An endeavor that made me grow out of my comfort zone! January 04, 2022
By Melanie (Muhlenberg College) - abroad from 06/05/2021 to 06/27/2021 with
SAI Study Abroad: Florence - Florence University of the Arts (FUA)
I learned how to be more open minded, act culturally appropriate, and to be more independent. All these skills I developed were defiantly worthwhile and applicable to other parts of my life moving forward.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was amazing and very helpful the whole time I was residing in Florence! |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I did not expect them to be that nice to be honest! We were placed in a residential neighborhood, living next to all Italian neighbors for the full Italian experience. |
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no health issues on my trip |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe, often saw the police walking around along with the army around the Duomo. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Florence was the perfect city for me. I felt very safe and knew my way around with out the gps by the end of my 3 week trip! |
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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent about $300 each week on food and other expenses. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I would suggest to get a currency translator app, since euros are a little more expensive than dollars and we often forget that when we swipe our card! |
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? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate Italian |
| 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? | Get a CD so you can practice pronunciation in the car! |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The laundry situation- was not prepared! The exchange rate in Italy- expensive! |
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. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Art and Architecture in Florence and Tuscany |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Cecilia Ricci |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | The course was moderately challenging for we had to memorize a lot of history in ancient Florence. We went on a field trip to Lucca which was a very fun and interactive experience. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | I did not have any issues transferring my credit to my home university. |
