Study Abroad Past Review
By A student (Illinois State University) - abroad from 08/27/2012 to 12/15/2012 with
Lorenzo de' Medici – Florence
Adult living. International Politics. Worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It was harder material and less projects but the assignments required more thinking and effort. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were very helpful and gave you plenty of tips. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had a really nice apartment that was located in walking distance of all of my classes. I just wish it was less expensive! |
| * Food: |
I cooked most of my meals and ate out occasionally. Italian cuisine is very bland. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Florence is a city full of tourist so sometimes it didn't even feel like I was anywhere different. Other times I felt like a complete outsider. It really depended on where I went. The farther you got away from the city center, the more you were in Italian culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any issues but one of my friends sprained her ankle pretty badly on a LdM fieldtrip and the teachers for that trip did not help her at all. |
| * Safety: |
Probably just as safe as Normal, IL. To be honest, I felt safer there than I do here. People just use common sense and you'll be fine. |
| 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 was already tight on money so you have to make some sacrifices to participate in other activities. If it meant raemen everyday for one week, then so be it. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be smart. Plan ahead. |
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? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | Go to class. Participate in activities. Study. |
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? |
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? | To not bring any clothes and to just wear the same outfit everyday. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
