Florence: most fulfilling semester of my college career so far Past Review
By Kaitlyn W (Environmental and Interior Design, Illinois State University) for
Lorenzo de' Medici – Florence
Yes, I am more culturally and geographically aware and I have the "travel bug"- I want to see everything now! I am more independent and able to do things more easily now because I have overcome some of my shyness. I am also very comfortable getting around strange cities now, when before I would have been very timid and not willing to go by myself.
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. |
The workload was not overwhelming, and they teachers were always willing to help. |
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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 always felt very safe, and the walk to class was not bad at all, 15 minutes tops. I did not need to buy anything to settle in, there was plenty available to us that came in the apartment. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Some of my favorite trips that we had over the semester were the ones that included in our tuition from ISU which included Pompeii, Sorrento and Capri and the Tuscany field trip. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Overall I felt very safe in Florence, but never walk alone at night just like here at ISU and be careful of your purse and personal belongings at all times- picking pocketing is a real big issue! I was sick when I first arrived and I went to an English speaking doctor and had no problem getting the help I needed. |
| 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? | It varied greatly and food was slightly more expensive there because it came in smaller quantities and didn't last as long. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | You will have to pay for a permit of stay which costs about 150 Euro. |
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? | None. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
With people in the environment and in the classroom. Most people spoke English so I didn't have a huge problem, but it was when we got out of the big cities that we had more of a problem. |
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? | Anyone who is looking for a smaller "big" city feel , Florence is very condensed. If you're thinking about it and wonder if you'll regret it..I promise you won't. |
