually cut short depending on how much time you required to complete the assignment. The instructor taught us about Italy and the city of Florence by assigning articles regarding its history, attractions, local life, and so much more. Having an instructor who was from Italy but taught in English was extremely beneficial in the learning experience. |
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