Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Highly Recommend! September 04, 2025

By (Interior Architecture and Design, Colorado State University) - abroad from 06/09/2025 to 07/27/2025 with

SAI Study Abroad: Florence - Florence University of the Arts (FUA)

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to navigate unfamiliar environments and critical problem solving skills in the time of a stressful crisis.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Amazing! It was such a crazy life changing experience, I loved my class and SAI was so incredibly helpful along the way. Any question I had, before, during, or after, was answered efficiently and effectively. I never felt like I was alone in a foreign country which is super important when you're out there. They also provided so many awesome and unique experiences that are included with your tuition, which I highly recommend! I will always recommend SAI to anyone wanting to go abroad.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Everyone was so helpful, there were so many ways to get in contact with anyone there with anything I needed.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

My housing arrangements were less than fortunate, but I was able to make the most of it.

* Food:

The very helpful SAI staff guided us through what it was like to buy groceries in Italy, where to get it, and everything we needed to know to ensure we got what we needed.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The SAI Viva Experiences were such a great way to get to know other students and experience the culture in incredibly unique and fun ways.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Insurance was included with tuition, and any emergency numbers and contacts were given and reminded of at the beginning of the stay to ensure everyone felt comfortable in the case of an emergency.

* Safety:

I always felt safe throughout my time there, especially since SAI was always available to answer any question or provide anything I needed to ensure my safety.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

SAI was amazingly helpful in every way, and made sure we got the most out of our experience while still keeping us safe.

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)

Italy's groceries and other purchases were very inexpensive.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • The Pre-departure Checklist
  • The Location
  • The Viva Experiences
* What could be improved?
  • N/A
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Culture shock is a real thing (and how to deal with it), and prepare for a lot of walking!

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!