Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Can I go back and live there? Past Review

By (Stephen F. Austin State University) - abroad from 05/21/2019 to 06/06/2019 with

Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA): Renaissance Art in Italy Up Close

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned more about the political history of Florence and how it inpacted the Renaissance and art world we know today. Also learned more about biblical figures from artworks and how much Catholic churches influenced or commissioned artists to come up with their subject matter.

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.

Lots of information given in a short amount of time; Intense in the way that you had to do so much in one day, wake up early, travel for hours and hours, get back, eat dinner, write in daily journals, read 40 pages for the next chapter of our textbook, go to bed and repeat the next morning. I'm sure that everyone gave up on the textbook pages because they were printed poorly and some pages were way too dark to see and others were so faded they were illegible. But we made due with what we had and Jill's knowledge.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was great in both Florence and Rome. Giuseppe was awesome and the nuns were super sweet ladies.

* Food:

Food was delicious, although we didn't get to try much else of anything for budget and time reasons. Pasta, pizza and sandwiches, and desserts were amazing.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There are a lot of tour groups where we were, so it was hard to really stand out of the crowd until we try to speak with the locals. For the most part no one seems to care why you're there.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Always have a friend or a buddy with you. Specifically one who got an international plan so if you manage to get lost then you can find your way. I always seemed to get turned around no matter where we were, but since i was always with somebody or with the group i never felt in danger.

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

It was wonderful to see Renaissance art in person and still where most of it was created or placed originally. The process to get there was overwhelming and hectic, but it was worth it.

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? Less than $100-125?

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* 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?
  • Seeing famous works
  • Food
* What could be improved?
  • None that I can think of
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To relax more and enjoy my time there since it was so short.

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!