My Semester In Italy Past Review
By Megan S (HISTORY., Illinois State University) for
Lorenzo de' Medici – Florence
It was so worth it. I learned so much about myself and life, that I never would have learned without this experience. I am so grateful for all of it. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
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. |
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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: |
There is a lot of pasta and not much else. You have to get creative sometimes and look for other things, but get ready to eat a lot of pasta. |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in Florence, I was also very aware of my surroundings the entire time I was there. You will be fine if you are smart and aware. |
| 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 $50-60 a week. That includes food, little expenses, going out, etc. I was also very careful with my money so I could travel a lot to other countries. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | everything is going to cost more than you plan for, get ready to spend a lot more than you think you're going to. Just be prepared for that. To save money, cook your meals, re-fill water bottles, walk everywhere, split things with people, and budget!! That helps a lot. When you travel places, stay in a hostel, they are very safe and cheap. Also, ask the people working there where to find the closest supermarket and stock up on food for the time you're staying there. You save a lot of money that way too. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I knew no Italian going into it. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I spoke italian with everyone, we all wanted to become good at it. The Italians would speak it with us and I used it everyday I was there. |
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?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | If you want to travel, study abroad. There is no other time in your life that you will have this opportunity. You will experience so many great things, meet so many awesome people, and nothing will ever compare. It will be the coolest thing you will ever do, so if you want to do it, do it. |
