Florence: A Place Where I Found Myself Past Review
By Gabriella G (Communication and Media Studies., University of the Pacific) for
Lorenzo de' Medici – Florence
I would do study abroad all over again if I could. I learned so much about Italian culture and mostly about myself. I learned to become independent and how to deal with things that are unfamiliar to me.
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 workload was very light but I assumed that it would be. The grading system was fair and much like the grading system here in the states. I really enjoyed my teachers and I made good bonds with them. They were great instructors especially considering that english is their second language. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I enjoyed many of my professors. I learned a lot from the teachers and their experiences as an Italian was a bonus to the teaching. The school was very informative about the programs that were available to students. However, for a student body that size, I feel that they needed to have more available spots for more students to participate in these events. It was hard to attend the ones that I was interested in because the sign-up list would always be full before I signed up. The staff was great, on the plus side. My first week was very confusing. But, they were always willing to help give directions to campus or class. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I chose to live with Italian students and find living arrangements on my own. I enjoyed living with these girls because I learned a lot about the language and culture of Italy. |
| * Food: |
Do not dine near the center of Florence. Try to explore as much as possible because the best Italian food is not found in the center of Florence. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There was a good amount of clubs and programs to get involved in but there was not enough space to host each club and room was very limited. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Florence was really safe. I would walk alone from bars at night and would feel very safe. Nobody ever harassed me while I was walking home alone. It was common for many of the other female students to walk home as well. Everybody felt safe. |
| 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? | 150dollars/wk. i spent a lot of money! Be more conscious when you go out not to spend all your money. You would like to save that money to travel as much as possible! |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | There were hidden costs when you first arrive in Italy to get fingerprinted. I do not remember how much it cost (probably around 150Euros). |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | N |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
The language department was lacking. Every student had to take atleast a beginners Italian course. However, i felt that it was not up to par with the language department here in the states. It was taught at a very slow pace. There was little time in class to practice oral speech. Most of the class time was dedicated to grammar and writing. However, the teacher that I had was great. She was understanding and a pleasure to have as a teacher. |
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? | Do not speak english. Try, as much as possible, to assimilate yourself into Italian culture. |
