International School made the difference Past Review
By Annie T (University of South Carolina - Columbia) - abroad from 08/20/2011 to 05/10/2012 with
SAI Study Abroad: Florence - Apicius International Culinary School of Hospitality
I spent the best nine months of my life in Italy. I would do it again in a heartbeat. The relationships and friendships I gained from all over the world are priceless. I have made so many deep connections that education cannot fill. My passion for baking and pastry has deeply strengthened and I am more motivated than ever to achieve my goals. I learned a lot about patiences. I think it is so important to learn more about other cultures.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Apicius, FUA, Squola |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
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? |
Great. I had to go to the doctor twice and it was very convenient. |
| * Safety: |
I felt super safe |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
Europe is expensive. But I ate a lot at home and went to the fresh markets. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
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 |
I was very upset with the language program. I was in Italy for 9 months and I have nothing of the language to show for it. It is silly to take Italian for one month in September only. |
| 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? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None, in Italain |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | I went to an international school with people from all over the world, many of them English is not their native tongue. Everywhere I went, class, out with friends we all spoke English. I rarely got to speak Italian except for ordering. |
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? |
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? | Nothing |
