Amazing Past Review
By A student (University of Florida) - abroad from 05/27/2018 to 06/23/2018 with
SAI Study Abroad: Florence - Florence University of the Arts (FUA)
I gained life lasting friendships, learned that traveling with less is better, sharing a meal with friends is one of the most enjoyable things, and sometimes the best things in life happen when you least expect it.
Review Photos
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. |
There were many resources available, the professors were always willing to help, and the environment was awesome |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
FUA was available during the day for any students to ask questions for just about anything. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my apartment. It was exactly what any local would've lived in and allowed me to really feel like I was immersing myself in Italian culture. |
| * Food: |
The food was absolutely incredible. We (my roommates and I) grocery shopped as well as went out to eat and both experiences were amazing. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Given that I didn't know any Italian, it was hard to feel like I completely fit in, but over time, that feeling went away and as I explored more and got more comfortable with the culture, I felt more integrates. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Health issues were brought up, but I don't know what I would've done had I been very sick, to the point of a doctors visit or hospitalization. But the SAI staff was always in touch with their students and they would've been my first contact had I found myself in any situation like that. |
| * Safety: |
I felt safe in my apartment with my roommates, and if it was late we were always with each other, not alone. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Studying abroad with SAI was the best decision I made all year. I met my best friends, expanded my travel experiences, learned so many new things, saw some of the most historical sites in the world, and had the best summer of my life. |
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 is not cheap to study abroad, so if you find yourself struggling with finances I would make out a plan before you leave because once you arrive then things differ. Going to get food with people is a big part of socializing, so be prepared to spend money going out to get food or going on weekend trips. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | for food I would have to say about 100 euros per week. If you want to go on a weekend trip, that adds to the expenses. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan train trips a couple of days ahead of time. Try to only eat out once a day and grocery shop for 2/3 meals to save some money if you can. Participate in school related functions or gatherings because most of the time those are discounted for students. |
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 |
They encourages us, but it was ultimately up to us how we wanted to immerse ourselves. |
| 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? | 2 years of spanish |
| 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 class!! |
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? | Bring more pants for next time because you will feel like you fit in more if you are wearing something similar to what the locals wear. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
