A really memorable, excellent experience. Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The Leonardo da Vinci class was a lot of fun and Dr. Zaloga was definitely a very informative teacher. I also really enjoyed working with the entrepreneurs of the SEEDLAB program, as well as attending the lectures in brand management, etc hosted for SEEDLAB. Professors Spini and Anselmi were definitely the highlight of my experience at SU Florence. The conversational Italian class was tons of fun, quirky, and super easy. Academically, SUF Florence is the best way to learn and enjoy yourself during the summer.

On-site administration of your program

Overall, they are fine...Unless you have a documents inquiry/problem which would require a great deal of emailing, nagging, screaming and pushing on your part.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

the housing with the host family was a bit of a culture shock because I came to Italy with the large stereotype in my mind of the perfect, warm, close-knit Italian famiglia who is constantly feeding you, and whose entire goal for the summer is to hug you, try to make you comfortable, as well as make you a part of their family. Well, I was wrong. The living quarters that I had were quite good, but the family itself resembled a typical dysfunctional and detached modern American family. While they lived up to the famous Italian bickering, it was their utter indifference and detachment that was really appalling. I was fortunate, however, to have been exposed to the older generations of my host family who treated me to family dinners, took me to their old family estate in the heart of Chianti, and overall improved my outlook on the Italian family institution. However, some of my peers weren't so fortunate. Some had to even pay for the use of wifi in their host quarters.

Oh my goodness! This was the worst part of it! I don't bar-hop, which would make any food taste better after a few shots, so I got to struggle first-hand with the Italian food. It is flavorless, WAAAAY overpriced, and limited. And the water in Italy is INSANELY expensive due to the summer's heat, so be prepared to cash out a large portion of your money not for the food but for the beverages to keep you alive in the heat. My #1 recommendation is EDI HOUSE a few steps off from the SUF campus. It's pricey, but the food is quite decent. (Tip: go for their pizzas, you'll love the size!) And any gnocchi is a safe bet, and the best food you will have in Italy.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The Italians, generally, are very much like Americans. However, I personally felt a lot safer in Rome than Florence. The men in Florence are terrible! They whistle at you, honk at you, make all kinds of remarks, and they are capable of anything. So to be safe do not wear any short skirts. In fact my friend, who lives in Florence, wears shorts under her skirts because it so happened several times that the men would simply lift her skirt in the middle of the day, on the streets, among crowds, just to get a quick thrill. If you want to see some of the best people in Italy go to Venice. They are wonderful! Very cultured, refined, polite, etc.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Florence does not feel safe at all. Pickpocketing is a major problem, and it is something which the SUF staff constantly reminds you to look out for. American students should also take heed of the trouble they can get into if they drink too much and start causing disturbances. The Italians are prepared to take action against you...with one particular case noted by the SUF staff being an American student who got stabbed by an Italian because that student got drunk, and being in an unfamiliar setting, wondered into the wrong apartment building and tried to break in into what he presumed was his host family's apartment. And suffice it to say, the owner acted in self-denfence. And as I mentioned before, the Italian men in Florence are terrible! Always try to travel with a walking buddy who is male.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

The water, the food! Oh my goodness! SOOOO expensive! Especially if you go to places like Capri, you will find prices that will make your eyes pop! The same can be said for anything in Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan...stay away! But the best part was definitely Florence For Fun which allowed many of us to travel to numerous places without breaking the bank too much.

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• Host Family

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• Host Family

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• Americans

• the internship component, the support of the student life office, the mentoring of Professors Spini and Anselmi
• the wine receptions, the cooking classes
• the location, the school facility

• the library: I tried to check out several books for my research, and while told that they were available, the librarian and myself were surprised to find them not on the shelf! And nowhere in the library! The facility is very cramped, limited and tiny.
• The Skype Room/Computer Lab. There was never any reception in the Skype Room, and the computers in the computer lab never worked.