Underrated Firenze Past Review

By Loretta H (Psychology, University of California - Santa Barbara) for

Lorenzo de' Medici – Florence

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

Got to experience the Italy that everyone imagines in their mind. The program adviser was phenomenal. Everything considered-- price, life adjustments, etc-- choosing to do Florence through GSE was definitely one of the best decisions I have made in college.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	Credits do not automatically transfer, there is no guarantee. Work load is very light compared to UCSB. Grading is fair. Teaching method more off-the-book.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Basically only had one administrator but she went above and beyond, and was very well-trained and knowledgeable. Could not have picked a better person to take on these duties-- she made the trip!
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Safe neighborhood, nice apartment with a very Italian feel-- lived in the same complex as other international students as well as Italian families. Everything was included although we did have to go to Ikea to buy lamps, extra bedding for winter, etc.
* Food:	Since the program leader got to pick the restaurants, the food was PHENOMENAL. I am a vegetarian and I never had a problem when we went out to eat as a group-- my needs were always accommodated to.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Really got to know the Tuscany region with the weekend trips that were included. Each one was unique in its own way and there was something that would appeal to everyone-- whether it was more athletic-based, food & drink based, arts based-- there was a wide range of options.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	Florence is pretty safe because of how small it is. Never had a safety-related incident. No vaccines needed. Doctors will make house-calls.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes

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?	Everyone is willing to practice Italian with you. Most people did speak English but were glad when you would use Italian instead.

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 did you like most about the program?	Weekend trips Diversity in trips Adviser
* What could be improved?	Not a lot of help on figuring out the step-by-step process done in America Wish credits transferred
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	If you are looking for the quintessential ITALIA experience, choose Florence over any other Italian city. It's big enough so you can enjoy the hustle and bustle of life, but small enough to feel intimate with your fellow Firenze-ans. And the Tuscany region cannot be beat.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Psychology of Crime
Course Department:	PSY
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Interesting, although may be very easy for someone who is a psychology major because there is a lot of introduction of very basic psychological phenomena. Main focus is on American serial killers.
Credit Transfer Issues:	Don't plan on credits transferring-- it is not guaranteed.

Course Name/Rating:	Italian 1
Course Department:	ITAL 1
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Italian
Comments:	Very engaging, great way to get an introduction to Italian. I wish I could remember my teachers' name.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Astrology and Alchemy
Course Department:	PHIL
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Engl
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Public Relations
Course Department:	COMM
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	Introductory course to the history of Public Relations. More of an England-focus, but still pertinent to American studies.
Credit Transfer Issues: