Culture shock for sure, but great experience Past Review
By A student (California State Polytechnic University, Pomona) - abroad from 06/28/2019 to 07/25/2019 with
Study Abroad at SRISA: Accredited Summer - Fine Arts, Liberal Arts and Design
Learned a lot about what I want to do for future careers. Definitely was worthwhile!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The course I took was Trend Forecasting for the Italian Industry. It was fun, yet I learned a lot, was very interactive; went to museums and a trade show as well. Professor was very sweet and understanding, was always there to answer any questions about assignments. Although there was no online platform where you could see grades posted/only relayed through email. As well as the study guide being sent less than 48 hours before the exam and it being 16 pages long....But the test was very easy. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff that I saw each day was always helpful when I needed something, or tried to help me to the best of their abilities. My professor was also always super sweet and answered my questions. Although I didn't feel super "at home" because I was only there for a month; in a different country. I didn't really get a "ciao" when I came or went from the school, which probably would have made me feel a little bit more comfortable. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I housed with CEA. I did not like them nearly as much as I liked SRISA. But I did not house with SRISA. CEA was very overpriced and left everything up to us, which was nice to have freedom but I had so much freedom that I didn't know what to do with it a lot of the time. It was just so hot sometimes that I had to take a nap just from walking somewhere outside. |
| * Food: |
Food wasn't provided, so not sure what I am rating here. I bought all my own food, cooked in almost everynight except for a couple times a week. It would have been nice to have food included, and maybe have a cafeteria to get to know people. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
People were really nice! I have some social anxiety, and felt that there were definitely cliques; people that came from the same University and major. Whereas I came alone, not knowing anyone. I did make a couple friends with SRISA but we never really met up, or when we tried to it didn't workout. Probably would have been better if I was housing wit SRISA. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
Got cat called 6 plus times a day. Got used to putting my headphones in and ignoring men on the way to class. Sunglasses are super nice, don't have to make eyecontact with anyone. Walking back at night was worse. I lived in a sketchy part of town where my roommate and I would almost always get followed and catcalled. We sadly got used to all of this and got passed it.I know its sad, but its their culture! Men are pigs! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I would choose SRISA, not CEA. |
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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100-170 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | dont eat out |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That SRISA does housing, and I could have housed with them instead; would have been closer to class everyday. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Trend Forecasting for the Italian Industry |
| Course Department: | SRISA |
| Instructor: | E. Guidato |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | The course was not too challenging, but it was exciting, engaging and kept me on my toes. Took the most amazing field trips to trade shows and the Gucci Gardens, as well as museums for costume designers. The professor was very knowledgable about the subject, especially when we went to museums, or the Gucci Garden. I participated more than I would have at my home institution. I think this was due to smaller class size, it being summer in Florence, and everyone felt, laid back, or at ease more so than during the school year. We had one 4-page paper that we had to write with a partner- pretty difficult to determine writing styles and splitting the paper up. I used Adobe Illustrator for our Trend assignment; 2 pages of trend collages, and one page of typed explanation for the two pages. I used AI again for our collage color/brainstorm assignment. And I just used Google Slides for our final Trend Forecasting project; we had to work in a group of 3, and be able to work in the same program. The assignments were all emailed in, which I found to be a little unprofessional and scary; I have had teachers at my home university tell me that I will not get credit for assignments if I simply email it. It was a very laid back, and fun class. I put my hard work in, which the professor could see, and that is why I got such a good grade. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | I haven't actually received my transcript yet, but SRISA emailed me my grade, which I am very happy about. I suggest that even if you are thinking of studying abroad, go to your department chair, or academic advisor, and ask them if any of the classes you are interested in have already been approved, or used before by other students. It is a very long, and annoying process; having to get signatures and multiple acceptances from; the Dean, Department chair, Study Abroad board, academic advisor, and finally the place that you are trying to get accepted into for studying abroad. It doesn't hurt to just ask your academic advisor even if you are just thinking about it; they are there to help you. |
