Life Changing! Past Review
By A student (Accounting, Bentley University) - abroad from 01/22/2013 to 05/16/2013 with
Lorenzo de' Medici – Florence
I learned much more about what it is to be a global citizen. In addition, I learned more about my family roots. It was the best experience of my life!
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. |
Had some very good teachers. I did a lot of reading for my classes, and a lot of busy work. I was not expecting that, but it was tolerable. |
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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? |
I lived in a home stay. They are like my second family now. I loved every minute of it. |
| * Food: |
It is Italy. The food is AMAZING! |
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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? |
I had no problems and did not need any new shots to come abroad. |
| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
Europe is very expensive. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100+ Euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan your trips as early as possible. Start saving early! |
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? | 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? | Elementary 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? | Do not feel shy. Italians want to help you and want you to learn. Always try to practice with them. |
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?
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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 knew more about the travel companies. I did not use them in the beginning and would have saved more money if I did. Also Italy has a shop for everything. Every store is specialized. so sometime you need to go to five stores to get everything you need. Target does not exist, and many do not use Google maps to put their stores on the map. You have to talk to locals to find what you are looking for. |
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.' |
