SACI Florence: Not for the faint of Motivation Past Review
By Katilyn B (Art history, Maryland Institute College of Art) for
Studio Arts College International (SACI): Florence - SACI in Florence
Studying in Italy only made me want to return. Despite times when I knew the world was crashing down around me, I still was able to say, "Well, I'm in Italy. Awesome."
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. |
Educate yourself while at SACI. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They did not communicate enough with MICA students. I honestly felt a bit of animosity towards us because we came from an actual art school. This, in turn, only made the divide between MICA students and other students greater. The administration led on to the fact that the MICA program there was not fitting to their needs any more, and that they wanted full integration instead of giving us our own studio spaces. Rather than this, SACI should provide all its students with their own studio spaces. The reason we holed ourselves up in them is because they were the only places where we felt comfortable working. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I would much rather have lived with a host family. I think it would have helped me to learn the native language better. The apartments were incredible, but I still wish I was not with other Americans. |
| * Food: |
It's Italy, the food was wonderful. Even living on a budget I feel that I ate better than I do in the United States, because vegetables are far cheaper there. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There were many fundamental personality clashes between members of the program. I feel that stringent standards should be applied and adhered to, because many people at SACI were not serious students, and were only there as a vacation. However, Pasqua (Easter) was a lot of fun and something that I felt like I would only witness once in a life time. The field trips were wonderful and informative, I only wish that the other students were not as distracting. Also, the trips were a bit expensive. I'm sure the school did all it could to offset the price, but everyone's wallets were hurting. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Safety was not covered at all. Health care was costly. My asthma was really terrible due to the polution around Florence--I would highly suggest anyone who is asthmatic to pack their nebulizer, no matter how much space it takes up in their suitcase. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
It made me seriously pursue learning Italian. Even back in the US, I am constantly using it to keep myself happy. |
| 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 you feel that you are a self-motivated person, you will get a lot out of this program. However, you have to be able to chase your goals, because the school does not provide much help. |
