Incredible but too short (COVID-19). February 16, 2021
By Sofia George (American University) - abroad from 01/09/2020 to 03/09/2020 with
Studio Arts College International (SACI): Venice - SACI in Venice, Summer
I loved tutoring local Italian children a program offered by SACI
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. |
Classes were very engaging and required sufficient work with a Bachelors Program. The field-style classes that took place in museums and galleries was very beneficial. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very strong and helpful administration |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I loved SACI and they made Florence accessible and enjoyable |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | €20 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | make sure to have cash on you at all times it is easier to keep track of finances |
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 |
I was fluent in Italian when I arrived and many professors were happy to speak to me in Italian so I could practice |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Italian Advanced Independent Study |
| 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? | Speak Italian as much as you can and try to watch/listen to Italian media before you arrive |
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? | The difficulty dealing with the Italian Government |
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! |
