Italia with SAI Past Review
By emily.neuman.5 (University of Arkansas - Fayetteville) - abroad from 01/26/2012 to 05/11/2012 with
SAI Study Abroad: Florence - Florence University of the Arts (FUA)
Yes, it was definitely worthwhile to go abroad and I recommend it to everyone!
Personal Information
| 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 |
Our on-site administration for SAI in Florence were available but consistently late to events and a bit disorganized. Their office was tiny and hard to find at first. Very nice people though. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My apartment was a good sized and I was overall pleased with my apartment and roommate situation. |
| * 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? |
I do not think health issues were ever addressed during the program. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe in my apartment and in the city of Florence. |
| 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) |
My roommates and I cooked at our apartment on the week days so that was not very expensive at all. What was costly was the weekend trips/excusions. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan weekend trips ahead of time and do not go out to eat all the time. |
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? | 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? | 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? | Take a basic language class before departure so you are knowledgeable with common phrases used. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | I wish I would have known that not all SAI students are located near one another but rather scattered through out the city. |
