Mi manchi. A presto, Firenze Past Review
By Zeina (Maryland Institute College of Art) - abroad from 09/07/2015 to 12/18/2015 with
Studio Arts College International (SACI): Florence - SACI in Florence
How to be on my own. How to cherish life for its little things. Take risks. It was for sure worth it.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Some classes were harder than others. Some classes were more laid back than others. Regardless, all classes were very informative and a lot was learned. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Admin helped with whatever was needed. Only downside was other people outside of the admin were always on Italian time. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Location was amazing. The apartment itself had some issues with the kitchen area. |
| * Food: |
It's Italy, duh. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated only because of the person I am. The school didn't really help out with immersing ourselves in the culture, it was mostly activities within the school. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Not many health issues were an issue, but they provided us with doctor recommendations for any problems if they arises. |
| * Safety: |
Just like in every city, you must be smart. Only danger in Florence were pickpockets and gypsies. |
| 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) |
Pretty easy. Produce was cheap and cooking was fun so I don't eat out so often. Even so, restaurant prices weren't high either. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | How difficult it would be to have access to a darkroom if you weren't in the class |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
