Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Take me back! February 09, 2021

By (University of Michigan - Ann Arbor) - abroad from 05/17/2018 to 06/24/2018 with

Studio Arts College International (SACI): Florence - SACI in Florence, Summer

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Bring your walking shoes if you take the Art History course, we basically went everywhere and saw everything there was to see during class and weekend field trips! This class was like a private guided tour with a teacher that knew everything about Art History of the era.

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

Everyone there was so nice and very helpful because they knew we basically knew nothing about the area. I felt like I could ask them for any advice and I felt really safe in the school.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I got an Airbnb instead of paying for student housing, which saved me some money!

* Food:

Of course the food is so good! Some of the food in the city center is a tourist trap and has higher prices, so just research and see where locals prefer to hang out. We ended up walking to further areas around Florence sometimes to get a different experience.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Felt like a local by the end. They helped give you all the basics "do"s and "don't"s of locals so that you don't stick out as a tourist.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

N/A

* Safety:

I felt safe as long as I watched my stuff and didn't fall for any of the people that are looking for tourists to get money from. Overall just have common sense and if you are out at night try to be with friends! I felt safe walking alone in the day time and there are plenty of police around the city center.

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

SACI is great and I felt like I got a lot for the money.

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)

I kind of went all out and spent a lot of money on food, but I could have easily cooked more at home and saved money. It is worth it to save up just for food so you feel like you can eat what you want! I didn't really spend money on clothes or trinkets.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Classes
  • Food
  • Field Trips
* What could be improved?
  • Student Housing price
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had planned some of my weekend getaways better, but they were fun to do on the spur of the moment.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A 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.