A Semester in Florence Past Review

By (George Washington University) - abroad from 09/07/2019 to 12/13/2019 with

Syracuse University: Florence - Syracuse University in Florence

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was worthwhile because I got to see so many cool new places.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I felt like I was learning but the school work did not hinder my ability to explore Europe. Some professors were not that great, but it ended up working out fine.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

This program was very well-organized (except for scheduling fall break when the national train strike annually occurs). Living with a host-family could be stressful, but overall the experience was fun.

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? Not too much.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Traveling around Europe is the norm for students of this program, make sure you budget plenty of extra money for air fares, hostels, general experiences, and emergencies.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
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? IB Italian
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 with your host family as much as possible.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • pre-departure online resources
  • range of classes
  • school trips
* What could be improved?
  • more school trips
  • more financial aid
  • increased accommodation during strikes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The culture of traveling every weekend.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.