Florence, Italy: The story of how I contracted the travel bug! Past Review
By Kaitlin S (Art Therapy, Marywood University) for
Studio Arts College International (SACI): Florence - SACI in Florence, Summer
It led me to study abroad two more times. Once in London, England and once in Paris, France (week long programs, that I also wish were longer!) I cannot get enough of travel and I love to experience the diversity of the people, food, cultures, art etc. in the world! It just opens your eyes to how beautiful this place is!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It is highly uncommon that your environment is your textbook photo. What could be better than studying Renaissance Art in the place where it was born?! During my Early Renaissance Art History course, our class did not spend a single moment in a traditional classroom, Tuscany was our classroom. Taking Basic Photography in Italy couldn't have been better any place else either. What could be better than a class thats coursework is litterally producing high quality personally made souveniers? I learned how to take a photograph, not just a picture and it has changed the way I look at photography and art overall dramatically! The workload, and grading were just fine especially considering the rapid nature of a 5 week program. SACI is a close knit community, similar to Marywood, but even smaller, everyone knows everyone! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The teachers were more than accessible and ready to help with any issue that arose throughout the course. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The aparmtent was great! Plenty of kitchen supplies, sheets/blankets, books/guides, and excellent proximity to the city center and school. I was there during a heatwave with no air conditioning, but even that was an experience, again out of the old comfort zone and into a new one! |
| * Food: |
It's ITALY...IT-A-LY ..The food was spectacular! I needn't say more! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | under 100 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget yourself, follow your budget and you're golden! |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | If your an art student, do not hesitate to go to this program! I guarantee you will love it, and if you don't, well I'll be damned! |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Early Renaissance Art History |
| Course Department: | Art |
| Instructor: | Hellen Watterson |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Fast paced, lots of information, excelent experience! |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Basic Photography |
| Course Department: | Art |
| Instructor: | Helen Hoffelt |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Changed my entire view of the world, of art, and of photography itself as a medium! |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | no |
