Surreal Semester Past Review
By Hannah D (Illinois State University) - abroad from 01/22/2012 to 05/22/2012 with
Lorenzo de' Medici – Florence
The world is huge. It was the greatest experience of my life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It was very hard to balance classes with traveling. It was so tempting to go and explore new things instead of staying in and studying. This is what was most difficult about academics while abroad. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Awesome! Our advisor, Ambra, was the nicest and was very quick with great answers to questions. Loved her! |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Our apartment was very nice--the internet could have been better |
| * Food: |
omnomnom |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt surrounded by Americans and English |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
didn't really deal with this |
| * Safety: |
No problems |
| 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) |
Spent alot while traveling |
| * 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? | 100 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan your trips early and figure out a budget for foodshopping |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
|
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 4 years of Spanish |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | surround yourselves with Italians, or speak it for fun with friends |
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
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | A little bit of Italian |
