Florence:An Unforgettable Experience Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload was very manageable. I was able to take classes that counted for my GE requirements and minor. The teachers were very helpful and I never felt overworked. I was able to travel during weekends as well.

On-site administration of your program

We were assigned to an adviser according to our study abroad program. I absolutely loved my adviser. She was extremely helpful and understood exactly how we felt because she is from the states, but she is also fluent in Italian and had lived in Italy. The program size is nice and small for more personal interaction and attention. I really enjoyed my experience. I just wish we had more programs to get all the Athena study abroad students together in Florence.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I absolutely was satisfied with the people I lived with. I requested to be with them and the program is really good about putting the student into what they want; be it home stay, apartment with friends or people they don't know (so they can meet new people). I always felt safe at any hour of the day or night. I was spoiled and got an awesome apartment overlooking the arno river, next to ponte vecchio. I did not have to buy sheets or cookware (basics) because they were already provided. We did have some problems with showers, refrigerators, and gas not working. A positive to that is we would contact the landlord and they were pretty good about promptly fixing the problems. Some of the problems we would figure it out ourselves.

We would cook our own food or go out and eat and let me tell you, Italian food = the bomb.com!!! It can get pretty pricey if you go out a lot so we ended up eating in a lot. Most of us took cooking classes, so we were able to show our new found cooking skills. We would get our ingredients from the mercato centrale. They were always nice and fresh.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We had two field trips that were included in the our program. I went to the French Rivera (Monaco, Nice, and Cannes)and to Southern Italy(Pompeii, Capri and Sorrento). Both trips were two days and it was insane how much they packed in there. I couldn't believe that it was only two days and I saw so much!!

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Florence is safe. I am from a highly populated city, so the noise (which at night comes from mostly Americans and the police sirens) was never a problem. Everyone in my apartment including me got sick at one point during the semester. Some had to just go to the pharmacy and get medication (which was easily accessible), and some had to actually go to a doctor, which was I guess an experience that the program didn't talk to us about fully, because we get sick at different times and we have to deal with it immediately when it happens.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I did live in an apartment with other people that went to the same college as me. I took Italian 101 and that gave me great tools in being able to just get around the city in general. After a month or so being there, I felt very comfortable venturing out on my own. I did take classes in English, but outside of class when eating out and walking around Florence, I encouraged myself to speak Italian as much as possible.

Select all that apply

• Apartment

Select all that apply

• Americans

• The experience it allowed me to have
• Apartment Location!
• Field Trips

• What to do if you get sick (dealing with the doctors)
• More Athena student get togethers