Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Time of my life!!! Past Review

By (Criminal Justice and Corrections., Illinois State University) - abroad from 05/24/2012 to 06/24/2012 with

Lorenzo de' Medici – Florence

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Being of Italian heritage I feel proud to have lived like a true Italian.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I had the time of my life studying in Tuscania. I was able to see true Italian culture.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The advisors at LdM Tuscania were amazing. Anything that you needed they were there to help you.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The apartment that I stayed at was the nicest out of my group but the set up was not the best. My room was on the 4th floor but my shower was on the 1st floor which was annoying to keep going up and down stairs. Also we were the only apartment that did not having wi-fi. We had to use a internet card that did not work well.

* Food:

Having meal passes for places in town was nice. The downside was that most of the places were take away and not sit down. The sit down places had better food options.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt like I was living like a true Italian. The language barrier was more difficult than I thought it would be. In Tuscania there are very few people that know English and me not knowing much Italian was challenging.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I never felt that I had to watch my back or the felling of danger.

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)

4. I was in a cooking class that allowed me to eat lunch everyday and we had meal passes for dinner. The only money I spent was on personl expenses.

* 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? $150 but I wasn't really on a tight budget

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
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? Take a beginner language course

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

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Not being in the big city
  • The easy pace of life
* What could be improved?
  • Nothing major
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Busses don't run on Sunday's. Very little English in Tuscania.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Current Trends in Italian Cuisine
Course Department:
Instructor: G. Franci
Instruction Language: English
Comments: If you want to learn how Italians live this is the class that you want. Chef Franci was one of the best intructors I've ever had. He tought us what true Italian culture is and how you cant find them in places like Rome and Florence.
Credit Transfer Issues: My credits transfer back to my host institution