An Amazing and Unforgetable Adventure Throughout Europe Past Review
By A student (Accounting, Bentley University) - abroad from 08/30/2012 to 12/15/2012 with
Lorenzo de' Medici – Florence
It was absolutely worthwhile. I learned to be much more independent and how to navigate myself through foreign countries. I only had myself to depend on (and the friends I made there). It was the most meaningful experience I've had by far.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I thought it was great! The difficulty level of my classes was perfect for the amount of traveling I was doing. I loved all my teachers too and their English was great as well (for the most part) |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Sabina was awesome!! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host mom, Anastasia Devetta, was the sweetest lady. She made me feel so comfortable! Her son was amazing, and invited us to his home for dinner parties, and her grandchildren came over a decent amount as well which was great!! They were adorable as well. I miss the family so much! |
| * Food: |
Anastasia was an AMAZING cook!! I loved all her food |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt really comfortable with the culture and walking around the city. Everyone was so friendly and I felt as though I learned a lot about the Italian culture while i was there |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Great! I had a UTI while I was there and I was easily able to treat it. I didn't have to pay a cent. |
| * Safety: |
Overall i felt as though it was safe. I was with someone when she got robbed, and it was quite a traumatic experience, however for the most part I felt safe |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
I traveled quite a bit. Excluding traveling, I lived on only about 50 a week. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About 50, Unless I was traveling. Including the costs of my trips each weekend, I probably spent around 300 per week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I kept a log of everything I spent money on, so I was inclined to spend less because I constantly saw how much money I was using. |
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 |
My Italian class was entirely taught in Italian! |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | One semester of beginners Italian (Italian 101) |
| 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? | ROSETTA STONE |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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 wish I had kept a blog. I also wish I knew how difficult it would be to get from Florence to Rome to get home. I would have planned that differently coming home |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
