Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Overall good! February 02, 2021

By (Miami University) - abroad from 06/28/2018 to 07/30/2018 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Cultural and worldly perspective, independence , problem solving

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I would only say it was rigorous because the classes were 10 hours long every day! The work itself was not too difficult which was nice because being in a different country is already difficult

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Helpful and could speak English well!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Close by and good enough!

* Food:

I honestly didn’t eat very great food while I was there because I didn’t know where the best places were and no one gave recommendations

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Definitely felt like a tourist. Wasn’t introduced to anyone local

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

My roommate had an allergic reaction to peanuts and we had to call the ambulance and they barely spoke English and did not know how to communicate well or take us seriously. When we got to the hospital they took her back and wouldn’t tell me anything for 4 hours and then eventually I just went back and found her sitting in the hallway by herself on an IV. Not a great system. Then we had to walk home at 4 am and go to class the next morning

* Safety:

Overall, great safety advice. I felt safe when I was with the school! Not as much when I was on my own

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I got to learn new skills and have cool projects! Did not love being in class for 10 hours at a time though

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)

Can’t really remember

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I don’t know maybe 200?
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Not really!

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

  • International Students
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?
  • Studio spaces
  • Field trips
  • Location
* What could be improved?
  • Better communication about what the daily life of a student looks like
  • More recommendations for restaurants and places to visit
  • I’m sure it’s unlikely, but air conditioning!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? What to do in an emergency

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.