Italy saved my soul September 08, 2023

By Mickey F (Italian Language, Literature, Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/06/2023 to 06/16/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Florence

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned a lot of practical things about living abroad and about Italian culture, but on a deeper level, I feel like I discovered a lot about myself and kind of found myself anew. It was more than worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	My host family was one of the best parts of my experience in Italy, they were better than I could've imagined!
* Food:	Best food I've ever had
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	With the help of my host family and my knowledge of Italian, I felt that I integrated very well
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes I really feel like this program changed my life. It was the best it could've been. The size, the staff, the faculty and the program overall made for an ideal time.

Finances

* 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)	WIth my homestay, I feel that it was easy to live on a budged because they made me food basically every day
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	Maybe around 50 dollars
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Don't feel pressure to travel every single weekend, get to know the city you're living in!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language? 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language	There was a constant encouragement to speak Italian, for which I am grateful
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?	A 300 level course
How many hours per day did you use the language?	10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants?	Live with a homestay family if possible! It makes all the difference

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Host Family
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	The other students, both from Middlebury and other universities, were all wonderful The faculty and staff were amazing I was matched with an amazing host family
* What could be improved?	Maybe the stylistics course
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Nothing, I feel like I was well prepared

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 Blazer Craving 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:	Dante
Course Department:	Literature
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Italian
Comments:	This course was my favorite one in Italy; the professor was so knowledgeable and passionate and I was inspired by every lecture. The presentations were beautiful and I learned a lot about Dante and Italian culture.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No issues

Course Name/Rating:	Stilistica
Course Department:	Language
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Italian
Comments:	It was decently challenging and engaging. I did feel that the overall trajectory of the curriculum was kind of disorganized and I wished we had approached reading and grammar in a more methodical way.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No issues

Course Name/Rating:	Cibo nell'Arte
Course Department:	Art History
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Italian
Comments:	Fascinating and engaging course, our professor was extremely knowledgeable and constantly engaged us in the work.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No issues