An experience everyone must try. Past Review
By Taylor G (Studio Arts, Illinois State University) - abroad from 01/30/2013 to 05/16/2013 with
Lorenzo de' Medici – Florence
Tolerance, Patience, Acceptance, Social skills, an better understanding of american culture, practical skills etc...
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. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I wish the host country allowed for more local interaction. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The health issues were not addressed appropriately, in my opinion. 40 euros is too much for a harmless check up. |
| * Safety: |
very safe overall |
| 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? | around 2,500 american dollars including my travel. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | buy the fruits and vegetables at the conads. do not go out to eat too often. buy a re-usable bag for grocery shopping. |
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 |
I am an Italian Minor so I was very interested in using the language. I was overall disappointed in the material we were learning. the material was not practical while living in the city. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| 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? | Intermediate 3 Italian |
| 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 spend a decent amount of time in the country side of Tuscany, where English is not as common...but still available if needed. |
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?
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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? | nothing, i liked figuring things out as i went. |
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! |
