Florence- Best Experience of My Life Past Review
By Lauren B (Nursing., Illinois State University) for
Lorenzo de' Medici – Florence
VERY worthwhile. I gained an appreciation and respect of other cultures that I didn't have before. Studying abroad has made me want to work overseas in the future.
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. |
The teaching methods are much more relaxed abroad. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Library- not very welcoming; hours for printing center should be open earlier and later |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
felt very safe, GREAT location- close to everything |
| * Food: |
Eat at home the majority of the time, and go out for dinners on the weekends. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Capri field trip was the BEST- The Tuscany field trip was disappointing for all- paid a lot of money and all we did was walk around small towns- wine tasting and cheese tasting- The views were GREAT, but they should either charge less or include more... |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Florence felt very safe, I never had any problems. Mostly the only crime is pick pocketing in clubs. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50 Euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Spent more money on groceries than I thought I would |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | nothing |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Most people spoke English |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | EVERY type of student would benefit from study abroad. One must be willing though to feel uncomfortable and silly at times, one must also try to be outgoing. |
