Finding the Italians Hidden Amongst the Americans in Florence Past Review
By Rachel M (VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS., Trinity University) for
Syracuse University: Florence - Syracuse University in Florence
I loved being in Europe. I loved traveling, and trying new foods, and seeing new places. If I had it to change I would pick a different city to live in.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It was great for the art and art history classes to be in the atmosphere of Florence and surrounded by all of the art we were learning about in class. I'd say that aspect of learning outside of the classroom with site visits, etc was the biggest difference from SUF and my American university. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The office was very helpful and knowledgeable! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
I'm not extremely picky, but all the food my host mom made was fabulous! And if she could tell we really liked a dish she would make it again. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The day trips that SUF put on each weekend at the beginning of the semester were wonderful. They gave us a chance to really take advantage of our surrounding towns and cities, and see places we might have overlooked on our own. It was also before we knew how to plan trips on our own, so it was a great way to be guided into traveling on our own. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Our program worked hard to scare us during orientation so we were pretty cautious. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Traveling is a lot more expensive than you think it will be. Take advantage of your home country and take day trips! Those were some of my favorite places, and they didn't have the added expense of hostels or flights. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
In Florence, where just about everyone speaks English to you, it was crucial that this program has the host family aspect. Had I not stayed with a host family, my Italian skills would not have come near as far. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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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? | There isn't much diversity in the program. It's all American students, mostly from expensive northeast colleges, and it is very difficult to befriend Italians and other people outside the program. The academics are great though, and the actual school is adorable. |
