Everyone must study abroad!! Past Review
By Lydia B (Speech Pathology, Illinois State University) - abroad from 02/04/2013 to 05/16/2013 with
Lorenzo de' Medici – Florence
I grew up a lot and became a lot more independent. I was really homesick at first but once I got over that it was the best experience of my life.
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. |
The education wasn't too difficult, it was just difficult living here with so much freedom and activities. It was hard to balance school and recreation. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Overall they were good. My roommates and I had a particular situation with one of our roommates and we addressed the administration multiple times and they did not take us seriously and as a result we were very frustrated. Nothing happened until our parents got involved when in reality, action should have been taken long before. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Great location and attentive landlord. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Florence full of Americans and in restaurants, stores, etc, they speak English so I didn't have a chance to try my Italian. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I never once felt unsafe during the day or night. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 60 |
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? | 4 years of Latin in high school |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | immerse yourself in the culture |
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
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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? | 0 |
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? | That the heat in the apartments isn't good. That there is no air conditioning in the summer. That restaurants don't split checks. That you have to pay for water. |
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. |
