Challenging but Fun January 30, 2023
By Inaijah-Iman I (Italian, Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/05/2022 to 12/07/2022 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Florence
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was worthwhile and I gained a lot of confidence in my knowledge of Italy.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
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: |
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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: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved Florence and do think my italian improved, but I think the program didn't do it's best showing me the culture of Italy or taking me on trips; the overall immersion was something I had to do myself |
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? | 100 or less |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Never accept conversion fees at atms Ask host family if wiring the money is an option for rent Try to open a bank account here to save from conversion fees Go to SandwiChic for cheap lunches and trattorias away from popular tourist spots Bargain in italian when buying clothing or accessories Budget, budget, budget |
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? | 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? | 252 |
| 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? | Listen to music in that language Talk talk talk (even with strangers) Watch movies and shows dubbed in that language (if not available watch it with subtitles in that language— limit your exposure to your first language) Change phone settings to that language |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Travel and talk to friends. Class is important but it is not the place to experience Italy and you should give yourself the space to do that. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Estetica |
| Course Department: | Italian |
| Instructor: | Pf Vossilla |
| Instruction Language: | Italian |
| Comments: | |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
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