Go go go! Past Review
By Alexandra K (Studio Arts, Baylor University) - abroad from 01/27/2014 to 05/17/2014 with
SAI Study Abroad: Florence - Florence University of the Arts (FUA)
Now I want to travel all over the world. Learned how to "go with the flow" not take everything too seriously.
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. |
The classes were less than adequate. Most of my successes were from me pushing myself. As an art major, not being able to get in the studio unless I class was a immense disappointment. It caused my work to be less than I wanted. However I pushed myself,and taught myself |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Unorganized |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Good apartments, nice amenities and good area to be in. |
| * Food: |
Loved the food, everything was amazing |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Very, most of my friends were local italians |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Fairly safe, the guys harass you, and it's not very safe at night at all. |
| 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) |
150-200 a week |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 200-250 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Find cheap places to eat early on. Eat at cafés |
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? | 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? | No Italian before, three semesters of german |
| 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? | Order in the language, ask locals for help. They love teaching you. Make friends who are locals |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? |
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? | That the school would be so easy |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
