NYU in Florence Past Review
By A student (HISTORY., Trinity University) - abroad from 01/28/2014 to 05/16/2014 with
New York University: Florence - NYU in Florence
I learned a lot about myself and how I react/adapt.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes were very Florence-info/history based,which was great because you're living in and exploring a city that holds so much history, but there was much more work involved than I anticipated, which kept me from traveling as much as I wanted to and some of my other friends in other programs did |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The faculty were very nice and very willing to help and answer questions and adjustments to such a new living experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in an on-campus villa rather than an apartment. There are definitely pros and cons for both, but it's really just personal preference. I would probably choose an apartment if I were to go again. |
| * Food: |
Since I lived in the villas, I had a meal plan for the small dining hall. Some of the food was alright, but I have some diet limitations and there were some nights where I really didn't get to eat. But I had paid for the meal plan rather than having groceries and living in an apartment, so I didn't really have a choice. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Not that much since interaction on a daily basis since I didn't have to leave campus for class or a meal out. Of course I left campus and went to the center a couple of times a week, but I really wish I could have spend more time in the Duomo city center. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not run into any health related issues, but a doctor was available on campus several days a week. |
| * Safety: |
The campus is gated, ID necessary for entry. 100% safe. I never felt unsafe in the city, but it's better to have a buddy (ESPECIALLY after dark.) Never be alone after dark. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
It really depends on how much you've saved and budgeted for being abroad. I did quite fine. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 15-50 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Work your butt off at home while you can. I always knew I was going to study abroad and had been saving for years. I had about $5,000 in my savings just for travel and personal expenses since my parents paid the tuition/board/etc. I was able to experience some really cool stuff, and I appreciate those experiences so much more since I know that I worked so hard to get there. |
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 |
In our language class, it was obviously encouraged to speak as much Italian as possible. But almost everyone in the city speaks english and once they figured out we were American they would speak to us in English, even when we tried to speak Italian. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 4 and Italian 1. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
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? | How much time would have to be dedicated to school. It sounds dumb, but honestly this program was much more academically rigorous than friends's programs abroad. I feel like I didn't get to travel as much as I could have because I had to stay behind and work. But just explore and travel as much you can. Get to know your new city. Go on a walk. Travel locally too, neighboring cities. If you can't go away for weekends, go for a day. Just take it all in. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
