Firenze, che bella! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I found that it was extremely helpful and educational for me as a painting and art history major to take a lot of trips around the country, and to see a lot of art (most of it famous works that I have been studying for years through textbooks). There is so much to see, even just in Florence itself. Make sure to take advantage of it, and if possible take an AH with an "On-site" component.

On-site administration of your program

The faculty at SACI were very helpful in answering any questions you had about coursework, or the city itself. Especially helpful are the front desk staff at the SACI main building. They are a more immediately available resource, and can tell you where to find or how to get to just about anything and anywhere in the city.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Our apartment was great. It's a real apartment in a real Florence apartment building with Italian residents. Our particular apartment was spacious, and already had most necessities in terms of living and cooking. It was very close to SACI buildings, and only 2 blocks from the Duomo, right near the city center. I found the city to be extremely safe, so long as you are careful. You can walk around really late at night, I just recommend staying on main roads, and with at least one or two other people, just in case. I found that people there generally mind their own business, though it seemed girls had to be more careful as the men in Florence can be very forward.

SACI didn't have anything to offer students in the way of food, however, they can tell you all the great places to find it. Florence itself has some really good things out there to find. The central market is incredible for just about everything fresh and cheap, so you can cook for yourself. There are also some great restaurants but do some exploring off the beaten paths to find the really good and reasonably priced ones. Usually if there are a lot of Italians eating there, it's a pretty good place. Availability of coffee and sandwiches is great, you can get them just about anywhere. Storefronts and cafes do tend to close earlier in the evening when abroad.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Florence is a great city, and though it's relatively small, there is always a lot going on, and a lot of things to do and see. There is a nightlife though it can sometimes be hidden off the beaten track. Definitely see all the museums and palaces and cathedrals. And take advantage of as many of the field trips as possible, SACI offers a good deal of them. By the end of my 4 months, I found I had made friends even among the city's cafe owners and shopkeepers, where I had visited regularly.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have any specific health issues to attend to. it seemed as though SACI would do what they could to help you take care of what you need. It is a different healthcare system abroad, and some students had a little trouble finding things like medicines (even as simple as allergy medicine) and contact lenses, that were the equivalent of their home products. Also, the quality of food is different, more natural with less preservatives, and with pretty much no high fructose corn syrup (which the US puts in almost everything). This is a really great thing, however, be careful of what you eat for the time immediately after your return to the US. The milk in Italy is particularly fresh, and I haven't had an easy time with milk since my return. They don't give you space below, so I'll write it here: be careful with your funds, and keep a bit in mind for unexpected expenses, especially during the first few weeks. We were never warned by MICA or SACI that it was absolutely necessary for every single student to purchase Italian health insurance, a permit of stay, and a field trip deposit all in the first two weeks. I think it set me back about 200 euro right from the start.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Select all that apply

• Apartment

Select all that apply

• Americans