Making new friends in Florence Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Thw work load was reasonable, the grading system fair. The teaching was more relaxed than american style, it often was based around a project or activity within a group and the professor generally joined in to help, it was a lot of fun.

On-site administration of your program

The housing department was difficult, and my advisor in Italy was less than helpful, but I found I didn't need them much at all. The professors and Italian department administration was EXTREMELY helpful and absolutely wonderful

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a beautiful apartment right near the duomo on Via Calziuoli. It was absolutely perfect. A complete dream! Unfortunately our water pump broke towards the end, and our oven never worked, but they did supply us with a toaster oven which was good. on the down side there was construction being done on the otherside of the street the entire time we were there, so it was noisy 7am-9pm every day. we got used to it though <br /><br /> Again the house was wonderful we lived above 2 hotels so i never felt unsafe. I shared a room with a girl from NY and they really paired us well, we became great friends. However our other two roommates were from Holland and even though they were very nice, they were only 17 and too young to be placed with us (we were 21) we had some challenges with the age difference, but we worked through it. It was a short 10 minute walk to class, beautiful, and close to all the shops, nightlife, just everything, very centralized. I did not appreciate the house admin though, they seemed to come without announcing themselves whenever they pleased.

We shopped at STANDA- (a grocery store) and Mercato Centrale- (open air market) The food was fresher and better than ever me and my roommate cooked together every day, i ate healthier in italy than i do in america, the food was just incredible and the shopping experiences was even better, walking to the market, haggling with the farmers, you made friends with the people who gave you deals and it was just so much fun! I rarely ate out, but we did love Kisch it is an aperativo.. 8 euro for one drink and all you can eat buffet... sooo good!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The bars were fun, the clubs were horrible (then again I dont really like clubs, but my roommates enjoyed a few of them) but really the best part was just the streets at night, they are filled with musicians and performers so we would go find new ones every night drink some wine and listen!

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Sometimes at night i didnt feel safe walking through the streets alone, but that was because it was a city, i would have felt that way in any city. I never had to deal with any health isssue so i was pretty lucky that way

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

I came knowing very basic skills... I left conversationally fluent. The only thing that could have been better would be if my roommates had been Italian speaking, I spent all day in class learning, then out in the markets and around town using the language but when i got home to my apt in italy I would have to go back using english for my roommates who didnt speak italian.

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• International Students
• Americans

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• International Students