My Success at Florence University of the Arts Past Review

By Amanda W (Philosophy, Politics, Law, SUNY - Binghamton) for

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

Yes it was worthwhile! I would do it all over again in a heartbeat! I learned a lot about myself as well as about Italian culture in general. I can now also temper chocolate, pick wines out, and speak better Italian.

Personal Information

The term and year this program took place:	Fall 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	I came to Italy to learn about Italian culture, and all the courses I took while abroad certainly helped me to do just that. All of the professors are so knowledgeable in their field that you just HAVE to learn at least something from them. The courses taught were also very interesting and helpful to life after college... not just useless information that you forget about after finals.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	They seemed to assume that everyone studying abroad through their program was rich... and a lot of their suggestions for food/drink and trip excursions had a steep price.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I lived in a 2 bedroom apartment on Via Romana south of the Ponte Vecchio. It was a quaint quiet part of town, which was both good and bad. <br /><br /> The area I lived in was great to be immersed in Italian life, but not to meet other people studying abroad who share similar interests or even a similar language to mine. We were the only two that had a 45 minute walk to class every day in one direction. Everyone else in the program lived right in the center of things and near other study abroad students.
* Food:	The food was fabulous... because I cooked almost all of the time! Florence is expensive! But my favorite restaurant that wont break your wallet is La Casa Linga.
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	The optional excursions they planned were so ridiculously expensive that it was not even close to being a deal.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	Florence is a very safe city... and as such I felt very safe there. I would recommend for girls to not walk alone by themselves while drunk at night... but I wouldn't do that at home either...
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes

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)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	I was not really prepared for how expensive the food was going to be in Florence. Actually, everything was a lot more expensive in Florence than I anticipated... except for wine sold in supermarkets. Hotels are also not cheap.

Language

Language acquisition improvement?	I became more and more confident in my Italian speaking abilities as a result of my study abroad experience.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Apartment
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I liked FUA very much... I was able to incorporate Italian class with Wine and Chocolate classes... I'd say that it was a successful semester.