Once in a lifetime experience for college Past Review
By A student (Syracuse University) - abroad from 01/05/2015 to 04/30/2015 with
Syracuse University: Florence - Syracuse University in Florence
Learning culture Learning language Independence for finances, travel, cooking Made friends Became more social
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
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? |
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| * 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? |
No issues. Do not something I encountered to provide more info |
| * Safety: |
Pretty safe. Just needed to watch out for pick pocketers |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I reminisce about going back. There are other things that I didn’t get to do during my time there. Art was amazing as well as the food. |
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) |
It wasn’t too bad. Host family gave breakfast and dinner on weekdays. Food wasn’t too expensive but were euros, which is slightly more than US dollars. I most of The cost were transaction fees and atm fees so I recommend taking a large sum of money in the beginning of the trip and maybe a little more in the middle of the trip. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take out large sums Italy has free museum passes Syracuse program has weekend trips which paid transportation Gelato was cheap Buy from the groceries when possible Talk with locals to find best restaurant such that you are not charged tourist fees ( ie tipping in tourist areas) |
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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | HS Spanish |
| 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 when interacting with locals After school program to practice Italian which locals to prescribe their English Talk with host family (dinner time is big in Italy) Try not to opt out of language class |
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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| 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? |
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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? | I wish I had taken so if the classes earlier in the year so that I have the option to choose electives in Italy. |
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! |
