Indescribable, Awesome, and an eye-opener. Past Review
By A student (Illinois State University) - abroad from 01/25/2012 to 05/12/2012 with
Lorenzo de' Medici – Florence
Travelling experience, both solo and within a group.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Excellent. All knowledge gained was very ineresting but not too challenging and difficult. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Great, all was very organized. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had a very nice apartment and so did all of my friends from what I saw. |
| * Food: |
I was in Italy. I don't think it needs further explanation. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Was happy everybody spoke english for the majority but was displeased at the behavior of the Italian men. They were rude and insensitive |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
health care was taken care of but not nearly at the rate or the efficiency as it would be in the U.S. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt safe in Florence. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
Very hard. I depleted my entire savings account |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be wise, and do not go all crazy in the beginning. Then agin remember this is a once and a life time oppurtunity so don't be so frugal either. |
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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 4 years throughout high school |
| 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? | practice with every oppurtunity you have. Because when you're home, you won't be able to. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| 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? |
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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? | I would have brought better clothes!... We had a brutal winter that wasn't expected. |
