Language and Pasta Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The courses were amazing! I wouldn't say that they were overwhelmingly hard. Art history and of course beginner Italian was a little more rigorous than Italian Contemporary society. I really enjoyed learning about where I was while I was living there. There's nothing like seeing the art. Also, I loved all of my teachers!

On-site administration of your program

Everyone was so nice and helpful. When ever I had extra questions about the extra trips, or needed assistance finding routes to my school, they were more than happy. Professor Rosa Cuda, head of the program made herself available to any student who needed assistance or wanted help, and I took her up on it.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My host mom, Maria, was so nice! The only weird thing was that when it wasn't my hour to be in the kitchen, such as breakfast and dinner, I could not use the kitchen. I think that was the set up in a lot of homes, but it was a little weird. I even couldn't go in and get a drink of water or use the hot water heater. I'm sure if I asked once or if if I was sick, but it definitely wasn't open to me at all hours like I truly lived there. That's because I chose the option where I get meals 5 times a week. And Maria was a wonderful cook! So, not being able to use the kitchen evened out with wonderful food and Italian conversation at dinner. It was also nice to know that I'm coming home to people who cared about me and wanted to make me feel comfortable, especially after a hard day. So, yea, there's rules and you don't live in the house like your own house. But I highly recommend it over living in an apartment style living. It's just totally different and you get an inside view of another culture. Also, I'm still in contact with my host family. Who knows, maybe I'll see them again when I return.

I always say I came to Italy for two things, to learn Italian and to eat a lot of pasta. And I think I achieved those goals. The food in Italy was amazing. They don't do other countries' food well, though. So don't go to Italy and think you'll get good sushi when you're sick of pasta. Sure, maybe in Milan, or some newer restaurants in Florence. But for the most part, the best and always satisfying bet is Italian. You'll be sick of pasta and pizza, but even their bad pizza is America's good pizza.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It of course was hard to integrate with the local culture as a foreigner who was a beginner with the language. I did a lot of people watching. Also, I am Chinese, so I certainly didn't blend in as well as my peers who weren't Chinese or a person of colour. But, I did find my favorite cafe and made friends with the worker there who knew my lunch order. That is one of the small joys. When you do start to feel like a local, or at least an ex-pat American living abroad. Also, when you return you'll be even more ready for the culture that after a month or so became like a home or another culture in your toolbox to be able to live in.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Luckily, I didn't have any major health issues. The school was great about telling us about our insurance and explaining doctors etc. There were no mental health services offered, but I leaned on my professors and Dr. Rosa Cuda to help trouble shoot or just be someone to talk to. They make themselves available and when you're open to talking to them, they are also open to talking to you.

Overall, Florence is a pretty safe city. I would say use the same street sense that you use if you're walking around NYC. It might be a little harder because of the language difference. Don't make your wallet readily open for people. Don't carry one of those phone cases with your credit cards and cash and everything all in one. Because one person had that stolen and she was stuck. Everything was in that small phone case. Keep things seperate. Even when some people felt safe walking home alone at night, I opted to take a taxi. I didn't grow up in a city so I know I can look easier like a target. I didn't take any chances. People will be interested in you because you're a foreigner. It's obvious. Even if you don't wear white sneakers and don't speak a word of English, just like we can tell a non-American often, they can tell a non-Italian. So, people might approach you for money, or one person tried to start a convo with me in the park, and then he asked if I wanted his number to meet up again tomorrow. I said no, and walked away. I don't know what his intentions were, but it's better safe than sorry. So, be open to meeting people, but keep your wits about you. Foreigners are often targeted mainly for money of course. But, overall, even in the center, it was safe at night. There's plenty of people. Sometimes, though they are rowdy other foreigners.

Absolutely! There are things that I would do differently, and I would want to feel more prepared for the language, but

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

My mom and I went over a budget for me based on my income and some money slc reimbursed that would have gone to education anyway. It's different for everyone. But, mainly if you don't go overboard, there was plenty that you can do on a budget. Also, having meals 5 days a week really helped because there's a dinner you have planned into your living expenses. Just like living on campus. Sure, more money was spent to see museums and buy things. But, Middlebury trips are mostly part of your tuition or for a very small fee.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

The Middlebury language pledge states that you will only speak the target language while abroad. Of course, with your friends you break it sometimes. But even in the academic classroom, it can be hard. For beginners that pledge was eased into, as we came in not knowing anything. But, this is a big part of Middlebury, which is why I chose the program. I really wanted to learn another language.

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• Host Family

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• Local Students
• Host Family

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• Americans

• Language and culture immersion
• Museum trips and weekend trips
• Home family

• Beginning track immersion with other students in other tracks
• More details about the day trips before signing up
• Home family expectations

The Academic or Linguist