Perfect! Past Review

By (Historic Preservation, Roger Williams University) - abroad from 01/10/2012 to 05/05/2012 with

Roger Williams University - Florence Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was completely worthwhile and I gained a much greater understanding of italian culture. It was a life-defining experience.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Most students wasted their money constantly eating out and buying alcohol. Shop carefully: for instance, go to the central market for cheap vegetables and COOP for cheap dry goods like pasta.

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
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? None
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? Go to the language tandems, you meet nice people and get to speak Italian.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • The city of Florence
  • The ease of travel
  • The food, culture, and people
* What could be improved?
  • Selection should be more rigorous; some of the people allowed to study abroad were a national embarrassment and should have their passports revoked.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I feel like I knew everything I needed to. Anything I didn't know wasn't necessary and came as a pleasant surprise.