One of the best and more thrilling experiences of my life Past Review
By Michael Joncich (Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/12/2018 to 06/01/2018 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Florence
I'm more comfortable being out of my comfort zone
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? |
The host family was very unpleasant. They were often rude and it was clear they only host for the money. |
| * Food: |
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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: |
Florence is a very safe place. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I had a good time |
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) |
It was't too tough. I didn't travel as much as I would have liked but I ate very well. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Probably about 100 dollars on food and expenses per week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The hardest part was the living expense. It was about 900 euros per month |
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 |
Language pledge was mentioned frequently. I enjoyed speaking Italian outside of the classroom |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 300 level 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 meet some locals and avoid spots that strictly american students visit |
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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| 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? | i don't know man |
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.' |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
The Italian Conquest |
| Course Department: | Italian |
| Instructor: | Tacchi |
| Instruction Language: | Italian |
| Comments: | Many of the topics were taught in a previous Italian course at Middlebury. Besides that I thought Professor Tacchi did an excellent job. I would say I participated in this class much more than previous italian courses. Every week we would have a write-up. We also had a midterm exam and final project. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
