The best experience of my life! Past Review
By A student (Syracuse University) - abroad from 08/01/2015 to 12/08/2015 with
Syracuse University: Florence - Syracuse University in Florence
I learned Italian, how to navigate in a country without fully knowing the language, and my classes were relevant to my academic goals. (Major in anthropology with a focus in Classical archaeology). It was absolutely worthwhile.
Review Photos
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my host family. 5 years later and we still talk and I visited them in 2019! |
| * 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? |
The only health care I used was through the university’s health office. Not sure who the woman was (doctor or nurse?) but I felt judged by her for the reason I needed to be seen. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe. I suggest staying in groups at night. I was followed one time when I was alone. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I love Italy. The food, culture, and people were wonderful. Syracuse allowed students to be independent while also being there to guide you. I have no complaints. |
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) |
Mid program I had to start skipping lunches to save money. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Honestly I don’t remember. I’m guessing about $50-100/week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | There’s a grocery store around the corner from the villa Rossa that has cheap sandwiches for lunch. Instead of using the student travel companies when you’re going to other countries try to make arrangements on your own through Airbnb with friends. |
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 |
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| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I never took an Italian class |
| 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? | Practice with your host family. When at restaurants or shops speak in Italian. The locals appreciate the effort and will correct you if you made a mistake. Although sometimes they will respond in English and ignore your Italian lol |
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? | To save more money. My family and I did not expect the expenses to be so high. |
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! |
