Firenze Spring Semester Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I did not find the classes challenging enough, though I did enjoy the subject material. I think that we could have covered much more material more thoroughly in the time that we had, and it would have been enjoyable to have that information and experience to take home. Additionally, most classes required a large amount materials specific for the course to be purchased, and could become overwhelmingly expensive. The course subjects available however were incredibly diverse, and all the classes that I took stood out as some of the most enjoyable that I have taken in my college career.

On-site administration of your program

The administrators of this program are very approachable; most of them are also relatively young and very exuberant people and are easy to talk to about whatever issues or concerns you may have. However, the processing of any problems will be done in the Italian style: slowly, with little information along the way.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The student apartments are all fairly nice; I visited many different LdM housing locations during my stay. However, one issue I found consistently was that they roomed based on geographic location from which the students hailed, rather than personality assessments or academic factors, and this led to most apartments having 3 or 4 students from one school, who often got along well enough, and one student from a location which stood out and who was therefore isolated and spurned. Though some groups managed to come to some form of agreement, my entire semester was spent in turmoil feuding with my roommates; and I know of another friend who was treated similarly and who received the silent treatment from all 3 of her roommates for over 2 months. I think this is a serious issue that needs resolved, because it destroys the enjoyment if you do not have a comfortable place to come home and relax in the evenings.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Though by the end of my stay I could converse in Italian to some extent, since I did not have prior experience with the language, it was very difficult to feel at all connected to the natives. Additionally, unless you were fairly fluent in the language, most Italians did not want to converse with you; they would tell you to speak English with them, and quickly complete whatever action might have occurred before moving on. Italians also tend to be very private and avoid tourists, so it is generally difficult to find a time and place to associate with them without, as I said before, having a high level of fluency. However, there were exceptions to this, and some people were very happy at any attempts made. In general, I would suggest venturing to places that seem far out of the way; asking for directions from locals if and when you get lost; and talking to your professors and advisors about good places to go to meet locals and learn about the community.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Though it is often made out as a very scary place, with pickpockets and rapists and thieves, I never really felt uncomfortable or unsafe walking around Florence. I brought a safety wallet which strapped around my chest, though I quickly began using a normal, local purse upon the realization that it made me stand out more and therefore more like to attract the attention of the Gypsies than carrying a purse and attempting to blend in with the look of the locals. As long as you attempt to blend in, and keep your mind on your belongings, I doubt you will have any problems. However, if you do not wear local fashions, you will attract much attention; and sometimes scorn, in the streets. I learned this lesson well when the first day of 'nice; weather came around, and at 72 degrees, I decided it would be nice to wear a skirt, blouse, and blazer. Though the outfit itself was perfectly acceptable, apparently Italians do not consider it skirt weather until it is around 100 degrees outside, so I had many people stop to gawk or glare at me in the street, and still others attempt to follow me. Men in Italy are very much more straightforward than in the US, and can be incredibly intimidating, though if you tell them no and do not look them in the eye, they are generally respectful of your wishes.

I loved my experience in Italy in its own way, but considering the issues which arose due to my being incompletely prepared for the trip - given the option to do so with foresight - I would likely reconsider and instead travel to Japan as I had originally intended from my freshman year but diverted my plans last-minute due to the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdown of the daiichi reactor. These events require more devoted preparation and planning than can truly be done in such a short span, and knowledge of the language and culture (before arrival) to truly integrate and appreciate fully.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Again, there were so many hidden fees that I was absolutely overwhelmed upon my immediate arrival; and the cost of food alone, not counting the very necessary cost of items to help acclimate and fit in as well as the cost of entertainment, was insane.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Though using the language was encouraged, our class met infrequently; only a couple days a week, and so often the other students had forgotten the material, and the lesson had to be set back a bit to review the old material before moving on.

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• Apartment

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• Americans

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• Americans

• personal exploration
• cultural learning
• historical locale

• roommate placement
• roommate placement
• roommate placement

The Academic or Linguist