Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

I met amazing, passionate people & fell in love with the Italian culture. Past Review

By (Fine and Studio Arts, Trinity University) - abroad from 09/08/2014 to 12/19/2014 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I think in some ways I became more independent (after living in dorms and having meal plans for the last 2 years). I also didn't know the language fluently, and learning to communicate with this limitation was a challenge that I eventually go better at. I met people from so many places and from so many backgrounds - hearing their experiences and perspectives was elemental to making my time very worthwhile. I experienced a whole different way of life in Florence as I'm used to living in big cities that require a car for transportation at all times. This different way of life of walking and buying food at the market, etc. was one of my favorite things, and something I absolutely enjoyed and want to return to.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Overall, I had a really positive experience. I had some amazing professors that were very knowledgeable, experienced, and invested with their students. Course load was less heavy than my home school, which was to be expected since it is a study abroad. However, this wasn't a detriment - what you got out of classes, to some level, depended on how much effort you put it.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

SACI is very attentive and all the administration was ready to talk to you one on one if a problem arose.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I had an amazing location, with amazing people.

* Food:

This really wasn't something dependent of the program, since there are no meal plans. Food in Italy is amazing, but expensive.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I went to Italy for art and not really for the language, so I didn't really have any experience with Italian prior. Knowing little Italian, it was really hard to really meet locals, etc. I did feel a part of Florentine life, but I wish SACI did more to help students be more active in local events with Italians and locals (especially for those who do have more experience and interest in Italian).

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I always felt ver safe in Florence. People are out and about until very late at night so for the most part there was always people walking around when I got back from late nights out.

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)

I felt that it was a struggle to live on a student budget especially with buying art supplies pretty consistent throughout the semester. Because of this I ended up traveling less that I wish I had.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The professors I had.
  • The people I met.
  • My apartment location.
* What could be improved?
  • The program could have made it to meet other students in the program (not just those in the classes I had).
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I would have considered staying for more than a semester, since I felt that I had to leave once I had just started adapting more to my life.

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 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.