The most rewarding and life changing experience I have ever had! Past Review
By A student (Public Relations & Dance Performance, Illinois State University) - abroad from 01/29/2013 to 05/17/2013 with
Lorenzo de' Medici – Florence
I learned how to better adapt to things when I don't have wifi or how to communicate when you can't speak another language! So 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. |
More laid back than at home, however, papers could be intensive and too long for a specific topic. Resources were easy for the most part, teachers understood great english except Italian teacher. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Very good location, survived, big apartment, just smelled from the washer and dryer and gets very dusty. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Never saw the healthcare but did struggle with allergies. |
| * Safety: |
I always held on to my purse and belongings but never actually got pick pocketed. Just don't have your things out and unzipped for people to look into. |
| 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) |
Always brought 100 euro with me on weekends for trips and spent about 30 euro on groceries for the week and would eat out maybe once a week and gelato twice a week. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50euro, depends if I went on a trip for the weekend! |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | set a budget to bring on each trip and how much you want to spend total for al your trips. |
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? | took three years of spanish, but non italian. This was my first italian course. |
| 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? | Try to practice a lot with people in the town and when your out to dinner! Practice with friends, it's fun. |
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? | School supplies is expensive! Bring all of your clothes and give your parents some halfway through if they are able to visit. That i was going to feel so comfortable here! Don't be nervous! |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
