Firenze Wonderful Experience Past Review
By Irma L (Sociology., University of California - Riverside) - abroad from 08/27/2012 to 12/13/2012 with
University of California EAP (UCEAP): Florence - Summer Language & Culture
I learned to improvise, keep calm, how to save money, I became so much more independent, I became brave and aware.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The program UCEAP UC CENTER FIRENZE was amazing. The classes were intensive and rigorous. I had an Italian teacher and an English speaking one. Both teachers were nice. Resources available were okay. There was not enough computers in the computer lab and there was only one tutor for about 200 students. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My on site administration was resourceful and kind. They were always eager to help me and made me feel welcomed. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was extremely satisfied with my living arrangements. I was put in a wonderful apartment complex that provided me with everything I needed such as: bedroom, restroom, living room, dining room. |
| * Food: |
I purchased my own food. My food was not provided by the program. It was expensive because I was in Europe and had to get accustomed to the euros. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Italian people were nice for the most part. The language was a barrier but I dealt with it. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I went to the doctor once because I was sick with a cold. The service was horrible. There were no English speaking doctors. And the refund took over a month to be processed. |
| * Safety: |
The city I studied at and the program were quite safe. |
| 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) |
It was hard living on a student budget. There was times when I didn't have food and lived off of cereal and bread. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 20-30 euros. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Start saving money before you leave to tudy abroad. For example. if you leave to study abroad during the FAll, get a job in Summer and do all the overtime you can. Save every penny and make a budgeting plan of monthly expenses. |
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 |
Our teacher spoke to us in Italian which forced me to learn the language and speak it. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | I had not taken any Italian prior to studying abroad. |
| 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? | STudy the grammar alot. |
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? | That it would be extremely expensive |
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! |
