Discovering Happiness within the Unknown Past Review
By michele.perchess (Special Education, Illinois State University) - abroad from 01/30/2012 to 05/11/2012 with
Lorenzo de' Medici – Florence
I learned how easy it is to travel and how happy traveling makes me. I also learned who I like to travel with and became much more confident figuring things out on my own. Finally, I learned a lot about so many different cultures.
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 classes were much easier than those at my home institution; however, the exams were more rigorous, the learning material was very interesting, and the teachers were great. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My advisor, Ambra Balzani, was exceptionally welcoming and helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Our particular landlord was rude and unhelpful; however, I wouldn't fault the school for this. |
| * Food: |
Within my cooking class, we made exceptional food. I didn't have any other experience with food at the school. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The school activities were very fun and helpful in integrating within the city. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any experiences in this area. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt safe within the school. |
| 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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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 250 euros (including weekend traveling) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Find a good balance between eating out at restaurants and buying food at the grocery store. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Language 112 (elementary 1) |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Talk with your friends in your apartment or while out in the language until you fell comfortable using it with everyone. |
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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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
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? | Traveling is so much easier than I originally thought. You just need to act smartly, be patient, and be a little low-maitenanced sometimes, and you can have a great time. |
