The most amazing experiences all in one semester Past Review

By A student (Graphic Design., University of the Pacific) - abroad from 08/30/2012 to 12/14/2012 with

Lorenzo de' Medici – Florence

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned a lot more about another culture and way of life and within the classes, specifically my photography class, I learned more styles of photography and gained more techniques. The whole experience was very worthwhile.

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.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	Very helpful and always available.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	The roommate matching was good and the apartment was good but it seemed sort of out of date compared to other apartments I went to.
* Food:	We made our own food and I didn't eat food from the school.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	There were plenty of opportunities to go to activities within the city that was part of the local culture.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	They gave us emergency contacts within the school and places that were good with American students/spoke english
* Safety:	Overall I felt safe walking around, guys would yell at girls but I never felt physically threatened. Mostly just need to be careful about pick-pocketers when walking around, but I also never had any incidents with that.
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)	Because of the euro to dollar exchange is not a good deal for Americans, I definitely had to watch what I spending all the time. I was still able to spend a lot of fun things and shopping but I still had to watch every dollar spent and what I was buying for food. I tried to shop for the least expensive things.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Watch prices and try to find the markets/grocery stores with the lower prices. Really budget money in the beginning so that you don't run out towards the end, saw that happen with many students.

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	Because all classes but the Italian language class were in English I didn't have to use Italian a lot and while out around the town I used it more towards the end of the semester but many people spoke a little english too.
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?	Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	none
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?	Use it all the time when you're out. Don't resort to English. If you can get by with even a little bit of the language use it and don't be scared to make mistakes when speaking it, most people know you're American and trying.

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?	0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	learning Italian activities offered living arrangements
* What could be improved?	placements of apartments from campus
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I felt pretty prepared from the class at UOP and I also had a friend that had gone to the same programs that told me a lot. Nothing really threw me off when I got there.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.	The Outright Urbanite A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Publishing Design
Course Department:	Graphic Design
Instructor:	Paolo Ghielmetti
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	The professor was great and ran the class more as a firm than so much a class. We worked in groups, which was difficult at times but it also introduced what we would be dealing with once we begin working as designers after graduating.
Credit Transfer Issues: