A DREAM COME TRUE! March 03, 2021
By A student (University of Wisconsin - Madison) - abroad from 09/10/2019 to 12/19/2019 with
Studio Arts College International (SACI): Florence - SACI in Florence
I learned so much, but most importantly I learned I can build a community wherever I go as long as I remain myself and surround myself with kind people.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very communicative and helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Amazing housing made available to students of SACI! Loved my location and roommates |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Such a wonderful job by SACI in getting students integrated as members of society in Firenze. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Never an issue for me. |
| * Safety: |
I felt extremely safe and well cared for by SACI and the city of Florence. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I really felt at home with SACI and supported by all the people and friends I made while there. |
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) |
Fairly easily, I had saved a lot of money to pay for my time abroad and was careful in my budgeting. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | probably around 25 euros give or take and more when buying groceries. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I would plan you budget before hand and try to stick to it as best you can and also be picky in where you go to eat and shop- there are many good places that are much cheaper if you just look for them. |
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 |
Deborah was an AMAZING Italian professor and everyone else at SACI were helpful and kind in helping you learn the language. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | beginner |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Listen and pay attention to conversations around you and practice with your friends:) Speak to each other in Italian when at a restaurant or when giving directions |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | That it really does become home. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
